Obama’s Beast breaks down in Israel
Well this is embarrassing. While topping off at an Israeli gas station today, President Barack Obama’s presidential limousine, known as the “Beast” was accidentally filled with diesel fuel instead of gasoline.
Needless to say the Beast refused to start afterwards and had to be towed. Luckily, president Obama had yet to arrive in the country.
"We experienced mechanical trouble with one of the cars," said Edwin Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service. "We don't know the cause."
The Jewish Press reports that a backup model of the limo was flown in by helicopter from Jordan, where it had been waiting to spring into action should such a mishap occur.
“This is why we bring multiple vehicles and a mechanic on all trips, Donovan said. “Situations like this are planned for extensively by our advance teams so that the president’s itinerary is unaffected by these types of issues.”
Donovan wouldn’t confirm a mix-up at the pump was the cause of the Beast breakdown, which isn’t surprising as the person filling the vehicle is reported to have been the driver.
The Beast is a heavily-modified Cadillac with an estimated price tag exceeding $300,000. Although the Secret Service is mum on many of its James Bond-esque features, the rolling fortress is reported to be equipped with heavily armored bulletproof doors and windows, its own oxygen supply, night-vision camera and tear gas cannons.
During his trip to the Mideast, Obama plans to make stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel, Ramallah in the West Bank, and visit with Jordan’s King Abdullah. The Beast is expected to run on gasoline for the entire trip.
SOURCES
