Just told by SS agent that DEM candidates aren't protected yet?

[mouse7]

I was just in "communication" with the local Secret Service office over an online incident last night that disturbed me at the time, and disturbed the agent when I reported it regarding the security of one of the "major" Democratic candidates. That's all I'm at liberty to say for obvious reasons.

What REALLY concerned me was being told by this Secret Service agent that the candidates ARE NOT under Secret Service protection yet. I thought there was a law requiring protection for the candidates after RFK's assassination?

It's possible this agent is out of the loop. This is the other coast, and I called the local office. They could have Secret Service details now. I know Gary Hary had his detail in place by the Michigan Primary in 1984 because I had to have clearance to be on the tarmac when Hart arrived and I met later when things were winding down. Hart's bomb guy a real comedian. Seriously. Funny Guy.

Anyway, I would think the details would be set for the candidates by now. Are they or aren't they?

[Nazgul35]

1. only the official nominee

gets SS protection during the run from the convention to the election...

[LandOLincoln]

2. I got yet a third opinion from one of Clark's advance people

two weeks ago. He said all the candidates would get Secret Service protection after New Hampshire. (Like you, I had thought that only the nominee got it, after the convention.)

[mouse7]

3. RFK didn't have the nomination yet.

I thought all that changed after RFK.

I had a little goofy red and white clip on button with an alpha-numeric sequence that showed I had SS clearance just to be in a fenced in area on the tarmac when Hart pulled into Detroit for a speech in 1984.

[beaconess]

5. Not actually . . .

Major presidential candidates get Secret Service protection. The head of Homeland Security and an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House, Daschle, Frist and a few others determine whether a candidate qualifies. This is usually determined after the first couple of primaries. It is likely that Secret Service will be assigned to the top-tier candidates after New Hampshire or, at the latest, after South Carolina. If there are any serious problems or specific threats, protection can be provided even earlier.

After the convention, the nominee's family also gets full protection.

[TacticalPeek]

18. "serious problems or specific threats"

Guess the Secret Service guys don't read DU.

[Zomby Woof]

4. Not yet

The Secret Service site does not say when, other than within 120 days for the spouses of the candidates.

From: http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/faq.shtml#authorized

Who is the Secret Service authorized to protect?

By law, the Secret Service is authorized to protect the President, Vice President, President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their immediate family members; former Presidents and their spouses; minor children of a former President until the age of 16; major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and within 120 days of the general election, their spouses; visiting foreign heads of government or heads of state; and others if authorized by the President. An individual who receives Secret Service protection is referred to as a "protectee." In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former Presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the President leaves office. (Public Law 103-329)

[beaconess]

6. Candidate's FAMILIES get protection 120 days before the election

the candidates themselves get protection even earlier.

[Zomby Woof]

7. thanks

I edited my initial comments.

I can't find it now, but I recall it was within so many days of the nomination, and we aren't there yet.

So my answer is still no, but only until we get within that timeline.

Still looking...

[beaconess]

10. Here's the link

http://prop1.org/legal/873290/880104.ex2.18usc.htm

TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Sec. 3056

3056. Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service
(a) Under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, the United States Secret Service is authorized to protect the following persons:

(7) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates. As used in this paragraph, the term "major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates" means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and one additional member selected by the other members of the committee.

The protection authorized in paragraphs (2) through (7) may be declined.


Hope this is helpful

[Zomby Woof]

12. it still doesn't say when

That could be on purpose though. Since it says "Vice-Presidential" also, it makes me wonder if they wait until the nomination when that is official.

In any event, I don't believe any of the candidates have that protection yet, but until someone can provide a definite timelime, I'll just go mosey on over to another thread. YEEERAGH! ;-)

[beaconess]

15. They get protection when they're deemed "major"

which usually occurs after the first couple of primaries.

[RUexperienced]

8. But after the Iowa 'screech,' who would mess with Dean?

At least he is safe.

[beaconess]

11. lol

Potential bad guys everywhere are saying, "Don't mess with Dean - that guy'll clock on your ass!"

[diamondsoul]

13. ROTFLMAO

OMG, beautiful timing and phrasing!

You are DA MAN!

[spooky3]

9. Yes, that worried me when I saw how close everyone was to Edwards

when he was leaving the Q&A sessions in Iowa. I hope the candidates have some private security as this race heats up.

[mouse7]

14. Sounds like I better forward this stuff to campaign involved

It's just a little too distrubing. 99.9999% likelyhood it's some 13 year old kid who's played too many Tom Clancy video games, but it's just too weird a time in the world.

[beaconess]

16. All of the campaigns are well aware of this info...

[mouse7]

17. Not THIS info

That's the whole point. The Secret Service agent was alarmed, but wasn't certain what he could do at this point with no SS detail in place.

I just got off the phone with the main office of the campaign involved and I'm waiting to a call back from a member of the advance team to forward what I sent to the SS to the candidate's advance team in the area.

[beaconess]

20. You're right - I misunderstood you

[mouse7]

19. Advance staffer: "That's not good."

The person from the advance team had my e-mail with all the links and info before I hung up the phone. I can breath a little easier now. I'm almost sure it was nothing, but you just can't count on that anymore. Let the security pros handle it from here.

[Blue_Roses]

21. I just posted a question about this

yesterday. Wondering the same thing after Robert Kennedy was assassinated. He was just about to wrap up the nominee spot.

[mouse7]

22. Candidates should have SS details before Iowa

I'm really pretty surprised they haven't improved the protection of candidates. If for no other reason, the crowds candidates generate are very vulnerable.

I can't say I'm too happy about finding all this out today.

[beaconess]

23. Sounds good, but totally unworkable

The Secret Service simply does not have the resources and staff to provide protection to every person who calls themselves a candidate early on in the process. It's one thing to include people in a debate, it's altogether another to provide them a round-the-clock protective detail. And who do you include - does LaRouche get one? How about the Green Party candidate or the Communist Party candidate or the Aryan nation candidate?

That's why they wait until the first couple of primaries to determine who is really a major candidate.