Maybe I am joining the tin foil crowd, who knows.
200 Guests is not an outrageous number of people to walk through a metal detector....damn, how many people walk through one on a daily basis in an airport?
The agent involved in the entry scuffle--is it a coincidence he was the lead agent?
On the plus side...When protecting the life and safety of the President of the United States, the Secret Service Agents are the best and are on top of things.
It was not only the lead agent, but the other agent who is with the President at all times. From the WashTimes article, there are 2 who are considered his personal agents, constantly by his side. Both #1 AND #2 were prevented from entering right behind the Pres.
Another article last night stated that other agents had been allowed into the event by a different door, so were in the building ahead of this, but their location hasn't been mentioned, that I've seen.
If they were already in the banquet hall, then they were in no position to protect the President as he came through the door a number of feet away. So he would have been unguarded at that point.
Others have said it: GWB has good instincts.