(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will receive Secret Service protection this week, a source familiar with the situation told CNN.
At this time, GOP presidential rival Mitt Romney is the sole candidate granted protection.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
A spokesman for the Secret Service declined to comment on the matter when contacted by CNN.
Meanwhile, a source with Newt Gingrich's campaign confirmed the former House speaker also requested protection. The source did not know when the paperwork was submitted but said discussions about putting in the request began last week.
Gingrich's campaign has not yet received a response from the Secret Service, the source said.
– CNN's Kevin Bohn and Shawna Shepherd contributed to this report.
Also see:
Arizona governor endorses Romney
Limbaugh front and center in pro-Santorum mailer
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Let God be his protector, it would be cheaper and a good test of his"faith'
He needs protection from his views (especially those about women); I doubt that anyone can make him be quiet about that!
From the Devil? Or from the women of America, that he sees through the eyes of the Middle Age monk?
...from himself?
Thats disappointing
The Secret Service doesn't have to worry. They'll only have to keep an eye on Santorum for about seven months tops. He'll be a regular Joe again come Nov. 7th.
While Santorum will be driving in a minivan and the secret service be driving in pimped out black cars. oh the irony!
Just great. more of middle class america s tax money down the drain. given that even at bain cheap willard never took risks with his money the koch brothers could have at least picked up the tab for their favored tool
Protection from the crazies? I think it is more a sign of prestige.
I don't know for sure but, isnt it a little early for EVERYBODY to get protection? I remember the last election they
protected Obama early but, he was getting threats the racial kind. So I could understand that but, this just seems
too early.
I guess God is a little busy.
Yeah, that's nice! Take my tax money – please! Mitt and Rick talk a good game about saving tax-payer money – so – PAY FOR YOUR OWN SECURITY!
The Secret Service is providing plumbing services now? It seems a bit odd.
What a horrible waste of taxpayer money to grant Secret Service protection to an ultra right wing extremist like Rick Santorum. Even more laughable is Newt Gingrich's reported request for the same protection. Both of them need to be left out there in the open tou the Jared Loughners of this world. They have plenty of money, let them hire their own protection if they are frightened.
I think God should protect him AND the pope...
Why do the people who rants and rave about God are the ones most afraid to meet him?
I think that thes people for "limited Government" should pay their own security until they are actually nominated. Wastful spending for someone who will not get th nomination.
Good lord; why would anyone considered Newt important enough to merit protection. Most folks didn't even know he was still around until he poked his head up again. Go away Newt.
Exactly from whom are the SS protecting Santorum? They obviously missed the "gunman on the grassy knoll": Rush Limpbag's wiiiiide-screen endorsement just killed off any chance Santorum had at the nomination. Thank God.
As for the OTHER loser the SS are babysitting over at the tea shop, obviously they're not doing their job over there, either, as Mittens the Mormon has just been given the guaranteed certified "kiss o' death" from Headless Jan Brewer. These guys don't need the SS, they need the Moron-Protection League of America.
What a great election year this is gonna be! The Republiteans are going to end up running Ross Perot and Joe the Plumber...
Why bother he has 0% chance of becoming President. Besides God will protect him.
why bother? like any wackos out there would view these putzes as targets in need of protection. Let them crawl back into their caves. Their best defense is to stay out of politics and the public eye. And really, IF some wacko took santorum out it wouldn't change the GOP or the election
Santorum's the man.
We need protection from Gingrich.
That is a real waste of tax payer dollars.
I actually think the secret service ought to be protecting america from Rick Santorum.
Right off the bat, this guy is wasting my tax dollars and he's not even in office!