H/T to Robert for this link:
For many black Americans, it’s a conversation they find hard to avoid, revisiting old fears in the light of bright new hopes.
They watch with wonder as Barack Obama moves ever closer to becoming America’s first black president. And they ask themselves, their family, their friends: Is he at risk? Will he be safe?
Is this limited to the black community? I think not. Every POTUS, regardless of their skin color, always has and always will face a perpetual threat to their life. Hence, we have the Secret Service protecting the entire First Family. Is it fool proof? No, we have had four assassinations, but that is the risk one takes when seeking the highest office in the land.
Why did Obama already get a Secret Service detail..was it a credible threat?
Obama received Secret Service protection last May ” the earliest ever for any presidential candidate. At the time, federal officials said they were not aware of any direct threats to Obama, but Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin ” who was among those recommending the Secret Service deployment ” acknowledged receiving information, some with racial overtones, that made him concerned for Obama’s safety.
Oh, I see, those in charge of protecting a POTUS wouldn’t be privvy to the types of threats that Durbin picks up on his CB! What a tool!
Aren’t all Senators entitled to a Secret Service detail?
No T-Steel, they don’t. Hillary receives it because of her status as former First Lady. Usually, a Secret Service detail is assigned to a candidate 120 days in advance of the General election. Kerry received his in February 2004 when he became the Democratic nominee. The POTUS/family, VPOTUS and family are usually the only members of our government to receive this protection. If there is a threat against a government official, a detail is assigned to them. Normally, it is a law enforcement agency such as the FBI or Secret Serice that determines if there is a credible threat. Not Dick Durbin.