Reality-TV Gig For WH Party Crashers? Think CSPAN
EmailABC News' Jason Ryan reports:
The White House party crashers received a new round of attention this morning with a congressional oversight committee announcing its intention to hold a Thursday hearing with Secret Service director Mark Sullivan Director and Michaele and Tareq Salahi.
The couple, which has been allegedly shopping around various TV news interview proposals to the highest bidder, may get a taste of "reality TV" on C-SPAN – if they agree to appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The committee oversees the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, which include the U.S. Secret Service. Calls to the Salahi's attorney Paul Gardner were not immediately returned today.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the committee, said in a statement: "This is a time for answers, recognition of security deficiencies past and present, and remedies to ensure the strength of the Secret Service and the safety of those under its protection. This is not the time for political games or scapegoating to distract our attention from the careful oversight we must apply to the Secret Service and its mission.”
The U.S. Secret Service did not respond to inquiries about the director's intention to appear at the hearing, set for 10:00am on Thursday.
“My confidence in the management of the Secret Service hangs in the balance,” chairman Thompson said.
According to a congressional aide, the committee has been in communication with the Secret Service about the security breach.
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I hope these two are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They’ve managed to ruin the event and make the president and first lady look like fools. Apparently the secret service can’t manage the tent sized gathering. Desiree should ultimately should take the fall as she planned the 400 guest affair and seemed more worried to appear in her designer gown than doing her job of making sure that only invited guests were let into the event.
Posted by: ohiogal | November 30, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
I thought the secret service was supposed to make sure the president doesn’t get hurt. The crashers did not attend the state dinner with guns blazing, they just attended with their hunger to boost their careers and brands blazing. I just blogged about how party crashing can help your career. (www.careerdiva.net) The DC state dinner crashers just did this on an uber scale.
Posted by: CareerDiva | November 30, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Although the secret service failed in their duties, these two crashers must also be held accountable for their actions. Why have they not been arrested?
Posted by: Grace Period | November 30, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
I’m not sure this Reality TV wannabe couple deserves a tell all in front of a congressional committee. Why reward them with a high-profile gig? Just let the Secret Service and police grill them.
What I really think needs congressional investigation, even 50 years later is the inexplicable conduct of the Secret Service during the JFK assassination. Why did they violate so many basic Secret Service protocols that day in Dallas. The side men who run along side the president and ride on his back bumper were called away. A bizarre and dangerous detour into Dealey Plaza was approved. And much more. The limo driver. He virtually stopped the car prior to the fatal shot instead of speeding away. The Secret Service limo driver had said he never looked at JFK and only turned once. But we know he turned twice and looked directly at JFK. He said he believed the first shots were motorcycle backfires. All very suspicious. And that still is unknown 50 years later. It’s outrageous that every one knows the official story is bull but we still don’t know the facts.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | November 30, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
i think c-span is the only tv they ought to appear on…
Posted by: justsane | November 30, 2009, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
I am completely dumbfounded by all the wannabe reality show stars. Here’s a thought: how about trying a REALITY LIFE???
Posted by: Pisces0219 | November 30, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
After the hearings & investagation, I hope the medai has enough sense to NOT interview this couple. Every secret service agent at the first check point, should be fired. And I mean FIRED!
Posted by: mrsoriginal13 | November 30, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
I’ve always enjoyed the musical “My Fair Lady” with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. They snuck into a party too.
What’s the big deal if they didn’t have an invitation to the Rich Man’s Party?! Why is Obama partying anyways, while the rest of us are trying to work ourselves out of a recession? If the party is included in the stimulus package then we should all be invited!!!
Posted by: Robert Erickson | December 1, 2009, 10:03 am 10:03 am