Security Obamarama!!!

The news broke yesterday that Senator Barack Obama is being given Secret Service protection and it's perhaps thanks to the fact that he's running for President. None of the articles I've seen out there indicates any specific threat against Obama. But something had to have happened.

I'm sure someone out there has said something that raised the alert of the US Secret Service. Another thing that is a big deal about this is that this is the earliest and presidential candidate has ever recieved Secret Service protection. In February 2004 it was mentioned that the eventual Democratic standard bearers John Kerry and John Edwards recieved secret service protection at that time.

Here are some blurbs first from Crain's...

Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff authorized Obama's protection after consultations with the congressional advisory committee.

Zahren would not provide details of what led to the extra security, but said, "I'm not aware it was based on any threat." According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were no known threats and Obama requested the protection.

Obama's rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, has a Secret Service detail that is provided to all former first ladies.
...
Federal law allows candidates to seek protection if they meet a series of standards, including public prominence as measured by polls and fundraising.

And now the Chicago Tribune...

Although Sen. Barack Obama has been drawing enormous crowds and intense attention during his presidential campaign, friends say he has resisted the idea of a U.S. Secret Service detail for fear it would limit what has been a great part of his appeal, namely his ability to make a close connection with voters.

But those reservations gave way to security concerns on Thursday, when the Secret Service assigned a team to the Illinois Democrat — the earliest point in a campaign cycle at which the agency has ever taken responsibility for a candidate not already under its protection as an office holder.

Several congressional sources familiar with the situation say there was no specific event or threat that triggered the decision, but that a bipartisan panel of congressional leaders reviewed threats to Obama on Web sites and in letters before recommending special protection.

Obama declined to talk about the federal agents who accompanied him and who were posted outside his Kenwood neighborhood home, a development that came after friends and colleagues expressed worry about his safety.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the colleague whose concerns set the Secret Service detail in motion, said he thinks the protection is a good idea and that Obama will "learn how to live with the limits" imposed by the presence of agents.

"I love this guy, and I never want to see anything happen to him," Durbin said of Obama. "He's making a great sacrifice for his country. Doing our best to guarantee his safety is the least we can do."
...
On Thursday, at least four Secret Service agents stood out front of Obama's home, with one of their SUVs blocking entrance to the driveway. Obama attended a private fundraiser in New York.

I think I can share Obama's campaign concerns that this special protection from the Secret Service might hurt his appeal, but if something is going on and it might hurt him then it's a good thing. You know I wonder what the rule is for presidential candidates and Secret Service protection. I think I should go find some general information.