Party Crashers: Pay Us $500K, We'll Talk

(CBS/AP)  An American TV executive says the couple that crashed President Obama's first state dinner is now offering to talk to broadcast networks about it - providing they're well paid.

The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network doesn't publicly discuss bookings, says representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to "get their bids in" for an interview.

The executive says the Virginia couple was looking for a payment in the mid-six figures range - about half a million dollars.

The couple's success in getting into the state dinner Tuesday without an invitation embarrassed the White House and Secret Service.

The woman, who was pictured at the dinner greeting both the president and Vice President Joe Biden, is a reality TV hopeful trying to get on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of D.C."

Representatives for the Salahis did not immediately return telephone and e-mail requests for comment.

Network news divisions say they don't pay for interviews. They have, for eagerly-sought interviews in the past, offered to pay for access to exclusive material like pictures or videos from their subjects.

Meanwhile, CNN confirmed that the Salahis had canceled an appearance they had scheduled for "Larry King Live" on Monday.

[androidboy]

There's a place for people like this...it's called Southern California. Virginia socialites indeed...scoff!

[carolcape]

After seeing a clip of these two being interviewed, they are scared, really scared. The female was so full of what makes the grass go green, a real *********** from the word go. They were really highly agitated and not in a good way. They should get prison time for what they did, this is serious business. I would say a year in a cell would make them be sure they wouldn't crash another party of any kind. I say slap them in jail. I know the FBI and the security were not doing what they should have been doing here, but I would make a big bet that this won't happen again. They are criminals and should be treated as such.

[PaGuy1960]

Here's an idea. Ignore them. It's obvious they want publicity so let's not give it to these two low lifes.

[mejordelahistoria]

They need to be put in jail and fined thousands of dollars. These scumbags need to be made an example of. They endangered the President of the United States.

[curiousreader111]

The Salahis who breeched security at the White House should be made an example of and prosecuted to the highest degree, we should not be lax on this issue, it?s quite embarrassing for our nation to have this happen and I?m shocked the White House allowed this to leak through to the media to be made public, and more especially that the pictures were posted on Facebook when the security knowingly were aware of a violation, pictures should have been obtained, definitely not a joke and a stunt for television publicity.

If they are not made an example of there will be even more questions raised about the security of our commander in chief and to the overall national security if anyone could pull this off, it?s so shocking knowing that even cameraman and others were in on it, there is no absolute excuse to avoid prosecution including looks, a lie or an internal connection, the fact that it was a breach and one that bypassed security for our President is not a simple act to pass by and grant leniency to even though nothing bad occurred. The law needs to take over and demonstrate that the President is not just an ordinary individual anyone could reach but a priority to protect and prosecution is due in respect to President Obama and this nation as reassurance of security.

[carolcape]

I totally agree with you curiousreader111, they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This was a dangerous situation and should not be taken lightly. Prosecute and they should get the maximum penalty.

[ictrepKS]

I'm sorry, am I the only one who thinks these two people need to be arrested for breaching the White House. If it was any one of us, we'd be strip searched and in a cell before we could take our next breath. They breached the White House -- end of story. Whether or not the Secret Service let them in, this was a premeditated act and they should be facing charges. Instead, they want to hold the news agencies hostage asking for $500,000 to talk -- in my book, THAT'S BLACKMAIL, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!

[newyorkmom]

the " news agencies" have set themselves up for this sort of thing. They cover every worthless tabloid story the instant that it happens with total disregard for the facts. Look at how stupid they all looked with balloon boy. Everyone thought Tiger Woods might be dead with his "serious" accident..which turned out to be him getting beat up by his wife.

[Turbidite]

It's amazing. The Salahis passed through White House security and everyone is blaming the Salahis instead of the Secret Service. Is the Secret Service still being controlled by Cheney? He got them to drop following his daughter also.

[bundye]

Why are these people not charged with trespassing and/or a threat to the President. Had it been any other President.....or any other race, they probably would have been under the jail..or maybe it was staged for attention. They sure don't deserve the attention they are getting. What was the reasonig for doing this...just to hobknob with the rich and famous?

[newyorkmom]

I love the race comment..I am sure this is a giant racist conspiracy...is anyone else tired of everything getting blamed on race..give us a break!

[PanDimensionalWedgie]

I agree with the others, NO money and NO more publicity for these two please. A short stay in jail and an epic fine (since they're greedy) would be more appropriate.

[NowBeWithThat]

Truth is two individuals with muslim names showed up and were immediately granted entry because heaven forfend anyone in the Obama administration should be accused of anti-islamic bias.

Thankfully, they were merely two tacky celebrity ho's trying to get paid.

Next time (God forbid) they could be persons looking to do harm.

[stillwaters6]

The truth is Michelle Holt married Tareq Salahi (whose father is a Palestinian who lived in Jerusalem) who voluntarily changed her English name to a Muslim name. By the way...this event just might be the catalyst to put the Secret Service back on track.
Thanks Michelle Holt Salahi.

[Turbidite]

Stillwaters6 and NoweWithThat your bigory is showing. The Salahi's are Roman Catholic. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NDQmorXCrY