McCain Rejects Secret Service Protection

"Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) may be the presumptive GOP nominee for president, but, by his own wishes, he is not being protected by the Secret Service." The Hill reports.

"He has not requested protection," Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan told a congressional subcommittee this morning. "We have no involvement at this point."

In opting not to take the protection, McCain is following through on plans he outlined to reporters late last year on his Straight Talk Express campaign bus.

Members of the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee were surprised by Sullivan's revelation. Sullivan said his agency had been in contact with McCain's staff. But a candidate has no legal requirement to take protection.

Last November, McCain told reporters he felt such protection was an "inconvenience" and too expensive for tax payers:

"It's my intention, if we win this nomination, to reject Secret Service," he said during one of his many conversations with reporters on his Straight Talk Express this weekend. "Why do I need it?"

He adds: "The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we're driving in the motorcade and there's a guy in a rooftop with a rifle, that they can stop that guy, then I'll say fine. But the day they tell me, 'well, we can't guarantee it,' then fine, I'll take my chances."

McCain rejected Secret Service protection in 2000, after winning the New Hampshire primary. But he wants to go further, rejecting the massive security apparatus should he become president.

"It's the inconvenience," McCain said. "It's the inconvenience it causes people. It's a waste of the taxpayers money. It's just everything I don't like."

Comments

[Gatorgal]

Just proves how out-of-touch he is. Yesterday in Jacksonville, he said he has been meeting with jeb bush for years on education policy and he will continue to do so in the future if he wins the November election. jeb bush and his wonderful educational policies have florida dead last in all the criteria for a good system. mclame needs to look elsewhere for help.

[IRIE]

Who is really going to hurt an old man?

[Jey]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[elderly]

Those who do harm to leaders in this country are among McCain's supporters. He has nothing to worry about.

[solid]

Yep. The Timothy McVeigh types typically go after the positive, hopeful, turn the country around Democratic candidates. Hinckley, family friend of Neil Bush, being the exception, shooting at Ronnie Raygun.

Obama watch your back!

[situationcritical]

Thankfully for McCain nobody cares enough about him to pose a threat.

[lafrance]

I do hope McCain will stay safe. Regardless of party it is a dangerous thing.
Hillary needs it as a former first lady and Obama has had threats on his life. I'm sure they would prefer not to have it.

[kellygrrrl]

guess Cindy's money buys better Security Detail than the Secret Service.
Hope Oprah's does also

[turtle bay]

A Syllogism:

McCain won't release his medical records.

McCain rejects secret service.

Conclusion? McCain has a BUCKET LIST, and at the top is "Enjoy the rush of being leader of the free world without the protection of the secret service."

[spaceman3838]

i guess if you cant bowl more then a 37 you need all the protection you can get. i mean if you can only bowl a 37 how can you protect yourself

[cindyw]

You're right. I can't think of one good bowler who's been assassinated.

[carlgt1]

I'm not impressed; this isn't bravery, just stupidity. all it takes is one nut getting close a la that kook getting up to Obama in Philly.

[lee4]

Not only is he old, he's stupid. Or maybe it's Alzheimers. Whatever, it's always "his way or the highway" remember.

[Whinger]

He had plenty of security around him Iraq, so he must think he's entirely safe in the USA.

Another poor judgment call.

[majseventh]

If he doesn't want to be inconvenienced with security, than I think he should just bow out now. He will be employed by the Americans and we do not want our President assassinated or kidnapped. McCain is being really stupid. That is the only word that fits.

[KQuark]

If Islamic extremism is such a threat why does McCrazy not need secret service protection? Could you imagine a president or candidate saying that secret service protection is not necessary when we are fighting two wars? Talk about bad judgment and more importantly being reckless. It just shows how dangerous McCain's shoot from the hip thought processes are.

[solid]

A Republican president is a gift that keeps on giving for Islamic extremists. Hell, they will be happy to pony up a few bodyguards for McInsane!

[Alessan]

Doesn't McCain realize he is the nominee for the Republican party, and will get protection whether
he wants it or not., it is mandatory. So the statement is crap.

[JulieSA]

Read the article. Protection is NOT mandatory for candidates, but it is for the president. He's not using Secret Service protection.

[jsinclair]

What a selfish pr*ck. Surely he realizes that if someone targets YOU they often get others around you. (James Brady, anyone?)

Without Secret Service protection for a candidate, even being in a crowd is more dangerous. Stupid.