Patterico's Pontifications

10/16/2008

Secret Service: Only the Reporter Heard Someone Say “Kill Him” at Scranton Palin Rally (Updated)

Filed under: 2008 Election,Media Bias — DRJ @ 11:55 am



[Guest post by DRJ]

On Tuesday, reporter David Singleton of the Scranton (PA) Times Leader reported that a man at a Sarah Palin rally said “Kill him” as a Republican Congressional candidate warmed up the crowd with anti-Obama rhetoric:

“1:25 p.m.

[Republican Congressional candidate] Chris Hackett addressed the increasingly feisty crowd as they await the arrival of Gov. Palin.

Each time the Republican candidate for the seat in the 10th Congressional District mentioned Barack Obama the crowd booed loudly.

One man screamed “kill him!”

Supporters have been noted shouting “kill him,” “terrorist,” “off with his head” and other equally incendiary terms about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Others have directly suggested Mr. Obama is a Muslim, which he is not, or a traitor. Some comments even drew rebuke from Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

Other than the lone man, there were no other such outbursts.

Now we learn Singleton may have special powers of observation that others lack since the Secret Service announced no one other than the reporter heard anyone yell “Kill him” at the Palin rally:

“The agent in charge of the Secret Service field office in Scranton said allegations that someone yelled “kill him” when presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s name was mentioned during Tuesday’s Sarah Palin rally are unfounded.
***
Agent Bill Slavoski said he was in the audience along with an undisclosed number of Secret Service agents and not one heard the comment.

“I was baffled,” he said after reading the report.

He said the agency conducted an investigation Wednesday, and could not find one person to corroborate the allegation other than Singleton.

Slavoski said more than 20 non-security agents were interviewed Wednesday, all of whom were at the Republican vice presidential candidate’s rally at the Riverfront Sports Complex.

“We have yet to find someone to back up the story,” Slavoski said. “We had people all over and we have yet to find anyone who said they heard it.”

Singleton and the Times Leader stand by the story but I’m not surprised. In addition to being smarter than everyone else, maybe reporters like Singleton have better hearing, too.

H/T daleyrocks.

UPDATE: Dana Milbank says the Secret Service is actively preventing the media from accessing supporters at Palin’s rallies:

“I wasn’t at the Scranton event, but I have to say the Secret Service is in dangerous territory here. In cooperation with the Palin campaign, they’ve started preventing reporters from leaving the press section to interview people in the crowd. This is a serious violation of their duty — protecting the protectee — and gets into assisting with the political aspirations of the candidate. It also often makes it impossible for reporters to get into the crowd to question the people who say vulgar things. So they prevent reporters from getting near the people doing the shouting, then claim it’s unfounded because the reporters can’t get close enough to identify the person.

Milbank also claimed the local paper reported two instances of someone yelling “Kill him.” Odd, that, since the original report specifically said there was only one outburst.

— DRJ

62 Responses to “Secret Service: Only the Reporter Heard Someone Say “Kill Him” at Scranton Palin Rally (Updated)”

  1. I wonder who the reporter is voting for ? I’ve been reading concerns about Obama agents provocateur at these rallies but I hadn’t thought about the reporter being the Obama agent before.

    Interesting.

    Mike K (f89cb3)

  2. I think this reporter is a disciple of Mary Mapes and Dan Rather.

    PCD (7fe637)

  3. Rosa Brooks repeated the lie in her screed today. I already e-mailed the Times’ apologist (oops, reader representative) and asked when the Times would print the retraction. I shall not hold my breath.

    kyle (9d9e73)

  4. To paraphrase the loser who’s running for the Senate seat in MN: “lying liars and the lies they tell.”

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  5. The reporter must have a very soft voice.

    Amphipolis (fdbc48)

  6. Another example of…

    THE MEDIA LIES, and TREES DIE!

    Another Drew (6ac001)

  7. What is up with Biden’s face changing daily? Look at 0:24 in this. Is he healthy?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j66LUroXUck

    Wesson (f6c982)

  8. Filing a false police report is a crime. Is “reporting” a false terroristic threat against a presidential candidate a crime?

    It is an act requiring the Secret Service to expend resources on an unwarranted investigation.

    Even if impossible to prove, I hope the reporter gets a good stare-down and the press gets the word that the feds will investigate and prosecute such claims without adequate documentation.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  9. I am sure that across America, there were millions who were watching the debate last night who wanted John McCain to smack down with extreme prejudice the “kill him” smear. Regarding the final Schieffer question last night (as you can see on the live thread), I was begging for McCain to point out that Obama has no cred on education after the failure of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, his only executive experience of any significance.

    I don’t know why Republicans commonly refuse to demolish a Dem talking point with a well-documented fact. You see it all the time on Meet the Press, etc. It’s almost as if there is an unwritten rule coming from the RNC hierarchy that people don’t like it, so they can’t do it.

    L.N. Smithee (0931d2)

  10. I don’t know why Republicans commonly refuse to demolish a Dem talking point with a well-documented fact. You see it all the time on Meet the Press, etc. It’s almost as if there is an unwritten rule coming from the RNC hierarchy that people don’t like it, so they can’t do it.

    It is like McCain is afraid of actually punching back, L.N. It is baffling.

    JD (f7900a)

  11. L.N. – I wanted McCain to say to Obama that: “the American people don’t want to be hoodwinked or bamboozled by fast talk with no specifics such as your plans in tough times. The chickens are coming home to roost from too much government spending. We don’t need tax increases to make the government bigger in times like these, we need tax cuts to leave money with the people and businesses so they can increase jobs and grow the economy. Experience shows us that.”

    It would have been interesting to see Obama’s shocked face if some of those words were thrown back at him.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  12. Where’s Lovey?

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  13. One would think that any Secret Service agent’s ears would stand up and start to rotate like a radar dish if anyone were to mention “Kill” near them in a crowd, where a candidate was about to speak. They’re only there to forestall a replay of the Bremer/Wallace attempted assassination. If the Secret Service – people who are looking and listening for anything untoward in the crowd – didn’t hear it, there’s an excellent chance it never happened.

    Let’s be charitable. The reporter probably heard someone say “Obama? I’m not thrilled about him” and simply misinterpreted what he heard.

    Michael Giles (15d2a7)

  14. Where’s Lovey?

    Refer to the previous thread regarding the McCain debate; The Bobo is in serious need of some medication for manic – depression.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  15. Supporters have been noted shouting “kill him,” “terrorist,” “off with his head” and other equally incendiary terms about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

    “Off with his head?!” Who talks like that?

    Voice of Reason (f764a1)

  16. Milbank better put on his orange hat and go hide in the woods.

    Jim Treacher (592cb4)

  17. If a man falls in the woods screams at a rally (and no one hears it) does he make a sound?

    dfbaskwill (beb902)

  18. I’ve heard that one of the symptoms of Bush Derangement Syndrom is hearing impairment.

    jwarner (0c2175)

  19. For lying to the public, this journalist (David Singleton) should be punished by voiding three of his ten Obama votes.

    Perfect Sense (9d1b08)

  20. “falls in the woods” was supposed to be struck through!

    dfbaskwill (beb902)

  21. “Off with his head?!” Who talks like that?/i>

    The peasants who followed Robespierre, I believe.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  22. The conservative MSM is responsible for this.

    JD (5f0e11)

  23. “Off with his head?!” Who talks like that?/i>

    Wasn’t it the mob at the Court of the Queen, in “Through the Looking Glass“?

    Another Drew (6ac001)

  24. The conservative MSM is responsible for this.

    I agree – specifically, those right – wing zealots over at MSNBC. After all, Presbyterian said so.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  25. ‘head-on’-the headache remedy stick..
    just like the lil’ palestinian boy cowering in his pappys arms-it’ll take along time to correct the record-/of course-iffn’ you care about the truth

    pdbuttons (359493)

  26. Fix your paper name. It’s the Scranton Times-Tribune. The Times Leader is the Wilkes-Barre paper.
    Otherwise, spot on.

    bob (466a1d)

  27. The lefties are now saying that this alleged “hate talk” is because the McCain-Palin people know we are losing. Gallup doesn’t agree.

    What do angry and losing lefties say ?

    Mike K (f89cb3)

  28. Hey gang, I received this notice today by undisclosed means. I cannot vouch for authenticity:

    You should all know by now there are two possibilities, and only two possibilities:

    1. Karl Rove is behind it, we just can’t figure out his grand scheme.

    Or

    2. Even if nobody said it, it’s the kind of thing they want to say and that somebody somewhere must have said sometime, so it might just as well be true, no matter what Little Green Footballs has to say.

    D. Rather

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  29. Where’s Lovey?
    Nice job, Daley. But it proves nothing.

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  30. That’s exactly what I thought you would say Lovey. What would prove something? I’m guessing nothing except getting someone to confess to yelling what the reporter claimed to having heard yelled. Otherwise, you will remain convinced of the righteousness of your position through evidence, fair and foul.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  31. Lovey – I’ve been meaning to tell you about some of the amazing things I’ve heard Obama saying into his cell phone. He probably didn’t realize I was listening. You might have doubts since it’s only one person’s account, just like the reporter at that Palin rally, but I swear it’s true. I’ll write more when I have a chance.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  32. But it proves nothing.

    Comment by love2008 — 10/16/2008 @ 4:50 pm

    I guess the only way to satisfy your skepticism is the Vulcan mind meld.

    CW Desiato (614aa7)

  33. Otherwise, you will remain convinced of the righteousness of your position through evidence, fair and foul.

    The Bobo cannot actually think, therefore attempting to reason with it becomes a fruitless endeavor. However, playing a game of ring toss with it’s head will result in a more meaningful outcome.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  34. Comment by daleyrocks — 10/16/2008 @ 5:24 pm
    I don’t trust those Secret Service agents. If they heard anything, why would they say it? Especially if they secretly support Palin? We need an independent investigation. They also need to question the reporter and find out exactly which angle the words came from. I don’t even see how any ardent Palin suppoter would like to rat out on a fellow supporter. Their findings are highly debateable and suspicious.

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  35. Comment by Dmac — 10/16/2008 @ 5:44 pm

    Hey, Doofus, why don’t you try something else? You are becoming so boring, it’s beginning to embarass your friends.

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  36. Dmac – I think you could land a 747 in between its ears and not cause any damage.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  37. Comment by CW Desiato — 10/16/2008 @ 5:33 pm

    Yes. I would suggest doing it on the minds of those S.S. agents. Lets know everything they saw. (And all the other stuffs not related to the issue. 😉 )

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  38. I don’t trust those Secret Service agents. If they heard anything, why would they say it?

    It’s their job?

    Especially if they secretly support Palin?

    That’s why we use the mind meld.

    We need an independent investigation.

    Let’s just waterboard everyone that was there.

    They also need to question the reporter and find out exactly which angle the words came from.

    I nominate you to lead up this endeavor. Take Spock and Lt. Johnson.

    I don’t even see how any ardent Palin suppoter would like to rat out on a fellow supporter.

    We await the result of your findings with baited breath.

    Their findings are highly debateable and suspicious.

    Comment by love2008 — 10/16/2008 @ 5:45 pm

    As long as we have people like you, yes.

    CW Desiato (614aa7)

  39. I don’t trust those Secret Service agents. If they heard anything, why would they say it? Especially if they secretly support Palin? We need an independent investigation. They also need to question the reporter and find out exactly which angle the words came from. I don’t even see how any ardent Palin suppoter would like to rat out on a fellow supporter. Their findings are highly debateable and suspicious.

    Comment by love2008 — 10/16/2008 @ 5:45 pm

    😮

    love2008,
    It’s their whole function in in life right now to root out threats to the presidential candidates.

    So, you do honestly think that they would put protecting a possibly threatening person for political reasons (that would be assuming ALL the agents involved are Republican, a statistically unwise bet) above protecting the life of someone under their charge?

    I was going to make a mean parallel to political advantage+Dems+abortion but will just ask:

    is this your real answer? You’re more willing to doubt the honesty of SS agents than to admit that a reporter either heard totally wrong or made it up?

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  40. I don’t even see how any ardent Palin suppoter would like to rat out on a fellow supporter.

    You’d be hard pressed to find a more ardent Palin supporter than I but I’d rat out someone who I knew seriously yelled “kill him” about ANYONE, in a heartbeat.

    Would either help protect Obama’s life or help expose an Obama plant, both all good in my book.

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  41. Day after day, we see the media manipulate this election, in collusion with the Democrats and the left.

    I feel like we are swimming against a tsunami.

    Patricia (ee5c9d)

  42. I know that people who worked for Pravda had little choice to be objective or not. It is much less understandable why people would do it to themselves. The world gone mad.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  43. If they heard anything, why would they say it?

    That you would even ask such a question makes me believe that you yourself, if confronted with the same situation, would not “rat out” a fellow supporter, that instead of being honest in order to potentially protect someone you would remain silent.

    The Secret Service would say something, love, as well as a Palin supporter because some people are bound by honor and obligation and a sense of duty and it supercedes their personal preferences. and desires. Its something to work toward.

    Dana (658c17)

  44. I’m watching the Al Smith dinner and McCain’s remarks were truly funny and modest. Obama showed once again that he has no sense of humor. Interesting.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  45. Mike K., I was watching too. What a terrific surprise McCain was – absolutely brilliant – great timing, self-deprecating and I really wish he could have revealed some of that last night. And obviously Obama split a gut at McCain’s speech as well.

    I thought Obama’s was a bit off and he seemed awkward but still funny poking fun at his messiah image…

    Dana (658c17)

  46. Tokyo Rose/Axis Sally replicant says she’s waiting with “baited” breath. I have little doubt her fetid breath is baited, given her puny obfuscating brain in her arse. For the rest of us who actually went to school it is bated.

    In any case what is the big effin’ deal if one pperson shouted out a death threat in the heat of the moment? For all we know it could be an Obamatard plant like TR. And who knows if it might even have been a test? So why would the Secret Service engage in a frackin’ conspiracy over something relatively minor? The hypocritical left said nothing when a known radio “personality”/drunken liberal skank called for Bush’s assassination. Not to mention the cretin who won a Nobel Peace Prize and made threats against the POTUS. Liberals are total pieces of camel dung with their talking points and fake outrage.
    All this wasted BS only helps Obama skate on his plethora of lies. And don’t you just love how the cocky bastard and Pelosi are acting like the One is already the Prez? Remember Truman holding up a paper heralding Dewey’s victory? Or Lurch’s minions believing the exit polls meant he would win?
    I’m not totally sure that Obama as despot wouldn’t at least show America what the Hate America party of defeat/ commie fellating left is made of at last. The arrogant pricks never want to take any responsibility for when the shite hits the fan. McCain warned about the Housing dilemma a few years ago while Obama was taking Fannie/Freddie monies and yet McCain gets blamed by the in the tank for Messiah media.

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  47. Based on my reading of the article, the Secret Service didn’t ask supporters if they heard anyone say “Kill him.” I think the A-in-C said he interrogated non-security personnel who were present throughout the hall and none of them heard a threat.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  48. I’ve updated the post regarding comments by Dana Milbank.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  49. Especially if they secretly support Palin? We need an independent investigation.

    The Bobo, naturally being quite weak – minded, often engages in conspiracy theories, in order to solve difficult problems that other sentient beings would normally call reality.

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  50. I find Milbank’s claim hard to buy, get the film.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  51. MD,

    I agree. I find it very hard to believe.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  52. You know what really bothers me about this? It’s pretty simple: John McCain is not a racist. Nothing in his life or public record would indicate this. If someone said this, he would denounce it, as he has before.

    And the other thing that bugs me about this is there is no proof that the comment was made. But, even if it was, or we to judge a presidential candidate by the comments of someone he doesn’t know and likely doesn’t support.

    Anyone with internet skills can see the fringe opinions of the left or right on the internet. To try to taint a good man with good intentions with the actions of loonies, be they left or right, is dishonest at best.

    I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: I won’t vote for Obama. Not because he’s black or any for other reason. I disagree with his politics.

    However, if he is elected, I will gladly join the loyal opposition and support him if I believe if he is correct and oppose him if I do not.

    Why in the hell is that so hard?

    ag80 (827a75)

  53. Maybe people in the crowd don’t want to talk to the press because, gasp! they don’t trust them. One of the outtakes of Religulous shows a family at some Bible theme park, looking right at the camera and saying “You’re not going to Borat us, are you?”. (Even though Larry Charles thought it was funny, I don’t think that the clip will be on the DVD.)

    The MSM might as well face it–the public has wised up.

    KateCoe (3dabb5)

  54. And, I made a horrible mistake, please substitute “are” for “or” in the second graf. Thanks, I really am a trained journalist.

    ag80 (827a75)

  55. Comment by ag80 — 10/16/2008 @ 8:43 pm

    Yuh keep ‘fessin’ up to misteakes like that, and yuh’re goin’ to loose yur journalizm lisense ‘nd be unemployed.

    Another Drew (6ac001)

  56. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t care if they are talking about Lou Holtz, if there’s Secret Service around, the LAST thing I’m doing is using any word(s) that could be construed to be describing a desire to cause pain to pretty much anyone.

    The Secret Service doesn’t screw around with that sorta crap… You’d find yourself in a painful position rather quickly, I would imagine.

    Scott Jacobs (a1c284)

  57. I am a Journalist and it sickens me at the liberal mainstream media turning its back on so many of Obama’s questionable associations and relationships. The media is a big part of the reason Obama and his leftist illuminati views are in the driver’s seat for the Presidency.

    Jeff (8f2767)

  58. Why do you haters always threaten to kill people?

    JD (f7900a)

  59. Because we hate, JD.

    It’s who we are, it’s what we do.

    🙂

    Scott Jacobs (a1c284)

  60. Oh, well looky here:

    Q: Sen. Obama said during the debate that you had done nothing about supporters at some of your rallies who said things about him such as “terrorist” and “kill him.”

    PALIN: “If anybody had ever called out something like that, ‘kill him,’ I would have said something about that. I don’t think that has ever happened in a rally. I certainly never heard it. … That would be quite inappropriate and unacceptable.”

    She didn’t hear it. The only person out of a crowd of, what, thousands to hear it was a reporter.

    Perhaps it came from inside the reporter’s head, kind of like the voices that inspire love2008.

    CW Desiato (614aa7)

  61. Today FoxNews reported that the Secret Service had concluded the original “kill him” incident was bogus, too. Apparently, the person yelled “tell him” or “tell ’em,” while Palin was talking about Ayers.

    In other words, two bogus “kill him” incidents, zero legitimate ones. I mean, zero legitimate ones relating to the candidate who whined about them in the debate. About Palin herself, different story.

    Xrlq (62cad4)

  62. Looks like some people shot a few “non-violent” .22 and paintball rounds at the Straight-Talk Express in New Mexico.

    CW Desiato (614aa7)


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