Politics

Secret Service Confirms Book-Throwing Incident, Questions Raised About Streaker

Are the stories of a streaker and book thrower at the president’s Philadelphia rally yesterday fabricated? Politics Daily’s Tom Kavanagh raises some questions about both incidents.

First, to the video (posted earlier by Scott) showing an apparent slow-mo version of the book assault:

But the video isn’t a slam dunk for Kavanagh, who mentions a lack of reporting regarding both the book and streaking incidents:

The Associated Press, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post made no mention of any such developments in their original reports. And the White House pool reporter saw no indication that they occurred either, Politics Daily’s Alex Wagner reports.

And he points out some possible discrepancies:

A photo appearing in the British tabloid the Daily Mail shows a book very clearly passing behind the president’s head, though the clarity — such a sharp image would require a very fast shutter speed — is not the only reason to doubt its authenticity: the background behind the president is quite different from the background in the video, and the president appears to be wearing a different shirt than the one he has on in other images. (In addition, his sleeves are rolled up to a different height in the Daily Mail photo.)

But alas, the Secret Service has put bookgate conspiracy theories to rest. According to ABC:

The US Secret Service found and interviewed the man who threw the book onstage. He was deemed to be an “overexhuberant” supporter who wanted the President to have a copy of a book he had written, according the Special Agent Edwin Donovan of the Secret Service in Washington. “He was deemed not to be a threat and was not arrested,” Donovan told ABC News.

But that doesn’t mean streakergate is over. Kavanagh gives us more food for thought:

Gawker also published a photo of the “streaker,” though it’s provenance also seems dubious too. Gawker cites a Weekly Standard blogger saying the stunt “captured the attention of . . . an Associated Press photographer,“ but the photo is credited to Joey ”Boots” Bassolino, whose name does not appear in connection to the AP in any other references sought in a Google search. Another blogger calls Bassolino a co-conspirator in the plot to win $1 million from Akli David, said to be the son of a Turkish Coca-Cola bottling company owner.

Where the photo came from is an interesting question. But the incident seems to have happened. Again, ABC humors us:

A White House official travelling [sic] with the President to Philadelphia says the staff was aware of the streaker but did not see his attempt to dash in front of the stage.

Still, true conspiracy theorists won’t let that stop them. It could be all part of the cover up, right? The staff was “made aware,” but by who? Without seeing the actual streaker, can ABC’s report really be considered a confirmation? Were there reports of UFOs in the area? How can you know for sure that there wasn’t?

“Whom to believe in all this?” Kavangh asks. “Hard to say, as the incidents could be just another example of the hard-to-pin-down reality of the digital world, in which drawing attention to oneself is sometimes the highest order of business.”

He may have just left the conspiratorial door cracked enough for those who want to keep looking. We’ll at least continue peeking and let you know.

Comments (42)

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  • Constitutional
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:45pm

    It’s a good thing the book missed him. He might have unleashed the fury of Allah on us all.

    Report Post » Constitutional  
  • kerrcarto
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:15pm

    With a throw like that it must have been Charlie Crist. To bad it wasn’t Nolan Ryan

    Report Post » kerrcarto  
  • wash1776
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:11pm

    Too bad it didn‘t hit him in the mouth so he couldn’t lie anymore for awhile.

    Report Post »  
    • Moose6310
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:03pm

      Well if he didn‘t lie then he wouldn’t be able to talk, because that’s all he does is LIE! His teleprompters are programed to LIE…..

      Report Post »  
  • Flannie
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:40pm

    No president should be in danger of being hit regardless of what we feel about him politically. We have depreciated horribly as a society if we believe that is ever okay.

    Report Post »  
  • temple62
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:34pm

    Too bad the thrower missed. Obama is so oblivious he needs to be hit with a dull object to get his attention. Well, another projectile is headed his was on election day, Nov 2nd. And this one will be directly on target.

    Report Post » temple62  
  • Tagudinian
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:25pm

    Stop with the symbolism… why don’t they throw the book at him – really – for not showing his papers?

    Report Post » Tagudinian  
  • Sunnyr
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:12pm

    I hope it was a copy of “The Constitution for Dummies.” This moron needs to read it for the first time.

    Report Post » Sunnyr  
    • NoName22
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:17pm

      “The Complete Idiots Guide to the Constitution.”

      Report Post »  
    • RoAdFiXeR
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:32pm

      More like 1 – How to give a speech and say nothing.
      2 – From Kenya with love
      3 – A guide to good putting
      4 – How to spend money like a Kennedy
      5 – Some day when I’m president

      Report Post » RoAdFiXeR  
  • Jimmers46
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:05pm

    I hope Obama’s second term is in Ft. Leavenworth or Gitmo! None dare call it treason??????

    Report Post »  
  • Taquoshi
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:01pm

    I think I hear Ray Stevens singing in the back ground. Wait, wait! What’s that?? “Don’t look Ethel!”

    Here he comes, look at that, look at that
    There he goes, look at that, look at that
    And he ain‘t wearin’ no clothes

    Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
    Look at that, look at that
    Fastest thing on two feet
    Look at that, look at that
    He’s just as proud as he can be
    Of his anatomy
    He goin’ give us a peek

    Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
    Look at that, look at that
    He likes to show off his physique
    Look at that, look at that
    If there’s an audience to be found
    He‘ll be streakin’ around
    Invitin’ public critique

    http://www.songagram.com/Have_A_Nice_Day/TheStreakwav.htm

    Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • TheBloodOfTyrants
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 3:11pm

    I think the keyword was “supporter.” Anyone else throwing a book at Nobama probably would have disappeared forever.

    Report Post » TheBloodOfTyrants  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:59pm

    Democrats have terrible aim.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • dmyze
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:11pm

    I think it was:

    “The complete idoits guide to the oval office”

    Report Post » dmyze  
  • historypaper
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:04pm

    The lack of reporting regarding both the book and streaking incident is the Obama script. Never tell the story, hide the picture, everything is fine. The Secret Service needs to step up and explain how strangers are in the white-house, how a book thrower gets that close, lucky is wasnt an exploding book and how a fat guy runs around the president naked. This white-house and seemingly everything attached to it remains the joke. Same people run the economy, a couple of wars, budget performance, tax rates and the toxic white house garden. Just great.

    Report Post » historypaper  
    • TheAntiProgressive
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:20pm

      Absolutely, historypaper.

      When shoes were thrown at Bush the Secret Service leapt into action to protect the POTUS. How did Secret Service react? The article said they “found and interviewed” the man who threw the book. You mean they didn’t pounce the moment the book was thrown?

      Could this be a dress-rehearsal for an assassination?

      Report Post » TheAntiProgressive  
  • LSX
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:21pm

    Might have been a hard copy version of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights since he completely avoids those writings!

    .

    .

    Report Post » LSX  
  • VanGrungy
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:16pm

    This is a foreshadow of the Impeachment ‘book’ about to be thrown at Obama

    Report Post » VanGrungy  
  • rayoohoo@yahoo.com
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:13pm

    Book Title is “How To write Your Own Resume.”

    Report Post »  
  • AMLFRANK
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:07pm

    That’s the closest OBAM-NATION have ever been to the US Constitution!

    Report Post »  
  • C. Schwehr
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:06pm

    The book was thrown on stage by an “overexuberant” supporter? RIIIIIIGHT!

    Sounds like things are starting to melt down for the messiah already and the damage control isn’t very effective…

    Report Post »  
  • ConservativeFeminist
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:06pm

    Title on book:

    “Marxism for Idiots”

    Report Post » ConservativeFeminist  
  • jamgdurrett
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:03pm

    Even though we do not agree with the presidents philosophies, he is still our president. We must protect the office of presidency. There is no reason a person should ever throw anything at the president. If we don’t believe in his ideas we must still respect the office. If the media did the job they were supposed to be doing, I think people like this would dwindle. Under no circumstances should anything be thrown at our president, nor should there be streakers or people calling out names towards the president. President Obama may not be a good president, but he deserves our respect. If we are wanting to overturn his policies and get him out of office, the right needs to be respectful. Let’s show the nation how being moral, honest, and traditional is the best path for our country. We need to be true Christians and be respectful!!!

    Report Post »  
  • jbl8199
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:01pm

    What I’m wondering is, what the book was about?

    Report Post » jbl8199  
  • vonryansexpress
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:53pm

    We want Mr. Obama to be repudiated at the polls in 2012. May he and his lovely wife spend the rest of their lives in each others company.

    Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:08pm

      Note to Herr VonRyan: If the messiah doesn’t get another four years (let us pray he doesn’t) then I could she the “first lady” packing up and doing a Hilary Clinton on him She’s there for the power and perks. Once those are gone, there’s no reason to stay…

      Report Post »  
  • Ellie
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:50pm

    Crazy way to try and get Obama to read your book. Wouldn’t have been easier to get a copy to A-Jad or Castro to readn and then give to Obama because he loves to read books given to him by the thugs of the world.

    Click my name for some cool new anti-progressivism designs.

    Report Post » Ellie  
  • Beltfeed
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:46pm

    FREE “OBAMA DARTBOARD” click on BELTFEED above to get yours.

    You can throw darts at this and not get in trouble.

    Report Post » Beltfeed  
  • McBreezy
    Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:35pm

    I‘m surprised they didn’t say it was a crazy right-wing nut…

    Report Post »  
    • caitlynsdad
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:46pm

      McBreezy, it couldn’t have been a crazy right-wing nut. Don‘t you know conservatives don’t own books. ;)

      Report Post » caitlynsdad  
    • angelcat
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:03pm

      More conservative author books are sold than those by liberals by far. More conservatives actually read rather than depending in MTV, Jon Stewart, and Bill Maher, The Daily Kos, etc. to educate themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • caitlynsdad
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:11pm

      @Angelcat
      I could be wrong, but I suspect you think me a smartass troll. Not at all; I was just being facetious–making fun of the liberal stereotype.

      Report Post » caitlynsdad  
    • FreedomOfSpeech
      Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:17pm

      The still shot of the book looks like “The Coming Insurrection”. Could it be? Nonetheless, had Obama gotten hold of the book, he probably would have burned it (unless it was once of his crappy autobiographies).

      Obama burns books just like the Nazis did.

      Report Post » FreedomOfSpeech  
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