Does Edwards have Secret Service protection? And why isn't his specific threat as

[saracat]

important as the non specific threats to Obama? And while she already has Secret Service protection not much is made of the threats to Hillary either.Why is that ? I was concerned yesterday and correctly predicted Edwrds would be the next target.He had already been targeted earlier this year but it seems no one noticed. I hope he requests Secret Service protection as well.It is not delusional to think he is as vulnerable as Obama and so is Hillary!

[melody]

1. Lots of lone nuts out and about

And they're always GOPhers.

[w4rma]

2. In this case I think Obama warrants it more. America (and the world) are still extremely racist.(nt)

[shraby]

3. A threat is a threat be it against black or white.

They should both be afforded protection without a doubt!!

[saracat]

8. Absolutely!

[w4rma]

10. Very true. (nt)

[saracat]

5. And those same people won't like someone like Edwardsany better. I can imagine what the good ol boys

would call him and to use the term would get me bounced off radio. Traitor to his race would be a gentle version, particulary as Edwards has los of African American support. America is still racist but that extends to those who support African Americans or any other race as well.

[w4rma]

9. Very true. (nt)

[liberalnurse]

4. Probably not Secret Service....

But....he has the money to afford ex-Secret Service Agents who have gone private. Like this one. Now remember, the agent is doing a job of protecting one's assignment....It is not a political choice. The assignment is of the highest honor.....

www.axissecurity.com

Click on Executive Protection.

[saracat]

7. If Obama doesn't have to pay for it, neither should Edwards!

Obama isn't exactly broke either. It is dicrimanatory to pay for one and not another.

[ripple]

11. How do you know he's even applied for it? n/t

[saracat]

13. I don't. I think he should. Some said he has the money to pay for it.

I don't think that is the issue.ALL our candidates should be kept as safe as possible. I think we have an obligation to protect those willing to run.And Yes, this should extend to the high profile GOP as well.Sigh.

[ripple]

14. I don't disagree with you

But I do think the large crowds Obama is drawing increases his risk. Not to mention racism, his charisma, and the fact that he seems unstoppable. His momentum alone is enough to make the crazies desperate to stop him.

Not that there aren't risk factors with any candidate, Edwards, included. If I had to weigh the two, though, I would definitely consider Obama to be more at risk.

That's pretty moot, though, because I agree that if Edwards applies, he should be granted SS protection, as well. Some candidates don't want receive such protection too early, as it limits their ability to interact with supporters on more personal level.

[saracat]

19. Well, don't consider him "unstoppable" but then I do agree he is doing well.

And I think he needs protection but no more so than any candidate. The crazies aren't going to discriminate.They will target our leading candidates.

[illinoisprogressive]

26. I have to agree with you on this.

Obama's momentum makes it look more and more like he can win and this may upset the supremists.

[jcrew2001]

27. The CIA killed Bobby Kennedy

maybe they will strike again?

[liberalnurse]

12. I seriously doubt the money would be an issue

for Edwards...I sense he would prefer a guy like Dale Holmes over the government issue.

[jcrew2001]

28. Will taxpayers cover Obama's Secret service?

or will it be reimbursed

[rhombus]

24. Obama received threats from White Supremacists nuts

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3250258&mesg_id=3250287

[ripple]

6. He should apply for it

I think one of the considerations for Obama's protection is the large crowds he's been drawing. With crowds of 10,000+ at outdoor venues, it is virtually impossible for any private security detail to provide the professional protection that is warranted.

I agree, though, that since Edwards has received a couple of death threats, it seems reasonable that he should be afforded protection, as well.

[ashlarah]

15. I doubt Edwards wants

the disruption of SS. He wants more contact with the people. If he wanted this protection paid for by tax-payers, he could request it, as Obama did. Edwards is a declared candidate, campaigning in way more than ten states and ranks high in numerous polls, so he is eligible.

[Catchawave]

16. Found an article....

...seems most high profile candidates will get protection, more here:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usprot0314,0,960531,print.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[Mass]

17. What is your point there? I am sure Obama would prefer not to have SS protection.

This said, the protection was asked by the Senate leadership.

http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/420184.php?contentType=4&contentId=469615

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2007/05/durbin_concerns.html

Concerned about the safety of Sen. Barack Obama on the presidential campaign trail, Sen. Dick Durbin two weeks ago went to the Senate’s top Democrat to point out the danger he thought his fellow Illinois Democrat might be in.

Durbin said he told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid about the size of the crowds he’d seen on the campaign trail with Obama, and also that he showed Reid some unspecified material that added to his concern.

That conversation led today to the assignment of a Secret Service detail to Obama, the earliest in a presidential campaign the service has ever made the decision to cover a candidate not already under their protection as an office holder.

“I wasn’t forcing this on Harry Reid,” Durbin said in an interview with the Tribune on Thursday afternoon. “I gave him what I thought to be the facts of the matter. I asked him, based on his experience, to make a judgment if it should be brought up for consideration.”

Reid brought the concerns to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service and a special congressional committee that reviews the need for special protection.

Hillary Clinton got it as a former first lady.

I am sure that, if Edwards thinks he needs it and asks for it, he will get it, but I do not see why you react this way. The media are simply reporting it because it is the earliest a candidate got secret services protection, and therefore it is newsworthy. However, the package he received this morning was harmless, thanksfully.

http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/APN/705041473

[saracat]

18. My point was the MSM make much more of the threat to Obama than threats to anyone else.

I feel all our leading candidates are vulnerable and the MSM as well as our own posters ought to be equally concerned with the protection of all our candidates. I just found it interesting that the threat to Obama received more attention and was a "nonspecific threat" than the threats to Hillary and Edwards.

[Mass]

20. All leading candidates are vulnerable: democrats and republicans..

Are you bothered they did not make a piece on how McCain or Romney got some threats of some kind?

I am concerned by the protection of ALL candidates, however, they are old enough to make their own decision. It is up to Edwards to ask for protection. At this point, there is not a thread of evidence he has asked for it, so your complaints are pointless.

BTW, the powder was not dangerous. So, except if I missed something, I consider a racist threat as specific as an inoffensive white powder.

[saracat]

21. I think the Repugs should have protection too! I am NOT bothered by their lack of publicity

because I want the Democrats to win. I am bothered by all publicity on threats being given to one Democratic candidate. And there has been NO racist threat to Obama that I am aware of.It has been said it is because of crowd size that security is necessary.That is according to the Obama Campaign.And while the powder might not have been dangerous, this is the second threat and it is specific unlike crowd size.Hillary's threat was also specific, it was a death threat.These threats are viewed as more dangerous.
And my "complaints " are only about the media and the manipulation of public interst.Whatever.

[Mass]

22. Whatever - Edwards is big enough to ask for protection if he wants it.

For the rest, there is more important things than arguing which threat is more important: Obama, Edwards, or Clinton.

[Adelante]

34. Yep

This is the second thread I've seen where the OP sets up a competition among candidates for threat value and SS protection.

[rhombus]

23. Edwards can request it if he wants it. Has anyone stopped him?

Durbin requested additional protection for Obama.

[illinoisprogressive]

25. One thing is the unusally large crowds, tens of thousands, coming to an Obama appearance

is causing worry for Senate leadership and his campaign. The crowds are just too large to manage them and do security. Plus, some specific threats were found and Obama's 'big brother' Durbin, requested it.

[jcrew2001]

29. Hey, Dean had big crowds too

but i'm concerned at how much secret service costs, it can't be cheap.

[Cameron27]

30. You're *concerned* about the cost of SS protection for

our candidates? :eyes:

[jcrew2001]

33. Sure, everything costs money and the election is 18 months away

I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but this is bizarre. Maybe its cable news thats driving this intense coverage, but what if Gore suddenly announces and Obama's popularity wanes. The taxpayers always get screwed in the end.

[Cameron27]

35. I don't know what to say.

There's something seriously distubing about the fact that you're more worried about your taxes than the safety of a Democratic candidate. I'm speechless.

[jcrew2001]

38. What can i say, i'm poor, i worry about money

just the way things are

[AtomicKitten]

31. I think ALL the Dems should have protection.

This election is theirs to lose and the Rs know it.

I was just having this very conversation today with a friend. We both had this simultaneous yet sadly nonorgasmic thought that we may be seeing the 1960s assassination redux coming up in our future. It is scary because it is conceivable.

Holy shit - what a terrible thought. :thumbsdown:

[PATRICK]

32. Ripeness is all

The threat upstaged the very forgettable GOP debates. Why? Once the FBI determined the routine chatter of the nuts was getting warm the usual response is pretty routine. I could speculate all day on how the decision came to be and was timed and why and all those issues are more important than the application of protection as a routine. Since Bobby Kennedy turned down his it is mainly an automatic non nonsense affair based on strict criteria, an advertisement to itchy trigger fingers that the shields are up and eyes are looking their way.

The GOP has no one worth shooting, no one in particular in the way of the Bushes, mostly decent people as enemies who don't talk or walk the bloody path. In fact the decent people are intimidated or worried always by the fact that their guys all wear targets. If you like them don't vote for them? Or "what's the use"? The safety of the GOP tough old villains seems as comfortable as the neighborhood godfather.

Mainly though I wonder at the timing.

[tammywammy]

36. I'd assume that Edwards hasn't requested SS protection

Hillary already has SS protection as a former First Lady.

[Divine Discontent]

37. when they have verifiable threats against them

they should have at least 2 SS people with them, when verifiably threatened, until the normal amount is given during primaries when it becomes apparent they need more. Or more earlier if it warrants it.

I find it so TYPICAL of right wing youth (nazi youth) to now have basically made threats against all 3 of our top candidates...

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- check it out, top '08 stuff