Secret Service involved in Cain's security
Washington (CNN) – Presidential candidate Herman Cain will receive protection from the United States Secret Service, the agency confirms to CNN.
Cain asked for and is getting Secret Service protection because he has gotten an unspecified number of threats, sources inside the government told CNN on Friday.
Cain is the first Republican candidate in the 2012 election cycle to be placed under the protection of the federal law enforcement agency.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano authorized Cain's protection after consultation with an advisory committee that consists of congressional leadership.
Donovan told CNN that the Cain campaign requested coverage, and the review found that it met the criteria.
Cain Campaign Spokesman J.D. Gordon confirmed that the Secret Service is providing additional security for the candidate.
"We are appreciative of the extra level of protection provided by these elite professionals," Gordon said.
While early, it is not unprecedented for the Secret Service to take over the security of a presidential candidate. In May 2007, then-Sen. Barack Obama, who was running for the Democratic nomination, was placed under Secret Service protection. It was the earliest a candidate for president had received protection from this law enforcement agency. At the time, another Democratic candidate, then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, was already under Secret Service protection because she was a former first lady.
Usually, the Secret Service begins protecting "major" candidates designated by an advisory committee, which consists of the congressional leadership, four months before the general election, according to guidelines outlined on the agency's website.
The Secret Service began protecting the president after President William McKinley was assassinated in the fall of 1901. The agency extended its protection to major presidential candidates following the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968.
What a waste of tax payers dollars! Why does he not foot the bill for proctection him self? There are hungry people in the U.S. right now are we all dumb to the fact that so many have lost their jobs as well as their homes? If Cain wants to run for office then he had better protect him self and hire his won body gards after all we do not pay for the movie stars to have their body guards and this is about all he thinks he is anyways. This is the biggest joke I have heard in a long time.
He's being protected from foolish ideas and loose lips. They keep finding him and invading his person. SS is going to need a bigger gun and more training, though.
Thats great but who's going to protect us from him ?
Protection from what? Himself and his bizarre commentary?
Why protect him, it makes him less likely to be assassinated!
Is the secret service going to protect Cain from himself?
Sincehe is so worried about spending, why shoudn'this campaign pay for this and not my tax dollars. Why should I have to pay for his HEALTH CARE.
He's probably had death threats. I think that's why Obama received protection as early as he did, too.
This is pretty ridiculous. How are we helping the citizens of this country by paying for protection earlier and longer, when we are in a recession? It is pretty accepted that he isnt going to make it past the primary. I obviously dont want him hurt, but the government is responsible to the people, at least let us know the reasons behind this approval.
How do you protect someone from their own ignorance? Herman Cain is totally unqualified to be POTUS.
I hope Cain is paying for this, not the taxpayers. What say all you teabags?
If there was ever a waste of federal money, this is it!!!
It's a waste of taxpayer's money. If he wants protection either he can pay for it or the Republican Party can pay for it. He shouldn't receive it until he is the nominee. Otherwise we're going to be paying for Secret Service protection on the ones that are at 3% or below. The republicans want to cut cost THEN START HERE.
Secret service to protect him from his wife, or angry husbands and boyfreinds?
If Cain gets the nomination and becomes president, then it shows that, like Obama, the presidency is already selected well in advance and the elections are rigged. Just saying.
I bet they wouldn't do that this early if he didn't get a LOT of credible death threats.
Clarence Thomas got a bunch last year and turned them in to the FBI when he got scared.
Probably related to the heightened level of hate crimes, I'd imagine. Tensions are running high in this economy.
Waste of taxpayers money
Cain is showboating with this request. He is in absolutely NO danger. 1/3 of the Republicans and all of the Democrats want him to win the Republican nomination for President
Cain is showboating with this request. He is in absolutely NO danger. 1/3 of the Republicans and all of the Democrats want him to win the Republican nomination for President
I resent that my tax money is being spent this way. Let him pay for his own protection; I think he can afford it.
Surely a good conservative like Mr. Cain would refuse such waste of taxpayers dollars. There must be some mistake...
our tax dollars at work. All this for someone that doesn'thave a clue. They can keep an eye on him so he won't be able to throw himself at women.
Save the tax payers some money and get out of the race Herm. You are not going to get the GOP domination anyway-stop wasting tax payer money on your personal ego trip.
Cain, using government resources. I thought the GOPers were for less government, next thing you will here is that he is using one of our highways or relaxing in one of our government owned parks.