Are The Secret Service Folks Who Are Assigned To Protect Bush...

[arwalden]

... given some some sort of litmus test to make certain that they are loyal Republicans? Is that a partisan job within the Secret Service?

I think I'd be a little nervous if I knew that one of the Secret Service agents assigned to protect Kerry was some idiot Freeper... wouldn't you?

-- Allen

[prodigal_green]

1. Secret Service are a special breed

Their job is to protect whomever they are supposed to protect. If Saddam Hussein were to come here for diplomatic purposes, they would be expected to protect him with the same diligence as they would the president.

[proud patriot]

2. Secret service protect the office of the presidency

I have Faith that they are non partisan.

[alwynsw]

3. I had a friend on the Presidential detail in the 80's

According to him, the personal political preferences of the agents are not an issue.

[Badger1]

4. No way

the same Secret Service agents protect both. They never know who they will be assigned to. They are dedicated professionals. People who do not put politics before their job. I worked with the Kerry campaign this summer and got to know many of the agents and I can say, without question, they are wonderful people who take each assignment very serious. I have nothing but the utmost respect for each one.

[jlseagull]

5. I agree.

Those guys are core and very tightly psychologically self-programmed to get in the way of any threat heading toward their protected charge. There is a famous photograph of an agent at the Reagan assassination attempt (which I can't find). Reagan has just been shot and is being bundled into the limo to be rushed to the hospital. Hinckley is still firing wildly, and everyone around is either diving for cover or jumping on Hinckley. Agent Jerry Parr is standing in front of Reagan trying to make himself as big as possible. A better way to say that is he's trying to get shot. He has the most determined look on his face, the same look that you and I would have if we were trying to head a soccer ball away from our goal. He did "catch a bullet" that day, and lived.

These guys are dedicated, and deserving of respect.

[Ilsa]

6. Yeah, that sounds like everything I've ever heard about them

being willing to "take a bullet" to protect their charge.