Hillary Clinton made campaign appearances in Maine last year. I went to one out of curiosity and to score local political points. There were metal detectors at the door, but the building she spoke in was a big old sieve with many windows and other entryways. Still, I didn't carry. Nevertheless, I conducted a few experiments to see just how close I could get to the leftwitch without being screened by her advance people. The answer, surprisingly, was, "not very." Maybe five yards at one point. Certainly pistol distance, but not for many would-be assassins. And her three little Chippendales with the earpieces covered her pretty well. It seemed the people allowed to get thisclose were all pre-screened -- interesting lesson. No, I don't think a concealed carrier would ever be in position to defend a national public figure like the obamination from an assassin; the ones allowed to get close are vetted, and any likely successful attempt using a firearm (and why use a firearm at all?) would be at distance, Lee Harvey-style. Even then, the SS is much better at protecting their package these days. HRC didn't exit the building immediately after the event, despite waiting crowds. I'm still not entirely sure how she got out to her transportation. Perhaps she donned her invisibility cloak.
