I am not surprised. He is being threatened by Limbaugh and Dobson and others of the so-called far right wing zealots and Christians.

Good idea……all 3 candidates really should have this protection, especailly after that screwball in PA hounding Obama-very scary !

That will be a waste of taxpayers' dollar since the guy cannot even draw a crowd. The guy is boring like a retired lame duck.

What?????

This is crazy. How can the presumptive Republican nominee NOT have secret service protection? I don't support him and I wouldn't vote for him but that's completely beside the point.

Every day I am astounded to learn crazy things like this.

And we wonder why things have gotten so screwed up!

McCain is old and un-electable. Hillary is the obvious choice.

Hillary.Nader.2008

he should have had it from the get go. Things just aren't safe anymore. people are friggin lunatics

The money has all been spent, Mr. McCain thanks to you and your cronies.

Money shortage in our spend all of it and more and be irresponsible in borrowing Billions from China. Even the Social Security Money Gone?

Should have thought ahead before the taxpayer paid trip around the
world with Lieberman and Graham.

Obama 2008

If he feels he needs it, he should have it. Why not. I'm an Obama supporter, but I think they all need to be protected, even Hillary.

On a lighter note, if Hillary has dodged sniper fire, I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself.

McCain's the one who didn't want protection in the first place. His campaign perhaps finally made him realize what a dumb stance that was.

This is a non-issue. They all need to be protected, and everyone understands this. Move to something else CNN.

I wonder what made him change his mind?
I certainly would want the protection if I were in the public eye.

Well he do need it.
But, I have to say to hear him speak is like watching paint dry.
OMG!!! He is so boring!!!
I know he was putting folks to sleep on this last tour he was doing!!!
Man, is it time to move beyond these type of Politicians or WHAT!!!

Well…unless someone leaps out of a hat–McCain will be the nominee for the Republican party.

By law all Presidential nominees are entitled to Secret Service protection–by law in order to receive it, they must request it.

Hillary doesn't have to worry–she already gets it because she was a former First Lady.

This man will be the next President.
Aside from a handful of idealist (socialist) eggheads, retirees and a few post pubescent college kids, and some military veterans who don't think they got enough for their 3-4 years of military service–nearly everyone else in this country who actually has a job and really pays taxes will be voting for the only candidate who offers a little common sense and respect for their sacrifices to the nation.

We will vote for McCain this year. The DNC is very disappointing.

McCain doesn't need taxpayer money for S.S. protection. He can use Cindy's beer money to pay for his own security force.

And we've all see what mindless liberals expunging political hate are capable of…

Of course he and the other canidates should have protection.
In McCains case it would almost double his turnout.

Only smart.

That's it - those pesky kids have come into McCain's yard for the last time, dagnabbit.

Still, the SS guys will be a few extra bodies to fill out his crowds.

yes he is right….. next story please!

John had not wanted a security detail because he wanted to move freely among the people, such as in town hall meetings.

UNITED AMERICANS FOR MCCAIN '08

Oh….okay.

I think the president himself should carry a handgun–like any responsible citizen would. The funny thing about police and secret service etc. is that the vast bulk of their seervice goes to protecting the people that systematically make it more unsafe for the regular citizen. Where's out secret service, eh McCain?

Oh yeah, it's the second amendment. Fight for your liberty, people, or lose it.

He doesnt need secret service… He needs an undertaker.

he said he would NEVER get secret service

I am not worried about his protection against people. I am worried that they need to protect him from his teleprompter personnel. They are sinking his campaign putting all those "ums, blank stares, and angry outbursts" in his speeches like that.

I think most of us are surprised that he doesn't have it, and I wonder at anyone who would say that he isn't entitled to it. As a society we are (and have historically always been) very outspoken about politics, and that is coupled with the naivete and willingness of some to make a name for themselves. There is an inherent danger in running for the presidency that I don't know that anyone could deny.

I am not worried about his protection against people. I am worried that they need to protect him from his teleprompter personnel. They are sinking his campaign putting all those "ums, blank stares, and angry outbursts" in his speech like that.

I honestly don't think he needs it. No one even cares that much about him to attack him.

Any Dem that wins the nomination will be POTUS. No matter who it is. John Mccain is pathetic

Uncle Sam–Yeah, I heard that spin on Rush Limbaugh today, too.

I wish they would hook this guy up with better teleprompter personnel. I can't believe the attacks they form against him. They seem to sneak all these ums, blank stares, angry outbursts and misspeaks into his speeches.

He does not need secret service to stop the 10 people that attend his functions. What a bore.

Obama for President 08′

IT WAS THE BOOS HE RECEIVED IN MEMPHIS AT THE LORRAINE HOTEL WHEN HE SAID HE WAS WRONG TO OPPOSE THE MLK HOLIDAY RIGHT… WHAT…SO NOW HE'S AFRAID OF BLACKS. HE NEED TO BE AFRAID OF THE WAR DEMONSTRATORS!!!

What a jerk!!! Would he have offered King protection? NO. Because
he thought he was better than most people then and he thinks
he is better than the average joe now. McCain, Cindy, cronies make
me sick.

Obama Yes we can. From Retired Professional White Woman
from Day 1.Never have I faltered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Senator McCain MUST have protection, it is a MUST. He is the candidate for the GOP Presidential election. With the democratic party right now in shamble, the next President is McCain. As a TAXPAYER, I DEMAND the Secret Service MUST protect him either Senator McCain likes it or not!

Praetorian from Fort Meyer……Veterans aren't supporting Obama because we "want something more from our 3-4 year tour". We support THE ONLY CANDIDATE that supports us. Is it asking too much that our wounded Vets returning from this moronic war get treated with a shred of dignity….No one is asking for a ticker tape parade, just make sure the rats at Walter Reed don't nibble at our stumps!

"though nothing that hac ever reached the point of a specific or worrisome threat."

What's a hac? Has or had? What'd you mean?

Why does this article have so mayn comments criticizing McCain?
This is standard procedure for a party's delegate during an election year…
It's not like he's doing this out of some ulterior motive. When the dems finally get their act straightened out, their nominee will request it too.

Just shows how oblivious some people are to electoral procedure…

If McCain does not know the difference between Al Quaeda in Irag and Shiite terrorists being aided by iran, then he does need protection by somone who can tell him who the bad guys are.

Are my tax dollars paying for this?

I love how everyone says how McCain is boring.

Thank God we don't elect presidents on their possession of a glib tongue. Oh wait, Obamabots will…

McCain deserves protection - he didn't want it at first to save money, but now that polls are showing him more and more likely to become president, you can expect some left wing nuts to get crazy. He needs it now more than ever!

Absolutly McCain should have protection. He should have had it all
along.

Obama has secret service protection and we the tax payers are paying

for his protection. Why should we pay for Obama? He is not the nominee yet, if he's getting threats then let him pay for his own protection. Hillary gets it because she was the first lady, but Obama
is a nobody and taking our money.

He has at least a 50/50 chance of being our next President. He must be protected against a world of crazy people.

I am an Obama supporter and think that ALL Presidential candidates should have proper protection! BTW good mis-direction Sen. McCain.

Do you really need secret service protection at the Old Country Buffet?

Senator McCain - you might be a war and prisoner of war hero, but this is 2008, and this is a dangerous world. You thought you were so great and arrogant no one would come after you????? GET A GRIP SIR - this is America. Your war experience, your family's war experience cannot stop anything period so GOOD FOR YOU - get the protection you too need just like all other leading candidates. Don't resume everyone loves you.

GO OBAMA

He should have secret service protection.

Obama '08

The guy's poor enough I bet you anything that his party is going to pay him millions of dollars so he can continue his dull campaighn, he won't pay a few thousand dollars to get some secruity

Good, the last thing we need right now is for a candidate to be harmed or killed. I may not agree with McCain's positions, but I want him to be fully protected so that our elections can be held without any kind of incidents.

Maybe the agents should be paramedics…

Does McCain really draw a crowd?? That seems like a waste of money.

Protect all three Presidential candidates. It's the smart thing to do. They deserve it.

Tex April 4th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

I am not surprised. He is being threatened by Limbaugh and Dobson and others of the so-called far right wing zealots and Christians

——————–
LOL Tex How about infrared at night and black hawk helicopters too!! LOL

And so do I, John.. You're the President awaiting… 8 months to go??

The Most important Man, in the USA……….

He's white ,old and and does not draw a large group of people,so why does he need it ?

McBush continues to support tax breaks for the wealth-addicted, who weren't even asking for more of the nation's monies.

Now McBush wants the working families (far less wealthy) who are already cash-strapped to fund his security? Sheesh!

Please stop talking about McCain's age! Believe it or not, you too will be older someday! My God. We are talking about electing the President of the United States here. It's the most important "job interview" there is! So, let's talk about what really matters: Experience. Mac has it, Obama doesn't. Too bad, Obama! You're just not ready to lead this nation.

John McCain is 71 years old and who do you think is going to catch him if he falls, none other than the Secret Service. I see this as a good job a qualified unemployed nurse.

This is normal, and Sen. McCain made a big deal about how tough he was, and how he wasn't going to spend taxpayer dollars on this "inconvienent" service.

Two days later he calls the Service to get protection.

I'm not dissing the service itself, all the candidates should have it. I'm dissing his freakin' hypocracy.

He can't even get THIS right.

Exactly, Nine Weeks, to the Day. Since Robert F Kennedy Died…
Just another Election Year…. He certainly needed better Protection.

He better think of getting Secret Service as soon as he can…..the Obamanites are crazy.

GOOD JOB JOHN MCCAIN FOR RECONIZE YOUR MISTAKE ABOURTCIVIL RIGHT LEADER MLK . I REALY LOVE YOUR SPEECH YOUR SPEECH THIS MORNIG. KEEP GOING WHAT YOU DOING IF IS NOT OBAMA I BELIEVE IS GOING YOU. BY THE WAY YOU DESERVE MORE THAN A SECRET SERVICE

If a lot McCains supporters aren't at his rallies it's probably because they have jobs.

It's funny - every time I post something that is not in Obama's favor, CNN won't post it. They have no problem posting against McCain or Clinton, but they won't post anti-Obama messages. Especially the ones that make sense and are hard-hitting. They might post THIS e-mail, but they haven't posted my other ones!

Protection for involuntary bowel movements….not Secret Service protection.

Depends undergarments: Because you got a lot of living to do!!

THIS WILL NOT POST. I AM SURE OF IT.

I defiantly am not a fan of FOX NEWS, but I just finished taking a look at their blogs and was surprised by their civility.

PLEASE stop fighting! Please. We have far much more in common than we have differences. Please. We have to come together for this nation. We know that the issues are very similar so STOP IT. We are behaving like spoiled little brats, or Yankees vs. Red Sox. If we can not find end roads between us their will be a split within the party so deep we will feel it for an entire generation.

I think all the candidates deserve to be protected by SS AGENTS. BUT I SWEAR…HE IS THE MOST BORING PERSON TO LISTEN TO…and IF he becomes the next president……i think the world is goin to fall asleep….
McCain is a old retired person…he should be sitting in a RETIREMENT SHELTER…….and he is goin to lead us in to depression…WE DONT WANT A GRANDPA LEADIN THIS COUNTRY!!!
Obama is the only inspirational candidate in the race….he can really change this country in a new and a better direction…VOTE OBAMA, YOU WONT REGRET!!!!
OBAMA '08!! ALL THE WAY…

Certainly, he should have the protection as the obvious Republican candidate. I'm a Democrat but in the light of all the nuts running around I think McCain should be protected. By the way, speaking of nuts. One contributor to this blog seems to think that retirees and ex-military are against McCain. I'm a retiree and Vietnam vet as are many of my friends and most of them are for McCain. If Obama gets the Democratic nomination then I'll have to vote for McCain also.

Rev Wright OBama and Gunfire Hillary? Thats the best the DNC can do? McCain in 08!

What took him so long?
Did he forget to take his pills?
How come he didn't ask for this the moment it became clear he's the nominee?

Yet another bad judgment call.

Demo for McCain,

What you’ve just wrote is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point were you even close to anything that can be considered a rational thought. Every one in this blog is now dumber for having read it. If I was you I would go into a hole and only come out at night for a few minutes, the world would be a much better place.

I agree Hillary is a fighter a true leader unlike these dreamers. No she is a doer.

And yes they all deserve the secrete service protection.

Its dam shame that McCain & Hillary are all of a sudden talking about race, and what they plan on doing for the black voter. What about all of the other races in this country? This is only a tactic to woo the black voter.

Shame on you Hillary & McCain

It would not even be an issue if it where not for a black candidate being in the race.

I can't stand either Hillary or McCain or Bush

TO QUOTE Larry B

"Larry B April 4th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

If McCain does not know the difference between Al Quaeda in Irag and Shiite terrorists being aided by iran, then he does need protection by somone who can tell him who the bad guys are."

Yes you are right why would anyone in their right mind vote for a man that doesn't even know who the enemy is or the enemy group? He pointed out the wrong group for god sakes to you know what that could lead to?

I support Obama, but who one supports is irrelevant to this question. All 3 candidates deserve the protection and should have it. I'm surprised that McCain did not already have it.

By the way, I have attended rallies for both Obama and Clinton, and saw and really appreciated the job that the Secret Service does.

Being in Memphis will change your mind about personal protection. Its a dangerous place, no doubt. I never go there without protection.

The Austrian said: "I think the president himself should carry a handgun–like any responsible citizen would."

I hope this thinking doesn't extend to our current Vice President. Cheney should definitely not be allowed to carry a gun.

Give him a Dalmation Dog and couple of Clydesdale Horses!

Go Hillary!

Secret Service protection for what? I am sure he is on a first name basis with all 20 of the supporters who attend his rallys. Give me a break

Did you hear what he said yesterday, this is amazing, and it made his aides cringe,

HE BROUGHT UP HIS AGE WHEN IT CAME TO CONSIDERING A VP (you know because he sooooo old and might not make it to the end of his term)

What a duffus, he keeps jabbing himself with a pencil in the eye, this is going to be such a self-destructive campaign, I just cant wait for it.

I do believe that Senator McCain should have protection. That being said, I just wonder why the taxpayers should have to pay for his or the other two candidates protections. Per CNN's report, it cost about $38,000 per day per candidate. Well with all of them bragging about how many millions they have received from their supporters (to get their faces on T.V.) you would think that they would be able to shell out a few thousand a day to save their A–. Why should the taxpayers again have to pony up. I sure do not want to see any of them hurt, but hey, I have to pay for my home security system without any help from my Uncle Sam.

I find it ironic that after McCain went to Memphis and was booed for his mistake in not voting for the original MLK day in Arizona and cancelled appearances with community officials, he decided to finally accept Secret Service Protection.

Let's ask John McCain about his reason to accept Secret Service following his Memphis appearance at the MLK Rededication Ceremony.

I noticed that on his campaign trail John did say he did not need nor did he want Secret Service Protection. However following the April 4, ceremony in Memphis for Dr. King he cancelled all other appearances and went straight to FOXNEWS to do an interview where he stated he would now consider Secret Service Proctection.

It seems that when he is in Arizona, Florida or Washington among his own kind he seems free and comfortable. However, in Memphis he seemed stiff and uncomfortable.

I wonder how does McCain plan to solve the race problem in America when he does not seem comfortable with diversity.

It's not funny. I know what it's like to have your candidate murdered. We do not need to go through that again. I wouldn't vote for him, but he needs to be protected - they all do, whether they like it or not. It's not just about them, it's about all of us.

Larry B - great answer! I agree. Apparently, McCain is the lead on Iraq issues.

McPain (McCain's new name) is an angry, loathing, vengeful warmonger. He is WORSE than Bush times ten.

Why? He wants WAY more war. WAY more deaths and stupid interventionist foreign conflicts. He has already said he plans to go to war with Iran.

He is not a true Republican. He represents the worst aspects of both parties: he's a left-leaning fundamentalist on most issues that Republicans are right-leaning on, and he's an absolute radical in areas where Democrats typically favor individual rights.

McPain is dangerous, to everyone.

Vote for ANYONE except him!