Secret Service Orders End to Gun Checks at Obama Rally in Dallas

Posted by Paddy , Cliff Schecter's Blog at 5:45 AM on February 22, 2008.

I heard rumblings about this yesterday, but this boils it down the best.

NEW YORK The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported late Thursday that security details at Barack Obama's rally in Dallas (of all places) on Wednesday "stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.

"The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security," reported the paper's Jack Douglas, Jr. More than 10 days remain until the Texas primary and a key vote for president.

"Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on. '"Sure,' said Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a 'friendly crowd.'"

The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.

This is troubling on so many levels. It doesn't matter if it were Obama or Gravel as there have been actual substantiated threats out there. "Seemed to be a friendly crowd". What the hell does that mean? Lawrence should be fired just on that statement alone.

Tagged as: obama, secret service

Paddy is a regular contributor to Cliff Schecter.com.