White House Manual Details How to Deal With Protesters

[kskiska]

Source: WP

Not that they're worried or anything. But the White House evidently leaves little to chance when it comes to protests within eyesight of the president. As in, it doesn't want any.

A White House manual that came to light recently gives presidential advance staffers extensive instructions in the art of "deterring potential protestors" from President Bush's public appearances around the country.

Among other things, any event must be open only to those with tickets tightly controlled by organizers. Those entering must be screened in case they are hiding secret signs. Any anti-Bush demonstrators who manage to get in anyway should be shouted down by "rally squads" stationed in strategic locations. And if that does not work, they should be thrown out.

But that does not mean the White House is against dissent -- just so long as the president does not see it. In fact, the manual outlines a specific system for those who disagree with the president to voice their views. It directs the White House advance staff to ask local police "to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferably not in the view of the event site or motorcade route."

(snip)

The manual offers advance staffers and volunteers who help set up presidential events guidelines for assembling crowds. Those invited into a VIP section on or near the stage, for instance, must be "extremely supportive of the Administration," it says.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101662_pf.html

[Itchinjim]

1. Wow.

Just frigin' wow.

[pinto]

2. This is telling, especially for a Prez that aides claim 'listens to a range of opinion'

:eyes:

[EFerrari]

3. It's mutual.

I don't want to see that sorry ass, draft dodging, dry drunk, English impaired fake cowboy, failed frat boy, mediocre front man embarrassment to this nation EITHER.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME WATCH THAT.

[rodeodance]

4. "Most often, the demonstrators want a physical confrontation." ????

The manual adds in bold type: "Remember -- avoid physical contact with demonstrators! Most often, the demonstrators want a physical confrontation. Do not fall into their trap!" And it suggests that advance staff should "decide if the solution would cause more negative publicity than if the demonstrators were simply left alone."

[EFerrari]

5. Who on God's green Earth wants to touch THAT?

:wtf:

Are these people high when they write this sh!t or what?

[loves_dulcinea]

13. if they touch me,

i'll sue.

[Eric J in MN]

6. For events where only specific people are wanted, they can...

...give out invitations with people's names on them.

For events for which they distribute general tickets, they should let anyone in who has a ticket.

Joe Lieberman is similar to George W. Bush, in that they both distribute general tickets, but then keep people out on the suspicion that they might disagree with the respective politician.

[Az_lefty]

7. Nixon was paranoid, but this admin is totally psychotic...

:scared:

[momster]

8. Bubble Mirrored On Inside

Protesting is fine just so long as GWB doesn't have to see or hear it. Typical. Ignore it and it will go away has been this administration's hallmark since day one. Worked real well with Al Queda and Katrina, didn't it?

[mogster]

9. Joe Stalin did it this way

Nobody is to question or protest, and the 'reason' for denying people was security issues.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

10. My impression

Bush's staff has always seemed to try to protect him and the feeling I get is that they are most afraid of a public breakdown. Methinks he has a very short fuse and is sometimes very close to completely losing control. They must tiptoe around him.

[City Lights]

11. Dicktator Bubble Boy.

Fecking coward.

[Massachusetts]

12. Democrat Pols Wake Up!

You must Begin across the board Impeachment proceedings NOW!

I have lost faith in the Democratic party. Just more hot air and bluster with minimal result.

[lakeguy]

17. democratIC pols. nt.

[harun]

14. This is why almost all speeches now are to military on military

bases. From B*sh and Cheney.

[Miss Chybil]

15. I miss my country... nt

[Supersedeas]

16. restrict access to public debate -- and the Corp Media finds this 'appealing'

[NashVegas]

18. Bush's "Performance" as President

Their method of presenting Georgie is very similar to how an actor or other creative person's "handlers" move to keep distractions out of the way.