Couple slips though security to crash state dinner

[WashingtonBay]

Couple slips though security to crash state dinner

By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL (AP) – 11 hours ago

WASHINGTON — Crashing a state dinner at the White House apparently takes a security breakdown as well as some kind of nerve.

The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said.

President Barack Obama was never in any danger because the party crashers went through the same security screening for weapons as the 300-plus people actually invited to the dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Donovan said.

Donovan confirmed the identities of the couple. The Washington Post, which first reported on their evening out, said the Salahis were well-known in the Virginia horse-country set.

The Secret Service learned about the security breach Wednesday after a media inquiry prompted by the Salahis' online boasts about having attended the private event, Donovan said.

One of the many photos from the dinner posted on Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows the couple with a smiling Vice President Joe Biden. In other photos, they appear alone or together with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty, CBS News anchor Katie Couric, Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., and three Marines in their dress blues.

Donovan would not comment on whether the couple had been contacted by the Secret Service, how long they were on the White House grounds or other details of the investigation.

The agency's Office of Professional Responsibility was reviewing what occurred. An initial finding indicated that a checkpoint did not follow proper procedures to ensure the two were on the guest list, Donovan said.

"It's important to note that they went through all the security screenings — the magnetometer screening — just like all the other guests did," Donovan said. And, he added, Obama and others under Secret Service protection had their usual security details with them at the dinner.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.



http://www.google.com/hostednews/img/ap_logo.gif?hl=en
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/media/ALeqM5hkDsdXXIyFKn5xaR-RZPlfEMPMnQ?size=l
In this Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 photo, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, right, arrive at a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington. The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that the Virginia couple managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

[WashingtonBay]

I've seen the other pics on the morning news... of her posing with Biden, Emanuel, et al... but I haven't found them online.

They've got moxie, that's for sure.

By the way, credit where it's due, after my recent critical post, Michelle O wore a beautiful dress.

http://www.instyle.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/width_300/obamaNWS261109.jpg

Looked a little like draperies, but so do a lot of great formal dresses when you get down to it... up to and including our party crasher dress above ;)

http://blog.designpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/pdvd_071.jpg

[WashingtonBay]

They are being described as "reality TV hopefuls" Is this a new trend? Staging public fiascos is now good material for getting your own reality show?



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/26/article-1231081-075D69C0000005DC-331_468x555.jpg


http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs066.snc3/13341_183858501877_101907941877_2806727_832068_n.j pg


http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0glZ2qSfNCaDN/610x.jpg

[rocknK]

Blame it on Bush!!!:deadhorse:

[mare]

"said the Salahis were well-known in the Virginia horse-country set."

*sigh* Blame it on their association with horses.

[WashingtonBay]

Heh... I know... horse people don't usually make scandalous news! I had to highlight that. :D

[palomino]

I think that is SO cool!!! LMAO.

[JackieB]

They got (are getting) their 15 minutes of fame. Now I think about 5 years in prison would be good, assuming they are convicted. They can be charged with felonies for lying to federal agents.

This is obviously more than embarrassing for the White House staff. It was a significant security breach that demonstrates a lack of discipline with regard to following the procedures. They obviously need to complete an investigation and correct whatever caused the problem.

The couple who got in needs to understand the consequences of their actions. They knew that they had to trick the Secret Service to get in. They weren't just crashing a very-important party.

I'd absolutely say the same thing if this was the previous administration's event. I'm sure of it.

[palomino]

I dont think they should be charged with anything for party crashing- thats WHY we have secret service and heavy measures to ensure that doesnt happen- its the blame of the security detail. I think its funny.

[mare]

I think they should be charged. Don't know enough about law to say with what, though.

Crashing a wedding reception at the local Holiday Inn when you're a hungry college kid is one thing. Crashing an event like this, with the security concerns shows a complete disregard for the safety and position of those legitimately attending the party.

I'm glad these bozos were the ones to show the holes in the security, though, before people with malicious intent did it.

BTW -- That is one awesome dress. Hadn't seen it, but heard it was great.

[natisha]

Heh... I know... horse people don't usually make scandalous news! I had to highlight that. :D Or have time to dress up

[HoustonFarrier]

They can be charged with felonies for lying to federal agents.
What lie did they tell ????? How do you KNOW they lied at all, and it was not merely the security staff screwing up???

Steve

[JackieB]

What lie did they tell ????? How do you KNOW they lied at all, and it was not merely the security staff screwing up???

Steve

Right. I did say "assuming they are convicted". I don't know what they said to get in.

They weren't on the official list, that much appears to be certain. So what they said to security and how they got in needs to be determined. But if it's true that they intended to crash this party and gave false statements indicating that they were invited guests, then I'd like to see them pay some pretty significant consequences for their actions.

This isn't a Democrat/Republican/Conservative/Liberal thing at all. It's a serious national security matter. That's my opinion anyway.

[offgridgirl]

eh?? Let'em be!! Maybe they were just lookin' for a good time???
Secret Service screwed the pooch here.... they gotta be the best ALL the time!!

Love Michelle o's Dress

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I agree, the responsibility is with the secret service or who ever is in charge of security at the WH, they're the ones that messed up. They should thank their lucky stars that this couple is pretty benign and not some anti-Obama fruitcakes.

As far as penalty/consequences for lying, they should then have to get in line behind the very people they were hob-nobbing with.

[palomino]

I agree, the responsibility is with the secret service or who ever is in charge of security at the WH, they're the ones that messed up. They should thank their lucky stars that this couple is pretty benign and not some anti-Obama fruitcakes.

As far as penalty/consequences for lying, they should then have to get in line behind the very people they were hob-nobbing with.


WORD.

[Tiz]

That Carol Burnett "Gone with the Wind" skit was so dang funny. Mostly because the participants looked like they were having such a good time. Aw, the simpler days of entertainment.


Responsibility lies with the gate crashers first, then the sloppy employee who let them in. They should be charged with something, I don't know what, and the employee should lose his/her job. This was serious stuff that could have resulted in an enormous tragedy.

Joe Biden sure looks happy with the blonde laying all over him though, doesn't he?

[HoustonFarrier]

It's a serious national security matter. That's my opinion anyway.
Your kidding right???? Serious national security????? C'mon Jackie.......

There is a very old document that was written a few hundred years ago......it starts with ....

"WE the People......"

This was a party on the taxpayers dime, on the taxpayers property.....WE own the White House....WE own the grounds it sits on. Every single taxpaying American citizen has the right to attend, irregardless of who is or is not on any "invite" list.

Steve

[WashingtonBay]

Jackie's right that it's a major security breach... but I think luckily, we just had some adventure seeking socialites trying to get in, and not someone with a more nefarious goal. I'm ambivalent about punishment of anyone over it. Some lessons can be learned by living through them, not dumping people right after they've gotten the lesson and wake up call they needed.

Yes, it's "we the people" but that doesn't mean you and me and any Joe off the street gets to walk through the president's house and join him for dinner. And you know that.

[WashingtonBay]

I did read on DU, something unsourced so I can't verify it... that Cindy Sheehan and/or some of the 'gals' from code pink also tried to get in this event and were hauled off the grounds. The commenter there proposed that this gal got in because she doesn't look like Cindy Sheehan... I thought it was a comment about the gal being pretty and the couple being well dressed, but it might also be because Cindy would be on the little rolodex watch list these guys have... Which this couple is probably now on ;)

[JackieB]

Your kidding right???? Serious national security????? C'mon Jackie.......

I'm absolutely serious. There was more potential risk here than you think, Steve. Even if the couple did go through rigorous screening before entering.

[mare]

I agree that it is a serious event. And, yes, I do think they committed a crime by going in. I also am certain the security personnel will be in trouble and that the whole program will be re-worked.

Reading the link to wanting to be on a reality TV show... Good grief. Balloon boy and gate crashers? What's next? Really glad I don't have TV if these are the types of people on it.

[WashingtonBay]

New pic... They did make it all the way in....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/4139605630_3f6df67f57.jpg

[Tiz]

That is absolutely ridiculous. I swear, where do you go in America to get competent workers? I've always thought the Secret Service was topnotch. I guess not.

Rev's Sharpton and Jackson will be making racial hay of this, don't you think?

[rocknK]

Just goes to show that a hot blonde will always go far!!!:p

[rocknK]

After reading a New York Times article about this couple they are Sleazy, capital "S" for emphasis!!! They owe money all over VA & lie about just about everything.

[Tiz]

But rockn, she's blonde. That should be enough. Joe looked like he thought so.

[Remali]

It was just on the National News. It's a very serious matter, they need to get some serious jail time for pulling that and lying to the Secret Service. Unreal.

I like both the dresses! And I remember that Carol Burnett skit, LOL!