The rifles also were supplied with scopes. That’s not exactly the sort of weaponry that “tweakers” might carry in a drug-deal. I doubt that they acquired those in some “drug-addled” state and that these guys were just talking random stuff. That suggests planning.

Oh fucking shit! This is bad, very, very bad.

In addition Eid’s comments ring hollow, especially after he DID press Federal charges against an incarcerated Colorado prisoner who sent John McCain a letter that contained a powder that turned out to be harmless. Baby powder! Oh, all such mail out of the prison is screened…there is no way the guy would obtain anthrax or other harmful powder, and no way that it would have reached McCain.

Muslim-named Convict Charged With Threat Upon McCain

Just how is that a “threat” made by a prisoner behind bars with baby-powder “realistic”, while the one made by a group of sniper-scope armed white-supremicists who are roaming the streets of Denver searching for Obama (they selected a hotel thinking that Obama might stay there)…a fantasy.

Eid is a right-wing functionary. A member of Traurig’s ” Abramoff team”, appointed by Karl Rove.
He’s the last person that should be protecting Obama…sort of like asking Musharaff to protect Bhutto.

I just wonder if the fact that Squeaky Fromm, or John Hinkley, Jr. used drugs and were “delusional” prior to their assassination attempts would handcuff Eid from acting if this were a REPUBLICAN candidate.

I suspect Eid has a dual standard…the outdated “Twinky defense” is okay if the act or attempt involves an attack on a Democratic candidate? The law apparently only is applied to members of the “correct” party.

I recall that psychologists defended Dan White arguing that he was delusional and drug-impaired, as well. He was also filled with hate for Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, and knew quite well that he was on a mission to kill them. The decision of “manslaughter” was widely assailed but efforts to change the law only occurred after a Republican President was nearly killed by a deranged, obsessive individual.

In fact, after the Hinkley assassination attempt on Reagan there were reforms of the Federal laws on the “insanity defense” which prevented a mere reference to a person being mentally ill being sufficient to serve as a defense. This was revised to allow only those cases where an individuals was incapacitated from understanding the consequences of ones actions. (i.e. that the act was not intended to “kill” another individual).

It’s clear in this case that at least one of the individuals, despite their use of drugs, were well aware of an act represented being intended to kill Obama. The intent, motive and consequences were quite clear.

Would Eid have released a “Squeaky Fromm” if she had made such statements about McCain, and was toting about firearms? “Sorry! Have to wait until she puts the plan into effect- otherwise she’s simply a delusional, drug-using, religious cult member!”

thinkprogress