Editorial: Sex, lies and the Secret Service scandal

If you were shocked to hear the sordid details of the unfolding Secret Service scandal, imagine Walter Mondale's reaction.

Mondale, who as vice president and presidential candidate spent five years living with the Secret Service, knows firsthand that the competence and focus of the agency's personnel can mean the difference between life and death for American leaders.

"The Secret Service is really central to the functioning of American democracy," Mondale told a Star Tribune editorial writer. "You don't read about them much, but the protection of our top officials, the ability to allow the president to operate in our democracy -- which demands openness, but protects a president -- requires unique people, gifted people."

What's been reported to date suggests an appalling breach in protocol and judgment in Colombia, and the scandal seems to be metastasizing by the day.

A quick recap: Prior to President Obama's arrival for a summit in the resort city of Cartagena, 11 Secret Service agents and officers and 10 military personnel allegedly spent the night with as many as 21 Colombian prostitutes.

A dispute over payment for one of the prostitutes revealed the misconduct to U.S. authorities, who put the Secret Service employees on leave and confined the military members to quarters to face an investigation.

So far, three senior Secret Service employees are out -- one was fired; one retired, and one resigned. The investigation may reveal that the behavior of the advance team not only potentially endangered the American president, but also damaged the country's reputation around the world.

In brief public comments on the allegations, Obama added: "We're representing the people of the United States when we travel out of the country."

On that account, not only are the allegations a major embarrassment and a confirmation of every "ugly American" stereotype many still harbor, but the incident "ruined" the summit, Mondale said, as it nearly completely obscured any substantive discussion or accomplishment.

Colombia is a key U.S. ally, and the country has made remarkable strides in fighting narcotics and an insurgency. It's an insult to the country's leaders, as well as to its citizens, to have a Secret Service scandal be what's remembered from a rare presidential visit.

Overall, Mondale said he has always been "deeply impressed" by the quality and professionalism of the Secret Service. Beyond physical protection, agents need to protect confidentiality of conversations, both political or personal, he said.

"You have to trust their confidentiality and judgment."

The thorough investigation that has already begun, coupled with accountability at all appropriate levels, should keep the focus where it needs to be -- on reestablishing the professionalism and trustworthiness of the Secret Service.

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