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

[IraqVet04]

I guess John McCain won't be making any campain stops in Compton.

[unsolved999]

Maybe that's why Lieberman wants to be his vice president... Oh and there Hillary going, "Me! Me! pick me!"

[scottyboi84]

This is absurd! Who cares?! I do think it's awful that they publicize a story such as this. now, everyone who reads about this will know that he has no protection, and he's probably got a lot of enemies being in the position that he's in, and know we all know that he's unarmed. Good luck buddy, I guess... And it shouldn't be an issue if he was elected President, there's protection whether you like it or not, or even know about it or not, and that is NOT a waste of taxpayer money. It's important that our President is protected at all times, no matter whom it is. Does he think that he's invincible?! I don't take anything he says seriously, and as a matter of fact I get a little annoyed and irritated to hear him talking, or to even hear OF him talking...stupidity, and arrogance have gotten us no where fast so far, idiot!

[slow2]

Maybe Mrs. McCain's $$$ provide some security personnel. From today's reports in the msm and elsewhere she's not on food stamps.

[kettletop]

do we need another self-delusioned president who thinks he is invulnerable?

[booksnmore4you]

Well, that's very stupid Senator McCain. Any inferences we can draw from this?

[diogeron]

It's not just stupid. It's arrogant.

[JavaCityGal]

And a poor sense of reality. There ARE nut jobs out there.

[progresemulo]

He couldn't care less about the safety of his supporters.

[TN]

No he doesn't have to worry because he is on the side of the nutjobs that would do something. We are the ones that have to worry about the nutjobs.

[FreedomsRoad]

LOL. Too true and exactly what I was thinking.

[JavaCityGal]

LOL -- cracked me up! But seriously though, he may not be nut job enough for some.

[buddhistMonkey]

If McCain gets taken out, it will likely be a Republican who does it.

[zendem1]

I can think of far greater wastes of taxpayer money at the Federal level than SS protection. Like, oh I don't know, congressional junkets to Iraq for photo ops? He'll change his tune once he gets into the office, and he knows it. Hes just an old man blathering on and on about crap...

[PrdAmerican]

He's merely attempting to live up to his maverick persona which is an irresponsible, brash decision that shines a light on his incredibly stupid decision making process. Not what I would expect of a potential president. I hope, for his kids sake, that no harms comes from this STUPID ANNOUNCEMENT...nothing like pasting a red and white circle on your back.

[progresemulo]

Glad to see him thinking of the safety of the people who attend his campaign rallies.

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[wolfi101]

You know, this can be spun as a ballsy decision... but I think, this might bring questions about his decision making abilities. There are kooks out there, and the President is always one of the most, highly-targeting positions in the world. We don't need a President with a death-wish.

[ But I have to say, I do not completely understand this view, since it is not fully implemented, despite how they are spinning it. He had like 100 security people around him, when he went to Iraq. Granted a riskier place, but still - )

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Now I REALLY want to know who Cowboy John's Veep is going to be!

[PioneerKing]

Without a Secret Service detail its more difficult to find out where and when McCain goes and who he sees.

BTW - where's Vicki Iseman?

[Davwbaird]

you will see her after the election.

[bob5701]

He's ,certainly one brave American, makes one fell so fuzzy! However, Obama has excepted there so called protection, and he should be very leery. Do not trust the SS!!

[PioneerKing]

What a crock of crap. If it's not the Secret Service that's been tailing McCain at his events then who are all of the guys with the ear and wrist coms? BlackWater employees.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Oy.