There have been times–and you don’t have to be a cheap-shotting GOPster to feel this way–when the Obama White House has had an “amateur hour” aura to it. Let’s not count the ways right now. On balance, it’s been disappointing, but let’s not forget that a dysfunctional Congress has been beyond obstructionist.
But what happened over the weekend was not merely controversial or counterproductive political theater. It was downright, JFK-in-Dallas scary.
It was a reminder that the Secret Service–which is not a political entity–has had another lapse. It’s inexplicable that when your only job is to protect the president of the United States some guy with a knife is able to climb a fence, run 70 yards across the North Lawn and get inside the unlocked front door of the White House. That door is just one flight of stairs away from the Obamas’ living quarters.
Along the way, the intruder ignored “warnings” to stop. A guard dog was not released. The man was ultimately subdued by a guard on the inside.
It was a reminder that just two years ago the Secret Service embarrassed itself when a dozen agents–in Cartegena, Colombia in advance of President Obama’s visit–were sent home after incidents that involved local prostitutes.
An administration spokesman said there will be a “comprehensive review” of the White House security breech. He also issued a pro forma statement repeating that “The president has full confidence in the Secret Service, and is grateful to the men and women who day in and day out protect himself, his family and the White House.”
We can only imagine what the president really said.