Secret Service Blocking Reporters At Palin Rallies: Milbank

Via Romenesko, the Washington Post's Dana Milbank reveals in an online chat that the Secret Service is stopping people reporters from interviewing people at Palin rallies:

Arlington, Va.: The Secret Service has now labeled the "kill him" report as unfounded. Why isn't The Post giving this report as much coverage as the original false report received?

Dana Milbank:

Glad you asked, because I saw this earlier. This is actually about the incident in Scranton, not the one in Clearwater, Fla, that I wrote about here.

I wasn't at the Scranton event, but I have to say the Secret Service is in dangerous territory here. In cooperation with the Palin campaign, they've started preventing reporters from leaving the press section to interview people in the crowd. This is a serious violation of their duty -- protecting the protectee -- and gets into assisting with the political aspirations of the candidate. It also often makes it impossible for reporters to get into the crowd to question the people who say vulgar things. So they prevent reporters from getting near the people doing the shouting, then claim it's unfounded because the reporters can't get close enough to identify the person.

Comments

[AtlantaBlueNProud]

I just hope Obama/Biden realize THIS Secret Service is ruled by King George Bush. Take no undue chances.

[ebanks84]

This secret service are just Bush lap dogs.

[amerifun]

Let's hope that Obama is getting the same security that they give McCain/Palin.
The fear is that they feel more alligence to the present powers that be.

[bettybp]

Secret Service says "'Kill Him' report Unfounded"??? Wasn't there more than one Kill Him? And wasn't it on tape? Now the Secret Service is policing the reporters sent to cover the events instead of following up on these overt threats? Note the initials "SS" - where have we seen that before?

[NealHib]

The press should just pull all their coverage of Palin.

[hortonhearsawho]

If they would do that for about 24 hours, she would take the bait and come out spewing...­.

[jeanrenoir]

A little hint of the theocratic fascist strong arm tactics to come, if Palin-McCain win. Palin's obviously so popular, by design, because she's the one who truly channels the white mob's hatred of the "elites" and blacks, and scapegoats both groups to feed the mob's hunger for revenge over feeling put down. The mob can't stand to see a black man get "uppity" and rise above them. This mirrors Hitler and his white mob perfectly. Hitler's definitely the role model for Palin's handlers. Rather ironic that those who are using Palin most ruthlessly and fanatically to con the mob into voting for their policies are neocons who no doubt laugh cynically about using Hitler's tactics in "a good cause."

[lunchlady]

This reminds of a quote I can't quite remember, but it basically said that when fascism comes to America it will wrapped in a flag and a Bible. Sorry I don't remember the quote better or who it's by.
The misuse of religion, patriotism, and post-9/11 fear to grab power by right wing thugs is what we're up against in this country. We've lost so much ground already. Obama might be our last hope.

[GenXer]

A real nod to full disclosure. But seriously, does that not violate the Constitution?

[Diogenes08]

Yesterday (Thursday), an Obama supporter was dragged away from a Palin rally at Elon University near Burlington, N.C. It was pretty violent, and the arresting cops refused to say what he was being charged with. One-time country radical Hank Williams Jr. opened the show, so Dixie Chicks fans have a retaliation object here.

Anyone remember when protest was legal? When the whole country was a "free-speech zone"?

[GenXer]

It is very sad, but the GOp knows a person with an idea that is voiced is more dangerouos to them than a person with a gun.

[thirteen13]

I remember when protest was legal and much more dangerous for protesters during the Vietnam era. Less courage more ignorance now.

[AngryCenter]

Meh nobody cares about Palin anymore. Except of course the Summerteeth (summer here, summer there, sum aren't anywhere!)

[kmdippenger]

So it's going to be left up to ordinary individuals to uncover the racism and hatred being generated at these Palin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0

By the way, I've worked at 3 Obama events and NEVER seen anything but positive energy directed towards getting our candidate elected.

[ebanks84]

That's the different between evil and good.

[mi]

Not surprised.
Disappointed SNL will still showcase her.

[Sundialsvc4]

I think that we can review Secret's performance as much as we like, say, six months to a year from now. But for now, let's not turn the lights on in their dark room. Let's assume that they are professional enough not to pick sides, since they are equally charged with protecting both sides.

I say that to protect the lives(!) of the men and women out there who work in Secret and the various other clandestine services. For them, "loose lips sink ships." If we see them, say, blocking reporter access, then you're right ... "they might be dead-wrong­." But if we go blabbing about them too much ... so to speak, "they might be dead." Six months from now, the reporters certainly have the right to press their case, just as it eventually came out what J. Edgar Hoover had been doing with HIS "Service." But right-now is not an opportune time.

For the sake of the "troops in the trenches" at Secret, let us be discrete..­.

[AmazingChicken]

Come on, it's a simple question and an easy one to answer: Who pays them, and for what purpose?

The Secret Service KNOW who the press corps members are - there's no reason for them to be doing this that is in line with their duties.

If she can't use them properly she should not be allowed to have them - let someone float over her appearances in that helicopter she was shooting wolves from.

I wouldn't attend - but you could if you want.

PS know many hunters who drink while on the hunt?

[vincealy]

Well Bush Rove McCain have changed the justice department to a bunch of patisans who where hired to be loyal to Bush Rove McCain. Those that where not able to do that where fired. Seems that message has not been lost,

[trambusto]

Secret Service are in the Department of Homeland Security, not Justice.

[hortonhearsawho]

Crap, now the secret is out....way to go genius.

[NoToGOP08]

Wasilla folks talk about the read Palin record - http://www.wasillaproject.com/

[NoToGOP08]

The people of Wasilla speak about the real Sarah Palin - http://www.wasillaproject.com/

[Fridley]

Would someone please check into a nanny gate in Palins past. It is virtually impossible that she is legitimately paying full time people wages that are not breaking the law......i­t brought down a decent candidate for Supreme Court why not let it bring down a lousy candidate for vice president.