'Exuberant' author aims for President, meets Secret Service
(CNN) - The Secret Service is now shedding some more light on the circumstances surrounding a man who threw a book at President Obama at an event in Pennsylvania Sunday. And they're not throwing the book at him.
According to Secret Service spokesperson, Ed Donovan, the person involved was an overzealous author who just wanted to toss his book into the president's reading list.
"He was an over exuberant person who wrote a book that he wanted the president to read," Donovan told CNN.
President Obama did not appear to notice the book being hurled on stage, which was caught on video, as he was concluding his remarks to a Democratic National Committee rally in Philadelphia. But Vice President Biden, who was standing behind the president, apparently noticed the incident.
After Secret Service agents saw the man throw the book, they detained and interviewed him and determined he was not a threat. Because he was not charged, the Secret Service is not releasing any information about the individual.
Everyone who attends presidential events is screened for dangerous objects by the Secret Service. Donovan said they don't plan on changing anything.
"A book isn't considered a dangerous object so we're not going to start prohibiting books or any inanimate objects," he said. "The person threw a book on stage and our agents acted appropriately."
This wasn't the only thing that kept law enforcement officials busy at the rally. Earlier, while the president was speaking, a naked man ran through the audience. He was reportedly responding to a $1 million pledge by a billionaire to become the first person to streak an Obama rally.
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I really believe that. When I actually saw the book sailing, it did not seem as if it was meant to hit President Obama!! This story is DEAD!!
Now for the STREAKER – he's a RICH FOOL now because he will be paid off and will get a simple fine and released!!!
This is T'SAH from Virginia and I approve this message!
They just let him go with no charges? Huh? This sends a terrible message. Get your books ready people!
I guess I was mistaken about my earlier comment regarding this story when it first came out on CNN and I retract it fully.
Wonder if he had a permit to carry a concealed book?
Too bad he was such a bad pitcher.
Let's hope this overzealous author remains in anonymity.
It sounded like someone throwing a book "to" Obama not "at" Obama from the start.
Yuh huh. And the Chamber of Commerce took foreign donations. Geez.
I think they should throw the book at him.
They should respect our president.
If someone can get close enough to throw a book, they can get close enough to throw a bomb, and with all the virulent hate-mongering going on, someone will surely try. As an author who had to go through an obstacle course before getting published, I understand this man's motives, but he has demonstrated a major gap in the President's security – one I hope is amended before someone less benign takes advantage of it.
Active Duty Democrat here – Americans..civilians in particular seriously need to show more respect for the Presidency...Bush included! Can't we all agree to disagree in a civilized manner? We live in a country where the power to change things is primarily in your vote...don't like the guy? Rally your like-minded people and vote him out! That doesn't go without saying that maybe...just maybe the majority of Americans won't agree with you! Tough! /End rant.
I just watched him speak and it seems he is always trying to divide our nation instead of trying to bring it together like a REAL President SHOULD do. But, then again, He doesn't even respect this country. He can't put his hand over his heart for the National Anthem. THAT is only ONE of the things that shows the lack of respect for this country. WHY should it suprise you when he is direspected?
I had assumed the book was a copy of the constitution since it is obvious Obama has never read it.
lol Bush gets shoes thrown at him and Obama get books thrown at him.
I would've streaked for a cool $100,000.
What was the book? What was it about? Who wrote it? I'm dying to know!
Why does CNN have the Bush vs. Obama poll up for days and days, whereas most polls are up for no more than one day, 2 max. Hmmm, maybe a thinly veiled effort to make this election against Bush??? I think so – no other reason makes any sense.
A shoe, a book. This is the top story when the New York troops overseas will not get to vote?? The NY Election committee had 2 years to correct the mistake that cost New York troops about 50% of their votes. What has that (bipartisan under Dem leadership) committee been doing every day for the past two years?? The troops can die for us yet they can't vote with us??????
I thought it may have been he Koran Obama left at the Ayers' household....but then I realized...he probably already has it memorized, so its all good...