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Obama, wife worry about safety

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This story will undoubtedly be picked up by every major newspaper and blog in the country. It’s been the elephant in the room for months as people discussed Barack Obama’s possible presidential run.

Sen. Barack Obama is concerned about his personal security –telling the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board Thursday that he and his wife fear there is a potential for violence — even if he does not run for president.

“Being shot, obviously, that is the least-attractive option,'’ Obama said.

The Illinois Democrat told the Sun-Times he has concluded a 2008 White House bid “would be viable” and he would have “a pretty good chance of winning the nomination.'’

For the first time, Obama talked about the downside of his swelling popularity, before his expected presidential announcement in January, after a vacation in his native Hawaii.

Let’s try to keep the comments reasonable, please. I don’t want a visit from the Secret Service because somebody got a little goofy.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 7:45 am

Comments

Don’t presidential candidates automatically get protection from the federal government?

Comment by Squideshi Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 8:57 am
According to the Secret Service webpage, they are authorized to protect “major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and their spouses, within 120 days of a general Presidential election.” So no, not initially.

Comment by ZC Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:05 am
He has reasons to be concerned. There have been too many people swooning emotionally over him. The hype has been unhinged, and it is not being overly cynical to believe that there are others unhinged out there over him as well.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:08 am
It is a really sad commentary on our great nation if an educated, articulate black man is discouraged from running for president bacause of some nutcase with an assault rifle.

Comment by Bluefish Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:11 am
He’s angling for a free Secret Service security detail. He wants to be famous, and risks from psycho’s and nutcases come with the territory.

An innocent crime victim who is being stalked usually can’t even get a squad car to check the house every hour or two. With Obama’s money, he’s perfectly capable of hiring and paying for a personal bodyguard himself.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:13 am
I think this concern has been floating around for a while. Let’s face it, here in the US, we don’t have the best track record when it comes to charismatic Presidential candidates and charismatic African American leaders. That being said, I think he’ll run anyway, Obama and his wife will not give in to fear. He’s just going to have to be way more cautious than most.

Comment by Serious Concerns Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:15 am
Bluefish â€“ I think it would be a shame if any educated, article man or woman was thusly discouraged, regardless of their race. And donâ€™t you mean because of the possibility of â€œsome nutcase with an assault rifleâ€? After all, the article doesnâ€™t mention any actually threats being received, just the fears of concerned family members that there might be. I think the sadder commentary on our great nation that people might try to drum up racial indignation over a vague, as-of-yet non-existent threat.

Comment by grand old partisan Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:38 am
I hope he is not realizing this now. If he is, what does that say about his ability to look towards future and make decisions regarding developing national/international problems?

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:40 am
Obama needs to use his campaign funds to hire security. It is unfortunate but necessary.

Comment by irishpirate Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:43 am
I agree with the posters who advocate him hiring his own security. D.C. has plenty of security firms who specialize in this, and I’m sure Obama could hire a driver or two with MMA experience or perhaps even a former Marine or two. Look at the security bought and paid for by movie stars, rappers, sports legends, etc. Obama could pay $50K or more a month to keep him safe and it would be a very worthwhile expense.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 9:58 am
This has been my concern since early in the Senate race. Obama was always HIGHLY approachable — to a degree that made me very uncomfortable.

You will just have to take my word for it when I tell you that I look like a guy that security should always intercept — but it never happened.

I assume that a new security structure will soon be implemented — and I will never again shake Barack Obama’s hand.

But I guess I’m willing to make some sacrifices to put this guy in the White House.

Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 10:16 am
If there are credible threats then the Capitol Police, who are in charge of security for members, should proivde the security they deem necessary to protect Obama. You cant have a country where elected officials govern, or dont govern, based on fear of harmful retaliation to them or their families.

Comment by BIG MIKE Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 10:18 am
I agree with a number of the other posters: He should (and can) get some high quality personal security folks for him and his family.

There are a number of ways to pay for it with no money out of his pockets (campaign funds, etc.) at least until Secret Service protection kicks in (provided he does decide to run).

Unfortunately, race could be a factor for some nutcases, however, there are a number of other nutcases in our country that don’t need race as a factor anyway–six of one, half dozen of another.

Being a politician (or celebrity, or professional athlete, successful business person, person of wealth, etc.) is a dangerous occupation but I’m sure there are some night convenience clerks (or police officers, soldiers, etc.) that would argue the daily threat is a little higher in their occupations–without the “up” side.

Ironically, one of the best ways to protect himself & his family is to run; one of the best ways to reduce future race issues is to win & be a worthy president…

Comment by Animous Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 10:19 am
Maybe his neighboring property owner Tony Rezko could spring for a top notch security system until such time as the Secret Service protection kicks in.

Comment by whatever Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 10:23 am
Worried about security could also be laying the groundwork for a handgun ban or some other type of firearm control legislation, more of a ploy than an actual worry, to build sympathy and support?

Comment by BBishere2 Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 11:18 am
The Capitol Police have a mandate to protect members of Congress.

During the impeachment hearings Henry Hyde was provided with a security detail based on the evaluation that Hyde was at some risk.

Since governors can use their state police for security details, it seems reasonable that members of Congress who are running for POTUS should be eligible for some sort of security at taxpayer expense.

If the Capitol Police evaluate that members of Congress are at risk they should get the appropriate security.

That said, even with a reasonable security detail candidates are at some risk. It’s not practical to have tight security at traditional campaign events.

We haven’t had serious/successful attempts on the lives of politicians–of course some think that some plane crashes were suspicious–since the early 1980s. But before that assassination had become sorta popular? trendy?

Unfortunately, I think the war and nature of our political dialog make more likely that assassination will make a comeback.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 11:33 am
Obama should pay for the security b/c he’s a public figure?

That’s BS. That’s the equivalent of saying that no one who isn’t wealthy enough to hire bodyguards should be a Senator.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 11:35 am
Another point is I’m not sure how much more at risk Obama is compared to a poor family living in a high crime neighborhood of Chicago or other city.

And unlike the poor family, Obama has the financial wherewithal to give himself extra security. Between his Senate pay, his books, and his wife just getting a huge raise at her job, I think they have the means.

Obama can’t have it both ways. He loves being a celebrity (let’s not kid ourselves) but wants to complain about the downside.

If Obama doesn’t feel safe, he should do the same thing other celebrities do - hire some bodyguards for now.

Comment by whatever Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 11:43 am
Carl,

I don’t think he should pay for his security for doing his “public” job: US Senator. The Capital Police examples by previous posters are good examples of protection for “just doing his job”. He shouldn’t be expected to pay for that level of protection.

The difference here is that he doesn’t need additional protection for being a US Senator, he needs extra protection because he is (considering) running for US President.

This is certainly not part of his elected “job” and is a strictly voluntary action with the sole intention of getting a position other than what he is currently elected to perform.

I don’t think its too much to ask for his campaign to pick up the bill at least until (or if) he makes it through the primary and has a 50/50 chance at the big job…

Comment by Animous Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 11:53 am
Don’t you people see that this is simply the Obama’s PR machine at work.

This is all a part of Obama of the cleverly crafted “he’s the Martin Luther King of our generation” theme. And getting the word out that he and his family are fearful of threats is just a part of it.

I can hear it now, “Obama is risking his life to run for President. The least I can do is take the time to go vote for him.”

Good grief people, let’s not be so gullible.

Comment by GOPGal Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 12:46 pm
Secret Service protection for Presidential Candidates starts in January or February in most election years—the 120 is when it becomes automatic.

The entire discussion above is bizarre to say the least. The public debate shouldn’t be inhibited by lone nuts or, you know, that thing we keep hearing change everything in breathless tones–terrorism. If the Secret Service feels there is justification, it should provide protection.

Finally, because we haven’t heard about death threats doesn’t mean they haven’t happened. If you remember the recent event where Keith Olbermann and others were sent a white powder, the event was kept quiet until Fox News broke the story over authority’s objections.

Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 12:54 pm
Damn. Archpundit is right. Sorry for the confusing earlier post.

The governing law is PL 90-331, which was passed after RFK’s assassination. It states that the Secret Service protects “major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates.” The 120-day rule would apply to Mrs. Obama. The way they worded it on the Secret Service website was confusing.

As to who qualifies as a “major candidate,” it continues, “As used in this paragraph, the term ‘major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates’ means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and one additional member selected by the other members of the committee.” Don’t think Barack would have any difficulties passing that test.

Comment by ZC Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 1:10 pm
Plain clothed Capitol Police provide 24 hour security, and a driver, for a large number of members. For instance, the two leaders of both parties in the Senate have a detail. When Sen. Lott stepped down from his leadership position, it’s rumored that part of the deal was that he got to keep his detail. Sen. Lieberman has a permanent detail, presumably based on the fact that he is high-profile, but also probably because some crazy people don’t like Jews. Many committee chairs have one. Etc, etc, etc.

Point being, I guess, is that the Capitol Police will provide a security detail if they believe there is reason to do so. If Sen. Obama is recieving threats, he’ll have protection.

Comment by Anon Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 2:04 pm
Assassinations I can recall: Medgar Evers, JFK, Malcolm X, RFK, Martin Luther King. Yes, it was a long time ago, but people are still alive who remember these events. I honestly worry about Obama because there are dangerously unhinged people out there who might choose him as a victim.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 4:15 pm
If Obama is worried about security it’s not going to do much good to talk to the media about it.
There is lots of very competent security advice out there and he should find it and do what they tell him to do.

What Obama should be worried about is how he is going to beat Hillary in the primaries. There are all kinds of recent signals that she is not going to quietly fade away into a senatorial old age.

I would never ever vote for either of them but
I must say the national Democratic primaries look to be a lot more entertaining than the Repubs
so far.

Comment by Cassandra Friday, Dec 15, 06 @ 7:47 pm
Arch is right about the notion of threats we may not have heard about doesn’t mean ‘they haven’t happened’.

Carol Mosely-Braun was never a serious contender (though she was a serious candidate) for the nomination in 2004 but she was still under a cloud of possible assassination threats simply by virtue of the color of her skin — just ask her or her staff.

There are indeed unhinged people living in this country, just ask folks living in Oklahoma City. And Sen. Obama is not “complaining” simply by mentioning this fact despite the spin partisan conservatives may wish to put on it.

Nor, unlike GOPgal’s little soliloquy may imply, is he likely to be mentioning such things solely as part of PR ploy. As Rich pointed out in his introduction to the Sun-Times quote, other people have been talking about security as well. Try not to be so overly cynical, GOPgal. It’s unbecoming.

Comment by NW burbs Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 10:25 am