US Secret Service Becoming Political Tool?

[fryguy]

Reported today is that the Secret Service will be closing the section of I-93 that goes past the Fleet Center in Boston as well as North Station during the entirety of Democratic Convention there this summer. However, no similar suggestion/request was made for Pennsylvania Station (which is directly under Madison Square Garden) or the streets adjacent - i.e. 34th Street, or 7 & 8th Avenues.

What this means is that commuters (read: voters) will be delayed and dramatically inconvenienced by the Democratic Convention, but the GOPhers will not incur any similar animosity. Does this strike anyone else as a political use of the Secret Service?

NTB: Mayor Blomberg has said that a temporary closure of Penn Station, for a few hours, could occur under certain circumstances, e.g. during the pResidents speech - assuming he actual gives it from there - but this is completely different than closing a major transit hub and vital roadway (which is now underground mind you) for several full days!

[TheBlob]

1. I read a couple days ago

that the SS wanted to close Amtrack AND the LIRR going in and out of Manhattan, AS WELL AS the subway line under MSG here in NY during Bush's time at the convention.

That proposition was apparently laughed at.

[jfxgillis]

2. It gives the righty columnists and radio guys Howie Carr and

Dennis & Callahan something to screech about, but if Kerry loses the Massachusetts Electoral Votes to Bush, it won't be because of a July traffic jam in Boston.