I concur with the thoughts in this Freeper thread about Kerry's potential plans to visit the Reagan Library. If he wants to pay his respects (and this isn't just grandstanding), fine, but he should stand in line for hours with everyone else. None of this "Do you know who I am?" business.

Of course, as another commenter pointed out, he does have a natural face for mourning. I suspect he'll get many opportunities to use it in the coming months, particularly in early November...

By the way, as I was driving up to Chatsworth this morning, the sign in Sepulveda pass said that there was an eight-hour wait at the library. I usually drive up the 405 to the 118 (the Simi Valley Freeway) and across, then take DeSoto down, but this morning, after hearing traffic reports, I decided to go across on the 101 instead.

[Update a few minutes later]

You know, this actually could be a good political move for him, as long as he does stand in line and take the bus (and that should include having his "family's" SUV sit out on the 118 for hours as well, just like the rest of us). After all, he claims that he's taking the week off from campaigning out of respect for President Reagan. What better way to show that he really is than by spending a few hours of his own personal time, on queue with the commoners? It would be all the more admirable, because it can't be expected to be a friendly crowd to someone like him. It would be an opportunity to show, despite all previous evidence, that he really does have the common touch.

This, of course, is exactly why he won't do it. I fully expect him to revert to character, and try (and maybe even succeed) to pull a "Do you know who I am?". But maybe he'll surprise me.

[Update]

He met my expectations, and Iowapresidentialwatch isn't impressed, calling it "indecent exposure."

At issue: The need for a Kerry visit to the Reagan Library in California. As reported by Rush Limbaugh, a Kerry spokesperson had already announced Kerry would attend the State Funeral for Reagan on Friday in Washington, D.C.

At issue: The photographer accompanying Kerry into the Reagan Library. Clear guidelines (handed out to everyone prior to entering the library to view Reagan’s casket) state: “Absolutely no photography will be allowed inside the Library.” A photographer entered slightly ahead of Kerry and took pictures of Kerry while he was there. These pictures were posted as ‘Associated Press’ photos on YahooNews news 30 minutes after Kerry’s visit.

At issue: The timing of the Kerry visit to the Reagan Library in California. Dignitaries could view the casket at the Reagan Library in California before the general public or after the general public; or in Washington, D.C. during the time set aside for the other government big wigs to attend. California Governor and Mrs. Schwarzenegger were in attendance during regular public viewing hours at the personal request of Mrs. Reagan – who did not take Kerry’s personal phone call to her, and did not issue an invitation to Kerry.

Yeah, Lurch can show up and show his empathy by slowly shaking his head back and forth, while muttering his un-earthly moan.

Like him or not, that would be too big of an opportunity for someone to pull a Bobby Kennedy on him. That's why secret service detials are now assigned to presidential candidates too.

Presidential candidates go into crowds all the time. The Secret Service knows how to handle this. They'd just have to stand in line with him. They could make some special arrangements for security, and still have him stand in line. There's no reason that he should be privileged to go to the front, at least not here (a state funeral in DC would be different, because of his status as a US Senator).

If I were a presidential candidate I wouldn't have any problems standing in line. Of course I would probably pull a "Do you know who I am?" and demand to drive the bus.

The candidate was unsurprisingly true to form:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040608/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_15&printer=1

"Like other dignitaries, Kerry did not have to wait hours with tens of thousands of mourners; an exception was made for the candidate and his visit lasted about 20 minutes."

Rand:
>Presidential candidates go into crowds all the
>time. The Secret Service knows how to handle
>this. They'd just have to stand in line with
>him. They could make some special arrangements
>for security, and still have him stand in line.
>There's no reason that he should be privileged
>to go to the front, at least not here (a state
>funeral in DC would be different, because of
>his status as a US Senator).

Your correct the Secret Service pretty much has standard-operating-procedure for this.

They would allow 'spontanous' short visits with a crowd of people, but not without liberally peppering said crowd with agents and NOT for any long length of time.

For such as this they would not let the 'protectee' into the area unit and unless they first cleared of people and checked it out from top to bottom. (Then they will let the people back in once they have cleared a security/weapons check)

They won't/didn't let him stand in line, they will/did make arrangments for the 'protectee' to get in, and get out as fast and as smooth as possible.

"Grandstanding" for politics, (such as standing in line for hours while giving numerous people with planned or spur-of-the-moment attacks all the time they need to line up) is NOT allowed.

I highly doubt even the Governor would be allowed to stand on-line. I know for a fact that the Service wouldn't allow President Bush to do so. Kerry's 'visit' is very much a non-issue.

Randy

Well, it would normally be a non-issue if he didn't have a long history of cutting in line, with a clear sense of entitlement, long before he had Secret Service protection. It just grates, and appears to be nothing more than a photo op during a week when he pledged not to campaign--after all, he'll be attending the funeral on Friday.