Mississippi Congressman Stresses Secret Service Security For Presidential Candidates
Congressman Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has raised concerns about Secret Service protection of presidential candidates in a letter to officials who oversee the Secret Service.
Thompson said that the intense interest in the election prompted him to make sure that Barack Obama (shown surrounded by Secret Service agents) and the other candidates were offered adequate security.
“The national and international profile of Senator Barack Obama gives rise to unique challenges that merit special concern,” Thompson wrote. “As an African-American who was witness to some of this nation’s most shameful days during the civil rights movement, I know personally that the hatred of some of our fellow citizens can lead to heinous acts of violence. We need only to look to the assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and 1968 presidential candidate Robert Kennedy as examples.”
In an interview, Thompson declined to elaborate on any specific threats that had come to the attention of his committee or authorities. He said he wrote the letter to the Homeland Security Department without discussing it with Mr. Obama, whom he has endorsed.
“His candidacy is so unique to this country and so important that the last thing you would want is for him not to have the opportunity to fulfill the role of a potential presidential nominee,” Thompson said. “It’s out of an abundance of caution that I wrote the letter, rather than keep our fingers crossed and pray.” Obama's Secret Service detail came under criticism recently when metal detectors in use at a Texas rally were put aside to allow more people to get into the event more quickly.
Before Obama decided to run for president, he discussed his safety with his family. His campaign employed a team of private security guards before he was placed under Secret Service protection.
Thompson said that the intense interest in the election prompted him to make sure that Barack Obama (shown surrounded by Secret Service agents) and the other candidates were offered adequate security.
“The national and international profile of Senator Barack Obama gives rise to unique challenges that merit special concern,” Thompson wrote. “As an African-American who was witness to some of this nation’s most shameful days during the civil rights movement, I know personally that the hatred of some of our fellow citizens can lead to heinous acts of violence. We need only to look to the assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and 1968 presidential candidate Robert Kennedy as examples.”
In an interview, Thompson declined to elaborate on any specific threats that had come to the attention of his committee or authorities. He said he wrote the letter to the Homeland Security Department without discussing it with Mr. Obama, whom he has endorsed.
“His candidacy is so unique to this country and so important that the last thing you would want is for him not to have the opportunity to fulfill the role of a potential presidential nominee,” Thompson said. “It’s out of an abundance of caution that I wrote the letter, rather than keep our fingers crossed and pray.” Obama's Secret Service detail came under criticism recently when metal detectors in use at a Texas rally were put aside to allow more people to get into the event more quickly.
Before Obama decided to run for president, he discussed his safety with his family. His campaign employed a team of private security guards before he was placed under Secret Service protection.
Labels: 2008 Presidential Race, Barack Obama, Bennie Thompson, Secret Service
posted by Mike McCarville @ 9:10 AM
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