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

[MotherGinSling]

This seems crazy, reckless, naive and irresponsible, especially if he thinks it's unnecessary for a president. I think the days of vulnerable motorcades are probably past anyway, because of obvious problems in history.

[Brgotn]

Considering his service record it doesn't suprise me. Once you have experienced the hell of war the troubles we face living day to day in this great nation are really insigninificant.

[imusintheevening]

He has no sense for personal security so should we trust him with our national security?

[imusintheevening]

He doesn't have the sense for personal security so should we should trust him with our national security?

[Buddhabman]

What is that his new tact , to bait Sen. Obama, into not taking Secret Service.

See I am really the only one saving tax payer dollars (2 Million tops), don't worry about the 4 Billion a week we spend in Iraq.

Not very smart, and hell he know his own ticket is coming up shortly anyway. Jeez

[brwnizofmine]

don't take that bait Barack~ keep your SS. might better find out who they are though, and make sure they're really down for you!

[jdw112]

I dislike John McCain and a lot of what he stands for, but I do not want anything to happen to him. He is an American Hero, a true patriot, and potentially the next President of our country (I hope not on this one, though). I think this is a bad idea unless he has a private security detail.

[NC4Obama]

McCain isnt very smart is he?

[bob5701]

Maybe he knows something we don't.

[robXdion]

This is kinda sad because the crazies have a bigger target than him and he knows it. Sick but true.

[JohnCochtosten]

Maybe he's seen their track record with Obama and decided he'd rather hire someone else.

[Buddhabman]

Good point. Maybe he will begin contracting with Blackwater. Don't want to mess with those dudes at an intersection.