Turf battle looms over Clinton protection

[ProSense]

Turf battle looms over Clinton protection

By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer Matthew Lee, Associated Press Writer – 32 mins ago

WASHINGTON – It may not be your typical Washington power struggle, but Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's expected nomination to be secretary of state has already locked two turf-conscious federal agencies in a delicate behind-the-scenes dance over how to protect her.

Even before her appointment is announced, informal discussions have begun on resolving a conflict between the Secret Service and the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service, both of which will be assigned to guard her if and when she becomes the nation's top diplomat.

Officials familiar with the matter say the talks revolve around which agency will protect her at home and abroad and who will have the ultimate say in planning her security.

As a former first lady, Clinton is entitled to lifetime protection from the Secret Service. But as secretary of state that task normally would fall to the lesser-known Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the State Department's in-house law enforcement wing.

Neither agency is eager to give up the high-profile job, which will be further complicated by the fact that Clinton's spouse, who might accompany her on overseas missions, is a former president who is also protected by the Secret Service, the officials said.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines declined to comment, saying the senator's office will not discuss speculation about her possible nomination or her security arrangements.

Spokesmen for the Secret Service and Diplomatic Security, which routinely refuse to discuss the details of their protective responsibilities, would not comment publicly on the matter.

But other officials at the two agencies acknowledged that Clinton's nomination would create an unprecedented logistical and jurisdictional hurdles that will require significant negotiation to resolve. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal deliberations.

The officials said Diplomatic Security is concerned about losing its role as bodyguard to the secretary. The Secret Service, meanwhile, is loathe to abandon Clinton, who under legislation passed in 1997 will be the last former first lady to get lifetime protection, they said.

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[ray of light]

1. this is a very important question! I think she should be able to have Secret Service protect her.

I'm actually upset that Michelle won't be able to have Secret Service for her lifetime. Especially given the death threats already out there against Obama and the racism. (I've even seen it at my job--threats of violence against Obama.)

[Captain Hilts]

5. I think first ladies DO get lifetime security if they want it. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Congress put that rule in and Congress can remove it for Obama

if they wanted. Apparently the 1994 legislation was for lifetime Secret Service for those serving prior to 1997 and 10 years for those after. At the time, there were 5 previous Presidents and a 6th sitting President. Now they will be down to 4 previous and 1 sitting. No reason why they can't rescind and/or make it an opt-in.

[yourout]

2. Seems simple to me......Secret Service.

[Skip Intro]

3. I'm sure they'll see to it that her protection is uncompromised.

The minor alleged "turf battle" will be resolved quickly by adults motivated by logic and results rather than uncontrolled emotion.

Or were responses to this thread supposed to lament the continuing "Clinton drama?"

[Lilith Velkor]

6. Yup.

What's so delightful about this is that even the staunchest primary warriors aren't bothering to defend this poster.

[ProSense]

7. "so delightful...that even the staunchest primary warriors aren't bothering to defend this poster."

Stalker's delight?

[Lilith Velkor]

8. Spammer's comeuppance?

Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

[ProSense]

11. Don't hate me

because all you're left with are personal attacks.

:rofl:

[Captain Hilts]

4. She and Obama have been security nightmares. nt

[ben_meyers]

9. What would Solomon do?

[NYC_SKP]

12. Well, in the "pros" column, the two halves of Hillary

could cover twice as many countries.

[niceypoo]

13. Sanity battle looms over Clinton Obsession

In the OPs mind

:rofl:

[Metric System]

14. Oh the drama!

[JeffR]

15. Hmm. The AP writer is apparently unaware of Public Law 89-186

which stipulates that a former President or spouse can decline SS protection.

http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/faq.shtml#faq9

In other words, she can call off the SS and opt for the DSS at her discretion. The decision is hers, not that of either agency in the so-called turf battle.

[moriah]

16. If she is nominated, I'm sure they will work it out.

It's not that difficult to work together, and if they do it will mean that she would have the absolute best security the government is capable of.

I do think it's really sad that First Ladies will no longer have their own lifetime Secret Service protection, however. We can afford it (it's surely a tiny fraction of the amount we are spending in one day on Iraq), and there are a lot of nutcases out there.

But I think a lot of people are jumping to conclusions too fast about a possible nomination. There is no official word, and several media outlets are using "deep background" sources -- like the Guardian saying that "they have learned" that Hillary had a firm offer and had accepted it. Even many of the articles that just attribute a quote to a generic official have been repudiated the same day by a named source.

At this point it is just a bunch of hot air. I'm still holding out hope that Bill Richardson will get the position. But I believe that Obama will make any decision about who is nominated to his cabinet based on good and sound reasons.