No security concerns
The Secret Service says today there was "no security concern whatsoever" preventing Barack Obama from holding a campaign event in Greensboro Wednesday.
That's the word from spokesman Eric Zahren.
Our story cites Mayor Yvonne Johnson as the source for the information about security concerns.
Something apparently was misconstrued, Zahren added.
That seems to leave scheduling issues or inability to find a suitable venue. I'm seeking more information.
Obama is visiting Charlotte and Fayetteville Wednesday.
I'd say chances are good he'll get to Greensboro before May 6 -- especially since there aren't any security problems here.
P.S. Zahren was quoted in the New York Times last May when the Secret Service began providing protection for Obama.
Update, 1:20 p.m.: I've talked to a couple of media folks with the Obama campaign, Dan Leistikow and Amy Brundage, who dismiss the security issue. They both say Obama will visit the Greensboro area in the coming weeks. Leistikow particularly stressed that Obama believes North Carolina will be a battleground state and intends to compete vigorously during the primary and general election campaigns.
Update, 2:20: Mayor Johnson tells me "there was a security concern issue ... just in the sense that there's always a security concern."
Aha. The Secret Service is involved in both the Obama and Clinton campaigns. As a matter of routine, security issues have to be taken into consideration for any event involving one of the candidates.
But there was no specific security concern associated with Greensboro, the mayor said, and security had nothing to do with why Obama wasn't able to schedule an appearance here this time.
Something might have gotten lost in translation.
Comments (14)
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Our story cites Mayor Yvonne Johnson as the source for the information about security concerns.* Doug
No doubt the Mayor is on the secret payroll of Hillary!
Ask yourself one question! Since Obama is anti-war, who in the heck in his campaign decided to make a campaign stop at Fort Bragg?
Posted on March 17, 2008 12:39 PM
There's nothing to support that financially, none of the local players are listed on OpenSecrets.org, although Jim Melvin did contribute a few grand to Rudy's campaign.
There might be a lack of BIG contributers to his campaign from our area. The latest info indicates that John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani together had received $690,915 compared to Obama's $108,568. Sure that more than he's received from other areas; but I think "Show Me The Money" might be the reason.
Posted on March 17, 2008 2:10 PM
There are a lot of votes here. It makes plenty of sense for Obama to campaign in Greensboro, in terms of winning the primary and in terms of trying carry North Carolina in November.
Posted on March 17, 2008 2:29 PM
Clark: "Something might have gotten lost in translation."
A good hungry reporter could probably find where that translation was lost.
"Security" is just not a word pulled out of the air, especially by the mayor of a city whose reputation is compromised by that description.
Posted on March 17, 2008 3:22 PM
Gee let's see now why would I think that this could be connceted with the constant drip, drip of stories painting Greesnboro as some sort of center for racisim in North Carolina.
You know like the Klan Nazi ( but never Communist) mentioned in the titles.
Painting a picture wanted.....
Or the infamous "Black Book" Rev.? Johnson a known communist and agitator...
Oh well, shows how the media takes the worst news and reports.
Maybe a real journalist would have balanced the news with a contact to the Obama campaign with the first story.....
One thing I have learned in dealing with the public is not to believe the first reports, but wait and the real story come out.
How much other slanted info is the Mayor getting?
Posted on March 17, 2008 3:27 PM
I really have to conclude that this is just a misunderstanding, not a scandal or conspiracy. Greensboro isn't unsafe for presidential candidates, or at least not more so than anywhere else. No doubt normal security precautions will be taken when one of the candidates - Obama, Clinton or McCain - does hold an event in Greensboro.
We've had presidential candidates in town before with no bad incidents. President Bush was here in 2006:
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/NEWSREC0101/609230308
Posted on March 17, 2008 4:28 PM
I find it very hard to believe that a simple "misunderstanding" took place among highly trained political operatives. Sure, there's playing the story down now . . . just like the Warren Commission did with JFK.
I suspect this is part of Obama's nefarious strategy of saying one thing in private and another in public. Let's add, then, "Greensboro--security" to "Canada--NAFTA" and "Britain--Iraq War" in the Obamaspeak file.
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:23 PM
You're a hard man to fool.
But, since it's after 5 on St. Paddy's Day, I suggest we start to celebratin'.
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:32 PM
But, if you'll indulge me one complaint:
I've spent part of one day on presidential politics and somehow I've already gotten on the email lists for both the Obama and Clinton campaigns.
Saints preserve us!
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:40 PM
Doug:
This seems like a much larger mistake than just a "misunderstanding." Does the N&R usually just rely on one source for a story like this?
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:45 PM
I wouldn't think so.
Posted on March 17, 2008 5:56 PM
Is there a concern that our police department lacks sufficient resources to provide the required security apparatus?
Posted on March 17, 2008 8:30 PM
Something might have gotten lost in translation.* Doug
No doubt the reverse Yogi school of translation course was use by the Mayor and staff.
We've had presidential candidates in town before with no bad incidents. President Bush was here in 2006:* Doug
With a 20% approval rating at that time. Nobody consider him a security risk. In fact his Presidental flight into Greensboro was a old use Fed-X 707 under a 3 day delivery order. It was the first time in the history of the Secret Service that they were given the day off....
Posted on March 17, 2008 8:48 PM
Lost in translation. Ha !! Mayor Johnson deliberatly played the security card in hopes of trumping up some sympathy for Obama. Either that or she is as stupid and confused as she apeared in answering the question about the black book at her press conference. But as several of the other commenters said, a rookie reporter could have painted the mayor into a corner and nailed this down. The editors didn't want agressiveness, or so it appears
Posted on March 18, 2008 6:27 PM