Good lord: Four arrested in assassination plot against Obama?
posted at 10:10 pm on August 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
An early report quoted cops as saying they were skeptical there was any actual plan involved. Really? They had rifles with scopes, white supremacist tattoos and jewelry, and one of them said something to police about targeting Obama. And just as I’m typing that, Drudge red-fonts this update describing their intent to shoot him from a “high vantage point” from 750 yards away. Sounds plan-ish to me.
Sources told CBS4 police found two high-powered, scoped rifles in the car along with camouflage clothing, walkie-talkies, a bulletproof vest, a spotting scope, licenses in the names of other people and methamphetamine. One of the rifles is listed as stolen from Kansas.
Subsequently authorities went to the Cherry Creek Hotel to contact an associate of Gartrell’s. But that man, who was wanted on numerous warrants, jumped out of a sixth floor hotel window. Law enforcement sources say the man broke an ankle in the fall and was captured moments later. Sources say he was wearing a ring with a swastika, and is thought to have ties to white supremacist organizations.
A third man — an associate of Gartrell and the hotel jumper was also arrested. He told authorities that the two men “planned to kill Barack Obama at his acceptance speech.”
That man, along with a woman, are also under arrest.
Seriously, the guy should have his own National Guard detail just to be on the safe side.
Update: ABC quotes other cops as saying he was in no immediate danger and notes this:
After pulling over two men for allegedly driving erratically early Sunday morning, Aurora Police said they discovered two rifles, a bulletproof vest and the drug methamphetamine in the car. When authorities questioned the men about the findings, they pointed to another member of their alleged drug ring whom they say made a threat against Obama.
Update: “It could also turn out that these were nothing but a bunch of knuckleheads, meth heads.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Just today an African American co-worker and I were talking, and he was the one saying there would be attempts, and I was saying that we were past that nonsense. The stupidity of the individual never ceases to amaze.
I just hope they don’t get a liberal judge when it comes to sentencing.
Hog Wild on August 25, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Sheesh… do we really want such a polarizing President?
I thought that he was going to Unite the Country?
Sounds pretty divisive to me..
Chakra Hammer on August 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Obama’s putting his kids backing to the campaign again..
Chakra Hammer on August 25, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Even worse!
Meth Freak #1: Hey man. I bet you an ounce you couldn’t hit a bus from 500 yards!
Meth Freak #2: I bet you two ounces I could do it from further than that!
Days later the pair is nabbed with a kilo of meth and babbling about…..
Tony Soprano on August 25, 2008 at 10:58 PM
But you know that one of the MSMs will carry the headline, “Obama survives assassination attempt; vows to continue campaign to the White House.”
whennessy on August 25, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Oh that’s right. That program is only for foreign terrorists.
/Can’t believe one of yous didn’t spike that set for me!
RushBaby on August 25, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Chakra Hammer on August 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Not so tough on the range with pros and pro ordnance.
Tony Soprano on August 25, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Hmmmm…. Hillary’s hit men?
LibertarianConservative on August 25, 2008 at 11:08 PM
We can only hope that if they do take him out we don’t have all his brothers riding his coat tails into office like Kennedy’s did.
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Sounds political to me, BO can pick up 4-6 pts off of this crap. To all sharp shooters, a good shot with a fantastic rifle and a spotter, can shoot farther, but no very good shooter with a good gun can shoot 750 yards with dependable accuracy.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Thank God. I hope she stays safe.
wise_man on August 25, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Someone should check for the connection of these ninjas to Jesse jackson.
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Yeah, I’ll just bet these genuises could hit a target at 750 yards……hey neat idea, let’s legalize drugs. After all, they’re harmless.
GarandFan on August 25, 2008 at 11:13 PM
I’m still wondering if they were from Arkansas. And maybe they knew somebody who knew somebody who maybe used to work for Rose Law Firm…
MadisonConservative on August 25, 2008 at 11:13 PM
talked about this with my wife… Neither one of us want anything bad to happen to Obama..
for one thing, it would almost give Barack instant sainthood..
DaveC on August 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Depends. Are you talking days, hours or seconds.
wise_man on August 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
With a normal gun and a day with ZERO wind a great shot can hit a 6 inch bulls eye most of the time. 750 yards????? with wind??? swirling wind????? lol
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
The other thing is I would start checking to see who Biden’s people have talked to the past few days..
DaveC on August 25, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Opps I meant from 300 yards 6 inch bullseye. sorry
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Ooops, got bumped off the page.
Did anybody hear Rush today mention Ed and HotAir?
Tony737 on August 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I did not but I only heard maybe 2 hours
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I’m thinkin’ some typical dirtbags carrying a little militia type hardware and supplements in order to feel tough, got stopped, ratted a buddy with warrants and a big mouth, and it went downhill fast for them from there. I’ll be surprised if there was any type of actual plan.
a capella on August 25, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I suspect, as I stated above, this is a demo plan to get pity for BO and to take down the GOP as racists.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:22 PM
In other words, the cops mistakenly arrested a couple of Democrat delegates.
Texas Rainmaker on August 25, 2008 at 11:22 PM
No, we don’t. We used to until the NEA destroyed it and feminists destroyed the traditional family that put decent kids into the school system.
Connie on August 25, 2008 at 11:22 PM
These dopes are the redneck comedy tour of assassination cells, no real threat. The successful operator will be the skilled lone wolf who can fly under the radar and won’t need a spotter, get-away driver or meth cooker.
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I’m very informed on his positions.
philnewkirk on August 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Phil,
I’m wildly curious. What positions of Senator Obama’s do you support as a conservative?
SheofTwoMinds on August 25, 2008 at 11:27 PM
…breaking news: they were clinging to their bibles!
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I’ve been wondering where the radical right has been hiding. The leftwing moonbats have had far too much press, it was only a matter of time before some skinhead nazi kkk freakozoid decided to take the man out. These crazy people still exist in America and it’s scary. While I hate everything that Obama stands for, I don’t want to see the man killed. Relocated to Africa or Europe? Sure. Killed? No thanks.
cannonball on August 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM
We will see how this pans out, I still say this was a dem stage. No unpaid rednecks involved.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Heh…
and… the boss was attacked by Alex Jones too.
LibertarianConservative on August 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM
*MOAN**SIGH*
Now the nutroots taste the sweet appelation of affirmation. At least they will push this incident as confirming the meme that “Whitey” will be out to get the Dali-bama.
Although the facts seem to indicate that these were some neo-nazi, meth-head, whack-jobs, that were truly living out a pipe-dream (literally), and had no practical shot at O! (pardon the pun) it will be used to validate assasination-mania and to drum up sympathy for the Obamateur…
RocketmanBob on August 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Yep, you got it figured.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I’d step away from the tinfoil.
much more likely
funky chicken on August 25, 2008 at 11:34 PM
hey come on everyone, just think who gains from this? consider the reality of the story! Who has been claiming racism where none existed? What is the soros style? and the list goes on.
This is a socialist setup.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:36 PM
We’ve got to NEGOTIATE with these would be assassins. Let’s see what their hurts and hang-ups are and talk to them. That will make everything better. Merely arresting them doesn’t solve the problem.
Mojave Mark on August 25, 2008 at 11:39 PM
No doubt they were at worst methed-out skinheads (a blue-collar socialist movement, incidentally) with no plausible plan, but don’t expect that to stop them from being branded enthusiastically as “conservatives”–if not on the nightly news, than at least at the fringe venues like Kos and Olbermann’s show.
Blacklake on August 25, 2008 at 11:39 PM
The .50BMG round is great at distance, but won’t turn an average shooter into a great one. Even with a sub-MOA .50BMG and expensive scope, it’s going to take a lot of practice and know-how to hit a target consistantly at that range.
Hollowpoint on August 25, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Fantastic point well taken!!!!!!
Read into Mohave Mark’s statement people!! Lets see how this pans out.
This is a socialist setup, follow the power!
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:41 PM
please read my post.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:43 PM
We’ve got to NEGOTIATE with these would be assassins. – Mark
HA! Best comment so far! (Nobody got hurt, so it’s ok to laugh). I wonder if >O< will sit down and talk with them?
Tony737 on August 25, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Have you read my post now? If so we can agree there are shooter and rifles and guns that will shoot 2,000 yards. Thank you for reading my post.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:45 PM
rifles and scopes
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Ugh… great, the media is going to go wild with this one and Obama will no doubt get a sympathy bounce in the polls.
If you want to see some insanity that would take a lifetime to analyze, check out the Kos Kids’ take:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/25/202351/297/530/575086
For some cops are suddenly heroes, for others this is a real threat (while anything Bush says is “scare tactics”), some are predictably blaming the GOP, etc. etc. There’s a lot to dig through if you’re bored and want a chuckle.
RightWinged on August 25, 2008 at 11:47 PM
He has no reason too, they are friends they will sit down to a bottle of jack.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Again watch, if this was not a dem setup it will be investagated to the end. There will be no investagation, only talk. Watch.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Lord I sure hope no one takes him out, otherwise we’ll be ponying up to give every tax drain on a public payroll another day off annually
djaces on August 25, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Exactly, and I say to all here, watch.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:52 PM
nazi’s sheesh… and VERY VERY VERY Ignorant ones at that .0001% of the population whats the odds?
Chakra Hammer on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM
The end justifies the means – Democrat Bible.
OldEnglish on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM
?
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Not sure of what your saying, but if you are saying only .ooo1% chance that a nazi is responsible, I agree.
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Well “white supremacists tatoos” nazi’s whatever.. like theres just TONS of those running around.. sheesh
Chakra Hammer on August 25, 2008 at 11:59 PM
I say the chance that dems are responsible .999%
allrsn on August 25, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Lets watch chakra lets watch for a realistic investagation. Remember Scooter. Rembember how Soros plays. Lets wait and see.
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Take a pill, dude. This whole “white racists are going to assassinate Obama” meme you have going is pretty weird. Maybe you should lay off the MSNBC for a while.
Jaibones on August 26, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Follow the power. Umm who gains the power from this?
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 12:02 AM
who gains from this lame attempt and was doomed from that start? come on… no chance.. Obama was not even in Colorado..
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM
I didn’t believe in a “vast right-wing conspiracy” then, anymore than I believe in a vast left-wing conspiracy now. There are plenty of nutjobs to go around. But then I live in the South. Come to think of it, we have more than our fair share… Uh-oh. Er, umm, tell me again, where did these nutjobs come from?
mushroom on August 26, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Sheriff: When did you shoot him?
Bill: What?
Sheriff: At what point did you shoot the clerk?
Bill: I shot the clerk?
Sheriff: Yes, when did you shoot him?
Bill: I shot the clerk?
Officer: Dean, we need you out here!
Sheriff: I’m right in the middle of a damn confession here!
(Sheriff and Deputy leave room. Bill realizes…)
Bill: WHOA!!! Wait a minute!!
Stephen M on August 26, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I read the word ‘plan’ did you read ‘attempt’?
Maybe I read it wrong.
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Not only that, I wonder if they just made it up to get publicity. this is BS.
thats no way to try and carry out a assassination, thats to moronic.
I don’t want to give anyone any ideas.. but thats not the way to do it.
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:10 AM
750yds with any kind of commercially available rifle and ammunition would be a hell of a shot.
With a military .50 cal sniper rifle and a well trained marksman it would be difficult to say the least in an urban setting.
But cranked up dopers? I doubt it. A twitch or a shake during the shot and it ain’t hitting the target.
Something seems fishy and a little too convenient.
G-man on August 26, 2008 at 12:11 AM
This is a perfect example of why Obama has disqualified himself from holding public office of any kind, and why the administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago is due for a gutting.
The use of violence to achieve political ends is anathema to our system of government; it is truly un-American. Obama’s willful and lenghty association with scumbag Bill Ayers makes him unfit for office.
That a public university could employ someone who is no different from these racist nitwits is compelling evidence that the school is a complete failure. Gut it.
Jaibones on August 26, 2008 at 12:12 AM
“plan” “attempt” whatever.. it seems ridiculous to me as someone that has fired a rile more than once.
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Very possible Chakra.
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Night all time to go find some fun, yep its sheepshead time (its a card game) lol.
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 12:14 AM
From a practical standpoint, I cannot think of anyplace outside of the stadium that is high enough that you have line of sight over the stands and down onto the field where Obama will be standing as he gives his speech. There aren’t any tall buildings near the stadium. There is some higher ground, but not high enough that you can stand there and see down to the field.
These guys may have meant Obama harm, but they don’t seem to have thought things out. The first guy was caught because they were driving badly. Another was caught after after jumping out a 6th story window. Were these guys trying out for ‘World’s Dumbest Criminals’?
goldfinch on August 26, 2008 at 12:21 AM
750 yards wouldn’t be problem firing a level shot.
this is in Denver high altitude shooter was plannig to be firing from a high vantage point thus making the shot even farther than 750yards(your on the (C)hypotenuse of a triangle depending on the height of the shot probably more liek 100-1200 yards) shooting into a place where the winds would a lot different than where your shooting from..
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:22 AM
probably more like 100-1200 yards
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:24 AM
probably more like 1000-1200 yards
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:25 AM
“Sources told CBS4 police found two high-powered, scoped rifles in the car along with camouflage clothing“…since obamatheliar is speaking at the stadium was it a camouflage chair? cement pillar?
christene on August 26, 2008 at 12:26 AM
When you’re friend brings up the “I told you so,” just remind him of the death threat to McCain the other day.
Connie on August 26, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Camouflage comes in pastel colors?
Connie on August 26, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Connie on August 26, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Camouflage comes in pastel colors?
Connie on August 26, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Don’t know, it’s camouflaged…lol
christene on August 26, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Why are you replying with “Good Lord!” to your own comment?
aengus on August 26, 2008 at 12:39 AM
850-900 yards did a little math, however it is high altitude so…
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Can you say Vince Foster? She’s not going to be Ignored….Dan. PUMA Posse.
texaninfidel on August 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Wow!! l didn’t realize how angry Hillary supporters truly are, not really pointing fingers,,, nah!! not me….
jan on August 26, 2008 at 1:07 AM
Great, this should give the MSM lots of… um… grist to get out the sympathy vote.
I want O’Tard and his ideas defeated at the ballot box, not by any violent means.
electric-rascal on August 26, 2008 at 1:19 AM
Hey! Let’s get My Cousin Vinny! He’s a lawyer!
hilarious movie!
Vntnrse on August 26, 2008 at 1:25 AM
…and Marisa Tomei! Wow!!! What a hottie!
Vntnrse on August 26, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Political violence has no place in the American system. Whether it is the Weather Underground or morons with drug addled minds and mall ninja kit.
sven10077 on August 26, 2008 at 1:29 AM
hey, we all know a bb gun will kill at 200 yards in a 90 mph wind.
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 1:38 AM
when I was 3 I shot a sparrow at 650 yards with a bb gun and a 20X scope!!! yep its true
lol ya right the dems said so therefor it is true!!!!
allrsn on August 26, 2008 at 1:41 AM
Smells like total b.s. to me. Expect more of this from the party who likes to portray Republicans as racist gun-toting violent bigots. Anyone else catch on the news yesterday after chaotic scenes of protestors in the streets of Denver being shown all day, suddenly there is news of a reported incident at the Obama headquarters in St. Paul, you know, that city where all those evil racist Republicans will be convening next week. It seems that someone broke out windows and vandalized the place. No witnesses and the only person in the office was an Obama campaign worker. Things that make you go, “Hhhhmmmmmm.” Just sayin’.
Ramlady on August 26, 2008 at 2:01 AM
Okay, until we get some more facts, I’ll chalk this up as nonsense.
First off, there’s plenty of open areas outside Denver, and believe it or not driving around with a couple of rifles in the car ain’t nothing new. Hell I drive around Seattle with several rifles on many occasions (locked up and unloaded, with the ammo stored seperately thank you very much). So just the fact that there were rifles means nothing. The camoflauge clothing? Readily available at all kinds of surplus stores, and neo-nazi/skinhead/tough guy wannabe types are always getting it for psychological validation (my guess, after the Corps I used them for yard or car work). Body armor? Gonna need more specifics on that.
So, without a make on the rifles and their caliber, the scopes, their powers and whether or not fixed or variable, I would say that these dumbasses probably posed more of a threat driving than they did shooting. Now, if you found a spotting scope, enrypted radios, a map of the stadium and outlying areas marked with possible escape routes, surveillance of security cameras, mobile precincts, security checkpoints, a rifle that was .308 or better with match-grade ammo, and two qualified non drug addled folks, you might have something.
flashoverride on August 26, 2008 at 2:09 AM
Chakra Hammer:
Sheesh… do we really want such a polarizing President?
Dude.
There are hundreds of millions of people in this country, and if even a tiny percentage of them are nutjobs, that’s enough to put any and all presidential candidates at risk.
Blaming Obama for this is deeply wrong. Blame him for his policies, but not for this. You’re sounding as bad as the “truthers”. Seriously.
sandberg on August 26, 2008 at 2:31 AM
Federal sources said this incident may have had more to do with methamphetamine than with any plot to assassinate Obama, but local police did not say why they connected the men to the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/25/feds-local-police-debate-whether-suspects-may-have-been-plotting-obama-assassination/
Another story said one of the people arrested was a local DJ in Denver and was not violent at all.
These guys were heavy into meth. They were not part of a plot.
By the way there are no buildings around the stadium.
The story serves its purpose the media nationally and the critical swing state of colorardo will use this story to help Obama. There is a press conference tomorrow at 4 p.m. Then there will be the arraignment. The morning shows will be all over it. Local coverage will be immense.
ryandan on August 26, 2008 at 2:57 AM
Obama was the first one to ask for SS protection.
Chakra Hammer on August 26, 2008 at 2:58 AM
They was probably just goin’ huntin’. Cletus has to wear a bullet-proof vest in case his brother accidentally shoots him. Happens when they get all methed up before they start lookin’ fer raccoon.
Seixon on August 26, 2008 at 4:47 AM
Drug-addled racists need a hobby too. We need to try to understand these poor, lost souls. Let’s get to the root of their dissatisfaction, cut through all the garbage and blame America. Bad America; down boy…I’ll rub your nose in it. I mean it!
SKYFOX on August 26, 2008 at 4:56 AM
My daughter and I were discussing, that the loons would be coming out of the wood work because of the Denver Democrat Convention. Living in Oklahoma she refers to these types as “Timothy McVeighs” there out there, and this attracts them. I said, then they better have better then usual security for Obama. We don’t need to keep getting drug back to the 60s but that seems what Denver is all about “reverting” to what, old hippie and racist behavior of the 60s? I think it is an excuse for people to indulge themselves and act out. I hope the Republican Convention folks are taking notes…look who turns out to protest. NUTZ
Dr Evil on August 26, 2008 at 7:17 AM
With the Clintons as enemy, perhaps Berry should have a food taster and have someone start his cars.
try again later on August 26, 2008 at 7:34 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »