Vice President Joe Biden: Airport screening pat-downs a 'necessary policy'

Vice President Joe Biden defends those "love pats" so many Americans who opt-out of full body scanners are forced to endure, as administered by the TSA:

Vice President Joe Biden is defending the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) controversial new pat-down technique, calling it a "necessary policy."

It's only a "love pat" to Democrats

Biden acknowledged people have concerns that the TSA's use of full-body scanners and pat-downs are frustrating and intrusive but argued they are crucial to prevent another incident like the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing. 

"Well look, Larry, maybe because I spend so much time every morning dealing with the threat assessment that's out there and the fact that it's real — I understand peoples' frustration, but I — unless there's a new technology that comes along pretty quickly, I think it's — I think it's a necessary policy," he said on CNN's "Larry King Live" program. "I think it will have the effect of saving lives, intercepting explosives."

Even though the TSA's new policy has riled lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Biden's comments indicate the agency will continue to scan or pat down passengers at the nation's airports.

Are elected officials  subjected to "love pats" or do they get special treatment? Vice President Biden is exempt from being checked by the TSA when he flies.