Cain to Secret Service: They're coming to get me! I need protection!

[AleksS]

So, Cain becomes the first GOP contender to ask for secret service protection. Apparently he's had "unspecified threats."

My guess? Just one more try to play the victim card and grab some attention as his numbers slip.

http://news.yahoo.com/cain-receives-secret-protection-234819346.html

"There have been threats against Cain, who had been experiencing a bounce in the polls, according to an official with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the situation. The nature of the threats was unclear.

Donovan would not say whether there had been any threats or discuss why protection was being provided."

[WI_DEM]

1. Well, I don't knock him for this. Obama received protection in 2007

[locahungaria]

5. True, but.....

Obama wasn't spouting "Government isn't the solution, it's the problem" kind of crap, nor was he telling the poor and unemployed to basically "suck it up".

It's this kind of hypocrisy that is getting folks upset. The guy is a billionaire - he can afford to hire his own private security.

[Bok_Tukalo]

7. That is absurd

The man is a top tier candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. The first caucus is less than two months away and we are currently in a politically tumultuous time. There has been recent violence directed at our political leaders from the horrendous attack on an Arizona representative not long ago to disturbing shots taken at the White House just yesterday.

You should not begrudge him the protection of the State if he is brave enough to seek its leadership.

[locahungaria]

12. Really, I should have edited my post to add this......

That despite anyone's personal feelings about the candidate, if Secret Service Protection is offered for one, it should be offered to all, no exceptions.

I was just trying to explain why folks were getting upset - it's the hypocrisy of it all.

[Empowerer]

9. He's not a billionaire - he's "only" worth a few million dollars

But that said, I agree with the rest of your point about his hypocrisy. He insists that government is the problem, that police and firefighters that protect us are just dead weight. But the minute HE wants to be protected, he has no problem using federal agents to do so. I don't begrudge him getting protection - he needs it and should get it. But I hope he tamps down some of his rhetoric about public employees now that he has put his life in their hands.

Reminds me of Tom Delay, who trashed the TSA and other federal protective agents and pushed to privatize them - and often did so while standing at a microphone flanked by the Capitol Police Officers who provided him 24-7 protection. Even worse, he seemed not to care that one such officer was shot and killed protecting him as he cowered in his office while a deranged gunman shot up the Capitol.

The hypocrisy is sickening, isn't it?

[LiberalFighter]

18. Not providing secret service protection because a candidate can afford their own is wrong.

But I do question whether there were serious threats to his safety especially considering he wants them to keep reporters away from him.

[Kahuna]

14. There's a big difference. Obama was likely REALLY receiving threats..

as opposed to cain who is the typical repuke crying wolf. The story even says the nature of the threats isn't clear. Read: there is no proof of threats. I also heard on MSNBC this morning that cain likely is citing his skermishes with the media as the reason for protection. Gimme a break. :eyes:

And so the minstrel show continues.

[LiberalFighter]

19. I believe that his campaign manager rigged something to appear as threatening.

But anyone looking at the campaign manager would feel threaten.

[tularetom]

2. Experiencing a bounce in the polls?

[Mz Pip]

3. I'm not surprised about the threats

Lots of crazies out there. I don't see why it had to be announced other than for publicity.

[FSogol]

4. Who? Victims of harassment by him? The media? Promoters of the 8-8-8 plan?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[Lint Head]

6. I have noticed paranoia. Some of his ideas are tinged with it. When he had a radio show

he would use the word "they" as a pejorative in 'they are coming to get our money', and 'they have taken over the country'. I use to listen to him driving through the Atlanta area on my way to South Carolina. He should be paranoid considering the things he's done privately that his wife and others could find out about. I think he is on the edge of a break down. He cried yesterday when asked what he would do if elected and take the oath of office.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. I wonder if it was before or after all these white women began falling out of the woodwork?

:shrug:

[Gman]

10. As they say in Louisiana, I GAR-ON-TEE you

it wasn't Democrats making the threats. It was the white hate mongers that forced Colin Powell out of the race for the GOP nomination in 2000, and Obama in 2008 when it became apparent a Black man just might be president. But it's coming from within the GOP.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

11. Let the Free Market take care of his protection

After all, having the government provide services to a private citizen is socialism!

[Enrique]

13. if you're too cheap to hire your own bodyguards

blame yo'self.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Needing protection from the little men in the White Coats coming to pick up his ass......

to take him to a location where he rightfully belongs; a padded cell!

[LiberalFighter]

20. That is what he is likely threaten by.

The Secret Service wouldn't be able to prevent the white coats from taking him. Cain probably thinks otherwise.

[and-justice-for-all]

16. Paranoid freak...nt

[Cigar11]

17. Mr. Cain; welcome to Presidential Politics /n

[benld74]

21. Secret Service at break time - Pizza Again?!?!?!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

22. Sounds like socialist protection to me. nt