Obama leaves WH without press, breaking protocol

Associated Press ^ | April 10, 2010

[Free ThinkerNY]

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama quietly breached years of protocol on Saturday morning by leaving the White House without the press with him.

[EBH]

http://www.wisegeek.com/who-receives-secret-service-protection.htm

In 1965, Congress authorized the Secret Service (Public Law 89-186) to protect a former president and his/her spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection. In 1997, Congress enacted legislation (Public Law 103-329) that limits Secret Service protection for former presidents to 10 years after leaving office. Under this new law, individuals who are in office before January 1, 1997, will continue to receive Secret Service protection for their lifetime. Individuals elected to office after that time will receive protection for 10 years after leaving office. Therefore, President Clinton will be the last president to receive lifetime protection.
http://www.secretservice.gov/faq.shtml#faq9

[Dan Nunn]

all former Presidents have their own Secret Service Detail for life.

During the Clinton administration, that policy was changed. It is now 10 years from leaving office, starting with George W. Bush.

[timestax]

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The Boston Globe
From Wellesley to organizer in chief
Wellesley grad Katie Johnson, 27, will be Barack Obama’s personal secretary. Wellesley grad Katie Johnson, 27, will be Barack Obama’s personal secretary. (Office of the President-elect)
By Brian C. Mooney
Globe Staff / January 14, 2009

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When Katie Johnson visits the West Wing on Friday, she won’t be a tourist. Outside the Oval Office, the 27-year-old daughter of a Brookline couple will stop to check out the desk she will take Tuesday when she becomes the personal secretary to the 44th president of the United States.
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Since graduating from Wellesley College less than six years ago, Johnson - K

[timestax]

[penelopesire]

Thanks for the info. You would think the politicos would repeal that law because of 911 and Islamic terrorism.

[JohnBrowdie]

if he refuses to be bound by the constitution, I would assume that breaking protocol is in “So, what?” territory.

[Tzimisce]

So now we can look forward to stories from the Press about how the President deserves a private life.

The same Press who screamed every time Bush didn’t invite them to something....

[Irish Eyes]

I heard yesterday that he would make a visit to the golf tournament. Has anyone heard if that is where he went?

[SE Mom]

I am REALLY curious if this is a fact or was misreported. It’s almost too bizarre- even for The One.

[mrsixpack36]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't any former president guaranteed Secret Service protection anywhere he goes? Who says a former president cannot go out of the country as a private citizen.

[livius]

Very possible. It’s hard for me to imagine that he would dare to do anything that blatantly insulting and overtly tyrannical, but you never know. He’s done - and gotten away with - other things I never thought likely.

[penelopesire]

Check out post 147 for an update. I forgot to ping you to it. It still sounds a bit bizarre, but I don’t put it past someone in his administration doing it on Obama’s orders. If it comes out and it’s true...Obama will just throw them under the bus along with everyone else and play innocent.

[Humal]

I have been following this on the Florida message board, and the person who first posted this says it was broadcast twice after he first heard it, then it was pulled. He called the station and asked them where they got their information and why was it pulled. They said the station manager would get back with him, and he would post the explanations. That was at 4:37 EDT, and nothing more has been posted.

If Obama did have the audacity to say this, was he
a) afraid they would up-stage him?
b) warning them they could have an accident too?

[DrewsMum]

I am almost positive that the ex presidents get sec serv protection regardless....and the current WH has no say in the matter....I was also told by one of Clinton’s retired Sec Serv agents that the sec serv protection after their terms is more to protect what they KNOW...than them personally.......

[Artcore]

all former Presidents have their own Secret Service Detail for life.

During the Clinton administration, that policy was changed. It is now 10 years from leaving office, starting with George W. Bush.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for the update...wasn’t aware it had changed.

[DrewsMum]

I don’t know much about it, but my friend’s kids soccer season is in the fall.....is that typical?

[Shade_Trees_56]

“While I despise the man, I respect his desire to be “normal” once in a while with his kids.”

This assclown has never been normal. He ditched them to do something that he didn’t want the rest of the world to know about. Did you ever see the pic of him cowering behind Michelle when the Olympic judo team visited the WH? He is a coward.

Yes, he might have attended the game as a decoy but I do not believe that’s all he did.

[Rebelbase]

“The small press “pool” that accompanies the president had been told to gather at the White House at 11:30 a.m. He left about 9:20 a.m.”

I wonder what her name is?

[STARWISE]

Thank you! It’s so strange. If someone credible is
saying they heard it twice, it’s hard to dispute
without further info from WIOD or somewhere.

I just can’t see Pres. Bush accepting such an
ultimatum if true, unless they’re saying security
threats are high.

I would imagine there’s probably more than just a
couple of SS agents who’ve tired of this mania and
have quit, so the force maybe reduced and stretched
thin.

[little jeremiah]

“Her” name?

I don’t think you have the pronoun gender right.