Posted on 05/03/2007 6:47:46 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Secret Service said Thursday that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama was being placed under its protection, the earliest ever for a presidential candidate.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff authorized Obama's protection after consultations with the bipartisan congressional advisory committee, according to Chertoff spokesman Russ Knocke and the Secret Service.
Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren would not provide details of what led to the extra security, but said, ``I'm not aware it was based on any threat.'' Department of Homeland Security officials said there were no known threats.
Obama's rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, has a Secret Service detail that is provided to all former first ladies.
The agency and the department would not comment on the scope of Obama's protection or provide any other security details. Obama's campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether the candidate requested the extra security.
In the last election, Democratic candidates John Kerry and John Edwards received their protection in February 2004 as they were competing for the party's nomination. Obama's detail comes nine months before the first votes are cast.
Federal law allows candidates to seek protection if they meet a series of standards, including public prominence as measured by polls and fundraising. The members of the congressional advisory committee are the Speaker, the House and Senate majority and minority leaders as well as one additional member.
In a Feb. 12 interview with The Associated Press, Obama dismissed concerns about his own security, but would not answer directly when asked if he had received death threats. The Rev. Jesse Jackson drew early Secret Service protection because of violent threats during his campaigns for president in the 1980s.
``I face the same security issues as anybody,'' the Illinois senator told the AP. ``We're comfortable with the steps we have taken.''
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
He probably is in danger.....from the moonbats who don’t think he’s far enough left.
If Obama gets a secret service detail, then the rest of the candidates will want one too.
I this day and age I think we all should use protection
Any of them that want it ought to pay for it. I understand why the witch gets it but I really don’t think we ought to pay for anyone who is running to have protection even her...
I don’t have a problem with it. If there is a viable or perceived threat against him I believe he is entitled to the same protection Hillary has.
Yes, he should for the simple reason that Hillary is his opponent.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070503/D8OT6R0O0.html
It’s what I thought- the govt thinks America is a racist country.
Since he’s an obvious target for Arkancide, I say yes, he should get the detail. I don’t mind my tax dollars being used for that.
The country doesn't have to be racist; only 1 crazy, homicidal individual.
300 years of raced-based slavery has not yet been erased from everyone's memory. America is only 2.5 generations from the Civil Rights movements and the end of legal segregation. The progress America has made is unprecedented, but race issue is too big of an industry for it to disappearquite yet. Maybe in another 50 years.
He’s just trying to upstage Hillary as chief drama queen
- AKA 3rd Division Vet
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