Jen Psaki

Not in the crowd at Obama event

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:45:10 -0400

A few notable politicians were not in the audience today.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, who endorsed Barack Obama, was the most notable absence at an event at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, especially since her former Democratic opponent Richard Moore was on hand.

U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan and lieutenant governor candidate Walter Dalton were also not in the audience. Neither has endorsed Obama.

A few out-of-state politicians expected to attend were no-shows.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley were supposed to be at the event, according to an advance e-mail from Obama staffer Jen Psaki.

The governors are in town to attend a Hunt Institute training session in Chapel Hill. Three of their colleagues from the session that Psaki said would be at the event were there, however.

Former Gov. Jim Hunt was also not in attendance, though he has been at Obama events in the past.

Don't worry

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:55:53 -0400

Don't worry

"Barack Obama has the best security in the world and people need to stop worrying about it."

— Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the Barack Obama campaign, denying a news report that he canceled a Greensboro event because of security concerns. Quoted on March 17, 2008.

Comments (0)

Obama: No concerns in Greensboro

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:00:15 -0400

A spokeswoman for Barack Obama said they are not concerned about security in Greensboro.

Earlier, Dome linked to a Greensboro News-Record piece quoting that city's mayor as saying a Greensboro event was canceled because of security concerns.

But campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that is "not true," reports D.C. bureau correspondent Margaret Talev. She says the campaign simply decided to go to Fayetteville instead.

"The schedule changes all the time," she said. "We're looking forward to going to Greensboro at a later date."

She added, "Barack Obama has the best security in the world and people need to stop worrying about it. People can be assured of his safety."

Update: N&R editorial writer Doug Clark says the Secret Service also says there was "no security concern whatsoever" in Greensboro.