Party Crashers: Obama state dinner

rizzuh · 11-26-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Washington -- Two people without invitations crashed President Obama's first White House state dinner, the U.S. Secret Service said Wednesday.

The Secret Service confirmed a Washington Post report that the couple who crashed Tuesday night's dinner were Tareq and Michaele Salahi. The Post described the couple as polo-playing socialites from northern Virginia.

A Secret Service checkpoint "did not follow proper procedures" to determine if the two were on the guest list for the dinner, said Edwin M. Donovan, a Secret Service special agent, in a statement.

Playing down any security threat, Donovan's statement said: "It is important to note that these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of security, as did all guests attending the dinner."

The incident represents a security breach for the White House at the Obama administration's biggest social event to date. More than 300 guests, including Cabinet members, diplomats and Hollywood celebrities, attended the dinner in honor of visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The Secret Service has tasked our Office of Professional Responsibility with conducting a comprehensive review of the incident," Donovan's statement said.

Video footage of the dinner showed the couple walking past journalists into the event. On Wednesday, Michaele Salahi's Facebook page included photos of the couple at the dinner, including two pictures with Vice President Joe Biden and another with Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, who was identified on the page as "Ron" Emanuel.

The couple's names did not appear on the guest list distributed Tuesday by the White House.

In an e-mail to CNN, Mahogany Jones, who identified herself as a publicist for the Salahis, said the couple had "full clearance to attend the state dinner."

Fran Townsend, a homeland security adviser to former President George W. Bush, said the incident likely involved a breakdown at the "perimeter" security for the event, which is the first checkpoint that guests encounter.

Lying to the Secret Service could bring a felony charge, Townsend

Secret Service epic fail. How do you let two unidentified individuals simply waltz into a state dinner into supposedly one of the most secure locations with the heads of state? Granted, these idiots were only reality stars looking for fame (reminds me of the balloon boy fiasco), but what would've happened if these two individuals were bent on harming the president? What would've stopped them from grabbing a utensil and stabbing/killing anyone there? I hope this couple gets jailtime.

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NightHawk · 11-26-2009, 08:12 AM

deathinacan · 11-26-2009, 08:29 AM

"What would've stopped them from grabbing a utensil and stabbing/killing anyone there?"

Absolutely nothing - even though they'd be dead after the first jab. I guess this warrants the question - do we really give a ****?

StuBeck · 11-26-2009, 08:36 AM

No, not really. I think he was in more harm with the nutjobs bringing guns to the "town hall meetings" than some people looking for a reality show based on their hi jinx.

jagcars26 · 11-26-2009, 09:07 AM

Some heads will roll over this ..lol

PGT · 11-26-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzuh

Secret Service epic fail. How do you let two unidentified individuals simply waltz into a state dinner into supposedly one of the most secure locations with the heads of state? Granted, these idiots were only reality stars looking for fame (reminds me of the balloon boy fiasco), but what would've happened if these two individuals were bent on harming the president? What would've stopped them from grabbing a utensil and stabbing/killing anyone there? I hope this couple gets jailtime.

They own the Oasis Winery in Hume, VA. Michaele Salahi was a model. I believe they knew Obama prior to him being president.

eye one · 11-26-2009, 09:42 AM

I bet Hollywood was behind it somehow.

It's not the couple that should get jail time, focus should be on the enormous security breach and policies at the White House that either aren't implemented or enforced.

PGT · 11-26-2009, 09:54 AM

Do you really think they just walked in without being allowed? Have you ever been to the White House? That doesn't happen.

PGT · 11-26-2009, 09:56 AM

wow....a pic from the White House dinner.....not quite the same as the one on their website LOL

PGT · 11-26-2009, 10:00 AM

a better article on washingtonpost.com

Damn Yankee · 11-26-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathinacan

"What would've stopped them from grabbing a utensil and stabbing/killing anyone there?"

Absolutely nothing - even though they'd be dead after the first jab. I guess this warrants the question - do we really give a ****?

Hell, they'd never make it to 'jab.' SS would thump them as they started moving fast towards the First Couple.

steve · 11-26-2009, 11:56 AM

Is this for real?

Mahogony jones?
Polo playing socialites?

Gfunk720 · 11-26-2009, 12:00 PM

Maybe they went in an effort to get his wife cheeseburgers...

Certainly is ridiculous that they made it in, but who gives a crap?

Mike Wevrick · 11-26-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGT

Do you really think they just walked in without being allowed? Have you ever been to the White House? That doesn't happen.

Did you read the article? They were searched, yes, but not on the guest list which means no background check was done in advance to see if they were possible threats.

Quote:

Hell, they'd never make it to 'jab.' SS would thump them as they started moving fast towards the First Couple.

If they were taking pics with Biden they could easily have jammed a steak knife between his ribs.

Turn in Concepts · 11-26-2009, 01:48 PM

Why the he'll does the pres need a state dinner for 300 people. Better use would have been to take that same money and buy food for homeless shelters

VpointVick · 11-26-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn in Concepts

Why the he'll does the pres need a state dinner for 300 people. Better use would have been to take that same money and buy food for homeless shelters

Are you serious?

There's faaaaar more wasteful things in the Federal budget to get fired up about, and sometimes actual diplomacy happens at these events. Things that might make the whole world better.

RastaMon · 11-26-2009, 02:24 PM

who cares?

skywatcher · 11-26-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn in Concepts

Why the he'll does the pres need a state dinner for 300 people. Better use would have been to take that same money and buy food for homeless shelters

What is this I don't even

HndaTch627 · 11-26-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn in Concepts

Why the he'll does the pres need a state dinner for 300 people. Better use would have been to take that same money and buy food for homeless shelters

you'd think people would be more outraged about them putting a turkey up in a 5 star hotel for a night as well as flying it first class to LA.

[27] · 11-26-2009, 02:38 PM

this should be in PP

StuBeck · 11-26-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [27]

this should be in PP

Why? The secret service is not part of any political group.

quadrozontal_1 · 11-26-2009, 02:41 PM

Who gives a ****... No harm No foul! game on polo players! haha

PGT · 11-26-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypa

Is this for real?

Mahogony jones?
Polo playing socialites?

ever hear of Virginia Horse Country?? This is some of the most expensive real estate on the east coast and it normally changes hands privately to keep the riff-raff out. The couple at the center of this controversy hosted the International Polo Championships at Morven Park last year I think. I can walk to Morven Park from my house.....think of it like the Kentucky Derby for the steeplechase and polo crowds.

ScoobyDoobyDoo · 11-26-2009, 08:37 PM

If Bush were still President, how many versions of "so close" posts would we get?

Qcanfixit · 12-01-2009, 01:13 PM

just watched the interview

msnbc.com Video Player

they are lying
the female is actually enjoying the attention

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11-26-2009, 08:12 AM	#2
NightHawk NASIOC Supporter Member#: 175181 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Vehicle: Say Car Ram-Rod

11-26-2009, 08:29 AM	#3
deathinacan Scooby Specialist Member#: 76826 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: washington Vehicle: 2004 04' GT35/40 STi Flat black	"What would've stopped them from grabbing a utensil and stabbing/killing anyone there?" Absolutely nothing - even though they'd be dead after the first jab. I guess this warrants the question - do we really give a ****?

11-26-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
StuBeck Scooby Specialist Member#: 19546 Join Date: Jun 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rochester, NY Vehicle: 2009 VW Rabbit	No, not really. I think he was in more harm with the nutjobs bringing guns to the "town hall meetings" than some people looking for a reality show based on their hi jinx.

11-26-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
jagcars26 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2394 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Bel Air Md. Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT wagon 2009 Forester X	Some heads will roll over this ..lol

11-26-2009, 09:42 AM	#7
eye one Scooby Newbie Member#: 8739 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: teh right coast	I bet Hollywood was behind it somehow. It's not the couple that should get jail time, focus should be on the enormous security breach and policies at the White House that either aren't implemented or enforced.

11-26-2009, 09:54 AM	#8
PGT Scooby Specialist Member#: 57283 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Loudoun Vehicle: 08 STI w/300whp & 19" Prodrive GC014's	Do you really think they just walked in without being allowed? Have you ever been to the White House? That doesn't happen.

11-26-2009, 09:56 AM	#9
PGT Scooby Specialist Member#: 57283 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Loudoun Vehicle: 08 STI w/300whp & 19" Prodrive GC014's	wow....a pic from the White House dinner.....not quite the same as the one on their website LOL

11-26-2009, 10:00 AM	#10
PGT Scooby Specialist Member#: 57283 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Loudoun Vehicle: 08 STI w/300whp & 19" Prodrive GC014's	a better article on washingtonpost.com

11-26-2009, 11:56 AM	#12
steve Scooby Guru Member#: 4718 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: BC Vehicle: .... Let's hug it out, okay.	Is this for real? Mahogony jones? Polo playing socialites?

11-26-2009, 12:00 PM	#13
Gfunk720 Scooby Specialist Member#: 42549 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: You can find me in the 203... Vehicle: 2005 STI CGM 2008 Toyota Tow Vehicle	Maybe they went in an effort to get his wife cheeseburgers... Certainly is ridiculous that they made it in, but who gives a crap?

11-26-2009, 01:48 PM	#15
Turn in Concepts NASIOC Vendor Member#: 93646 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: RTA 2009 Street AWD National Champs!	Why the he'll does the pres need a state dinner for 300 people. Better use would have been to take that same money and buy food for homeless shelters

11-26-2009, 02:24 PM	#17
RastaMon Scooby Newbie Member#: 106431 Join Date: Jan 2006 Vehicle: O O \__/	who cares?

11-26-2009, 02:38 PM	#20
[27] Scooby Specialist Member#: 9731 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Parkin Harder than Jewpac can. Vehicle: 2k2 WRX Golf Ball Edition Black	this should be in PP

11-26-2009, 02:41 PM	#22
quadrozontal_1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 188312 Join Date: Sep 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Monmouth, IL Vehicle: MY02 WRX w/Version 8 same as the others PSM...	Who gives a ****... No harm No foul! game on polo players! haha

11-26-2009, 08:37 PM	#24
ScoobyDoobyDoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 45392 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: The QC Vehicle: 2008 SGM 135i	If Bush were still President, how many versions of "so close" posts would we get?