Posted on 09/01/2007 6:59:58 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
SALUDA, S.C. (AP) - The motorcade of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney exceeded speed limits and went through stop lights today as local law officers escorted him to campaign events in two South Carolina counties.
Traffic pulled over for the flashing blue lights. Saluda County Sheriff Jason Booth, a Romney supporter, led the candidate's motorcade to the Newberry city limits.
The caravan traveled between 10 mph and 15 mph over posted speed limits of 45 mph and 55 mph.
Booth says officers wanted to make sure Romney stays safe and gets where he's going.
Booth declined further comment when asked whether it's proper to use flashing police lights to escort a candidate.
Later in the day, Romney said his campaign requests that police turn their lights on only if there's a public safety concern.
Um... So what.
What do I win?
AP idiots. Ooooooohhh.... The police drive fast with a candidate! Gimme a break.
Around here, ALL traffic generally runs 10-15 mph over the speed limit.
Oh no, I wonder if he farted while in the car.
Sounds to me like they were just going with the flow of traffic here in SC!!
I dunno-— maybe I look at this another way. He is not President (Yet, and I really would prefer he not be). What “right” does he have to get a police escort at above posted speeds, through red lights, etc. simply because he is a candidate?
Failure to plan, and his simply candidacy is not grounds for this.
Now - it isn’t all that big of a deal, but I certainly hope it is not a Hillary-esque abuse of power to expect if he were to win the election.
Then again, maybe I’m just pessimistic this morning - I’m in pain.
give it a rest.
i’m sure the reporter writing this story exceeded the speed limit getting back home.
I’ve been opposed to Mitt Romney for many reasons but suddenly he seems like someone who stands against the tyranny of speed limits. Huzzah!
On the other hand, has he corrupted these fine Law Enforcement Officers and suborned speeding?
/light sarcasm OFF...
I agree with you.
Hope you get to feeling better quick.
This is hugely common for all candidates. Is it the correct thing? Who knows.
I hosted an Allan Keyes event and he had a police car accompany him. Just one mind you but still had one.
I was under the impression that all declared Presidential candidates are placed under Secret Service protection, which would make this whole discussion moot. If the Secret Service wants to go fast, they WILL go fast.
Doesn’t his deputy badges allow them to speed?
That’s what I was thinking of.
Our politicians use to give those deputized badges out to people that made large campaign donations.
Nope. Usually, only the winners of their party's nomination receives SS protection.
The President can make an exception, which he has done this year for some odd reason for Barack Hussein Obama.
Otherwise, primary candidates are on their own.
The Romney campaign has had a problem with staffers and supporters THINKING they're SS. That's why I posted this.
I doubt we will see any reports of Hillary’s or Obama’s caravans breaking the speed limits, unless it comes from the spouses of the opposing candidates.
Both Hillary and Obama HAVE Secret Service protection.
But your point is well taken.
How do they know they were phony? In NJ, they really deputize friends, family and political supporters.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.