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

[writainohia]

I am a reporter/photographer in Ohio, and I have covered both a Palin rally and a Obama rally. This story is not entirely accurate. During the events, the media is cordoned off to a specific area of the arena. This is not to keep members from talking to audience, I don't think, but to help give the media a place to stand, to film, to photograph.
In my stories, I talked to audience members at both events. I didn't have any Secret Service men come down on me. I took plenty of photographs, I quoted people in the crowds.
Of course, I'm not one of the members of the huge national media that goes and tries to get people worked up in order to get a story. I don't like Sarah Palin or even agree with most of what she says, but I'm not going to go out and look for the biggest freak in a crowd and hound that person until he or she does something stupid for the camera, and I think that has been happening with some of the bigger media outlets. Anything for a sound bite!
My only complaint at the Palin rally was that the media was placed far from the stage and at an odd angle. There was a telepromper placed between her and the media. It was very difficult to get photographs or film of her speaking, but then I got off my scaffolding and got a better shot.

[realitybites08]

If you were to compare Gov Palin to anyone in the bible, what name would come to mind? I have one for you...that name is "Jezebel." Look at her antics throughout the time that she has been selected on the ticket. Ever wonder why you have never heard someone called that name? Check out the "original" Jezebel's history and you will understand why even a pit-bull won't compare.

[Venise Alstergren]

Realitybites08: For heaven's sake, don't get your knickers in a knot. The story of Jezebel has been around for about 2000 years. A hockey mom with a license to kill (animals) will be around for the next three weeks.

[klandish]

Lets prey. he he.

[realitybites08]

Venise: Actually, I don't think I have my knickers in a knot (yet). However, I still believe that for this woman to proclaim she is a Christian full of the Holy Ghost, she sure is showing devilish antics and NOT rebuking those making threatening comments from at the rallys. And, in regards to what license she has, remember, even words can kill (especially character). Sorry, if I sound so hateful, but we as Christians are supposed to correct those who are not doing that which is right (especially when they know they are in the wrong).

[OlskoolDem]

if anyone watched the Iditarod special on Discovery channel last week the short interview w/ Gov. Palin she dosen't us any broken English. this is all an act to identify with the GOP. base.

[DCinFrance]

To quote some of the low info trollers around here....DUH!

[Egalitare]

That's so f*%#ed up.

The current movers and shakers of GOP electoral strategy have decided that their base closely identifies with "Idiocracy." It's no wonder that Buckley the Younger and other real Conservatives are waging a war to reclaim the mind of their party.

[klandish]

Loved that movie. But in the end they were able to make order out of the muck. I can't wait that long.

[lbcny]

The Iditarod is cruel and so are the Palin's.

All animals are more intelligent than they are.

[klandish]

Oh,so it's ok to scream out that Obama's a t@rro rist though. What do people want to do with T@rro rists in this Country? Is every body stupid?

[klandish]

She's beauty queen, an actress. In a word yes.

[klandish]

Oh it's ok for people to scream out that Obama's a terrorist though I suppose. What do people want to do with terrorists in this Country. Is every body stup!d.

[klandish]

A real w!tch of biblical proportions this one. See the irony. This has needs to be reported by the press and made available on network television news. Poor people do not have access to home computers or cable for Olbermann type coverage, this cannot be overlooked. The legal angle will not get the word out fast enough. Write or e-mail the networks today.

[realitybites08]

Speaking of biblical proportions...If you were to compare Gov Palin to anyone in the bible, what name would come to mind? I have one for you...that name is "Jezebel." Look at her antics throughout the time that she has been selected on the ticket. Ever wonder why you have never heard someone called that name? Check out the "original" Jezebel's history and you will understand why even a pit-bull won't compare.

[madeline2]

Stop profiling = You believe too much TV - it aint nothing like TV - The buildings look bad because the people dont want you knowing they have computers, etc....

Wake Up!! SnapOut of It.....

[madeline2]

Poor people? What! Do you have any friends in an inner city? I do and I can tell you many, many, many peeps in da city have much better systems than any of us on here...This is what you folks dont know! .... This is a problem many of you really don't have any clue what the deal is in inner cities do you? .The peeps in the hood got computers and BMW's !!! Wake Up!

Whats wrong with you people?

[Brian Ross - Huffpost Blogger]

One other thing: The right of the public under the First Amendment: Need To Know is weighed against the safety of the candidates by the Secret Service, which has historically done an outstanding job of keeping the candidates, presidents, and their families safe. Do I need to know the name of the guy in the crowd yelling "Kill HiM!" No. Do I need to know that the United States Secret Service is looking for and at that guy. To quote the Gov.: You betcha. I have no doubt, if there is a credible threat being made against any candidate, that the Secret Service will be on it. You won't hear about it, but that's the Secret in the service, right?

[Brian Ross - Huffpost Blogger]

The Secret Service is not in the employ of Mrs. Palin. I find it hard to believe that the Service is engaging in anything other than the security of the candidate. It may also be that they are trying to get to these people, not on behalf of Mrs. Palin, but to root out folks for Mr. Obama. In that regard, I have no problem with them restricting access to the media if it is keeping all of the candidates safe.

I sent out a request to the public relations officer to verify this story this morning:

There is a story being circulated that members of the Palin Secret Service detail are restricting reporters from speaking with guests of the Palin rallies by now limiting their enter/exit to the pool area, something which was not heretofore done. Is there a reason that the media's access to the crowd is being restricted, other than that they have been reporting that members of the crowd have been shouting alleged threats of violence against Senator Obama when his name is brought up by Gov. Palin? Is there a statement online that has already been made, or someone who can make a statement for the Service on this? I was not aware that the Secret Service did anything to obstruct the free access of the media to the public at a rally, only the candidate as security needs dictate. What is the rationale? Thanks.

[klandish]

Are you really afraid Palin is at risk from Obama supporters. Oh well anythings possible I guess.

[lbcny]

You are either blind or naive.

[MsLiz]

The Secret Service was moved from Treasury to Homeland Security, right? And George Bush is still president. We know the basis of hiring in the Justice Department, why should we expect better of the Secret Service?

[Tommygun264]

It has yet to be confirmed, but Keith Olbermann reported that two men who were peacefully protesting at a Palin rally today (Thursday) were physically attacked by 15 or 16 elderly pub lemmings in the crowd. If this is true, the greatest fears of the sane and civilized portion of our country's population may soon be realized as the flames of hatred McSame/Palin begin to rage out of control. I pray that this will either turn out to be a misinterpretation of events, or at most an isolated incident.

[BigSurf]

"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"

The media should file charges against the secret service and the agents who did this!!!!!

Who has oversight and do they have an OIG?

[likeicare]

She has "special needs."

[imsosure]

It's just as well, she is so full of it I know I don't have any desire to hear anymore of her psychobabble!

[klandish]

You mean her psychotic babble don't you.

[DCinFrance]

Alan Parsons. Psychobabble.

[imsosure]

Call it what you will, she's clearly unfit for the job she's currently pursuing.

[TopDog]

Hey, the best we can hope for is that when Palin returns back to Alaska in disgrace following the election that her political career will be over. Never to he heard from again.

[Vern58]

It is sad that the censors at the Huffington Post are seeking to block posts from thoughtful adult people, simply because they contain opinions that say what we are all feeling.

[TopDog]

OK, now I am curious. How about re-writing it in a way that will not set off the censors, so we can read what it is we are all feeling. Give it another try.

[klandish]

It a machine that's been programed to hone in on certain words. Try writing like H@ H@ N 0 w y@u Kn@ W.

[truthforme]

Sometimes posts are just lost and it has nothing to do with the comment.

[Vern58]

This woman is no joke. She is a dangerous raaacyst, who appeals to the darkest basest underbelly of our society. She needs to return to Alaska and promptly switch to the ASP