Did anyone see the security guys surrounding Pete?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I saw 3 big muscular types standing around him, keeping an eye on everyone.

I suspect they're private......anyone know for sure?

They sure looked like they were on the ball.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Candidates don't get SS protection until they are nominated, so

they probably would have been private security.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. That's what I thought--thanks! n/t

[applegrove]

3. Obama got as before he was nominated. I guess it depends on the threat level.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. I do recall that now. It wasn't surprising at the time,

probably would be even worse now.

[applegrove]

21. I just read it in Michelle's book 'Becoming'.

[hlthe2b]

5. Unless there is a specific threat assessment that validates need (e.g., Obama)

[Omaha Steve]

26. Actually several candidates in the past have had protection that didn't get nominated

Several have requested the SS and gotten it that never got nominated. As early as the 80's Jesse Jackson (88) had it when he was in Omaha in May. In 08 Obama got Secret Service by request after death threats started after he won the Iowa caucus.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

28. I can't think what it was about both Jackson and Obama that they'd need SS protection.

[CharleyDog]

4. RW hatred might have threatened him already. I'm sure he makes their heads

explode (I'm surprised ol Pence still has his custard-fill noggin intact). Especially when he talks about his husband as he did so eloquently today.

[IndyOp]

6. I saw them. Black suits, white shirts, standing near Pete and Chasten

and staring at people in the crowd. They were watching people near the front of the pack - their hands and bags and... - and then sweep their eyes back over the crowd and then focus on the people in front again. They were on the ball. As the events get larger, they will need more security, of course.

Peggy - Did you notice it was raining inside Studebaker Building 84? The podium was wet and the speakers and audience had drops landing on them. A huge building, may take many years before all of the space is renovated and in use.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Thanks for your astute remarks, my dear IndyOp!

I noticed the same things about the security guys.

And I did notice the rain drops on people's clothes. I thought wow, this campaign shows just how much work needs to be done everywhere! But they didn't let it stop them, not for a moment.

It was well handled, IMHO.

[IndyOp]

8. I was disappointed that they had about 10+ minutes of dead time

in the middle of the event. They should've shown Pete's exploratory committee video or done something - had a band play - just don't leave the impression that the event was not extremely well-planned.

People will make judgments about the competency of the team and that much national airtime is worth millions of dollars.

I know the team is really small right now, so I expect they'll improve.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My TV cut out a couple of times (generator problems)

so I missed the dead time.

I did see a delay when it looked as though they were mopping up some of the leaking rain. Maybe that's what you saw?



In any event, you're right that they will get more polished as time goes on.

[IndyOp]

10. The TV stream did cut out a couple of times - I think it was the C-SPAN feed.

The 10+ minute delay was just before the Mayor of Austin came out - there was no one on stage, the crowd looked restless and bored. The campaign was passing signs out to people in one section of the crowd - that was the most interesting thing happening.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Ah, I did see that. I just accepted it and persisted!

[marlakay]

16. On FB live people were complaining in the comments

i hope his team learns from this. I noticed a few other things but they are a young group.

I kept commenting that he was outside talking to people in the rain but they should have had a band for that time.

[mobeau69]

17. I've heard two theories about that dead time.

1. Pete was outside speaking to the overflow crowd and

2. A decision was made to hold up until the Masters was over.

[IndyOp]

25. Maybe Masters - reasonable to hold, but fill the time. (nt)

[Blue_true]

18. Did the security people look official (Secret Service, State, City)? nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. They looked official to me: black suits, stern, alert expressions.

I didn't see any wires in their ears, though.

[Blue_true]

22. Do Secret Service wear wired devices in their ears still?

Modern technology allow that to go wireless and block any attempt to butt into the transmission.

I guess more will come out about whether they were official or not. If they scanned the crowd in certain ways, they were likely state level or federal and are used to protecting VIPs.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. I have no idea, lol! I guess we'll find out!

[Blue_true]

24. I think so.

You know, maybe that was why Trump fired the Secret Service Director on Monday. The SS assess threats against politicians. Maybe they saw threats against Buttigieg and triggered protection for him. But speculation is just that, things will become clear.

[NCLefty]

13. He's probably gotten death threats from other superstitious people.

[BannonsLiver]

15. If anything it would be city cops

South Bend is a pretty small city.

[JI7]

19. it was probably just security required for these type of large gatherings

[True Dough]

27. I'd be happy to know that contributions to Pete's campaign were going toward security

Anything to keep him safe from the wingnuts. He's the future.