Buzz Patterson
@BuzzPatterson
With Hillary possibly jumping into the race, tonight’s episode of “Buzz’s Bedtime Stories” is a replay entitled “Hillary’s Sunglasses.” We’re just scratching the service!
On an official state visit to Mexico City, we were finally done with the events and were heading back to DC. Everybody was excited to get home. Our itinerary was to move from the hotel to the airport on Marine One and then onto AF One for the flight home. I was with the president and First Lady on the lead helicopter. After we lifted off and were halfway to the airport, Hillary suddenly blurted out, “Turn around! Put this back on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo!” The Secret Services guys and I exchanged side glances and rolled eyes.
By this time, however, Marine One was almost to the join up point with AF One. Back at the hotel landing zone, the Secret Service, White House Communications Agency, and administration staff were pulling down communications lines, lifting barricades, and driving off in vehicles. The required support for even a helicopter flight was highly involved and extensive and there was no landing zone security left. The secure launch site was broken down.
At this point, it was unsafe to turn around. “Ma’am, we can’t do that. We can’t safely do that.” Hillary responded, “I need my sunglasses, god dammit! We need to go back!”
Then one of the onboard Secret Service agents chimed in, “Yes, ma’am, the milaide is correct. That wouldn’t be wise.” I suggested that I radio back, ask the staffers to locate the sunglasses, and ask one of the White House valets to bring them home on their flight. She calmed down and acquiesced but not without smoldering disdain in her eyes. Security be damned, those were her sunglasses! Bill just shrugged and went back to reading his book.
I’ve been shot at in combat by guys who wanted to kill me. I think at that moment, she did too. Trips without Hillary were akin to Animal House, a frat party. Trips with her always had a Nazi-like edge. Hard to tell which was worse.
That was @HillaryClinton.