EXCLUSIVE: Mitt Romney to Receive Secret Service Protection
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Emmanuel Dunand / AFP / Getty Images
TAMPA – Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign has been informed that it will start receiving Secret Service protection this week, two campaign sources and a senior Republican tell ABC News.
Secret Service protection is being given to the campaign not because of a specific threat but because of the increase in crowd sizes as the primary season has progressed over the past few weeks, according to the sources, who refused to be identified because they don’t have authority to comment on such matters publicly.
According to a federal law enforcement officials Romney’s campaign, which has long traveled with private security of its own, did request Secret Service protection. However sources tell ABC that the campaign did not make the request, but was approached about the additional security steps in the weeks following the New Hampshire primary.
The Secret Service is charged with protecting presidential candidates in addition to the president himself, and providing protection to a candidate before he secures a nomination has become fairly common. Such decisions are made by the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with congressional leadership.
Officials with the campaign and the Secret Service declined to comment on the decision.
Romney will become the only current Republican candidate with Secret Service protection. Herman Cain became the first candidate to receive Service protection, in November, but he ended his candidacy in December.
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Romney gets protection because the powers that be have already determined he will be the R candidate. HOw sad.
Posted by: Jim Miller | January 31, 2012, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
Obama and White House staff probably using spys in place of secret serverice to invade Romneys campaign. Heads up.
Posted by: Lisa | January 31, 2012, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm
There is a typo.
first candidate to receive [SECRET] Service protection, in November, but he ended his candidacy in December
Posted by: Daniel Korn | January 31, 2012, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm
The real advantage to secret service protection is the advance work they will do, the organization, the planning and the travel … all at tax payer expense and it gives the protectee special travel benefits, like open roads with escorts and roadblocks giving other candidates a huge disadvantage when they have to plan and travel on their own. So, it may be the executive branch (Obama) saying he’d rather run against Mitt … could it be that Mitt was a leader in a church that discriminated against african americans while Mitt was the “Stake President” and didn’t speak out against it. The skeleton in Mitt’s closet.
Posted by: Jay | January 31, 2012, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
It will really anger the newtster that nobody wants to kill him. After all he is the savior on the cross but no one notices. Catholic – his THIRD religion with as many wives.
Posted by: GrandInquisitor | January 31, 2012, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
Mr. Thorn – do you believe that there should be no discrimination against race, religion and nationality? It is possible that I have misinterpreted your comments to mean that it is not okay to be biased against one race but it is okay to be biased against a particular religion.
Posted by: Won Ungar | January 31, 2012, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
You guys are idiots the President doesn’t make the call to give a Presidential candidate protection on his own much less have a say in which candidate gets it. Those who get it have to meet certain criteria such as a particular dollar amount raised, intelligence and some other factors have to be in place and then a congressional committee decides if the candidate qualifies.
Posted by: John | January 31, 2012, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
can’t be based on intelligence. obama has secret service protection
Posted by: mark | January 31, 2012, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
He needs the extra protection if he’s going to be POTUS. Go Mitt!
Posted by: julie | January 31, 2012, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
He needs it.
Newt’s off the chain and lurking around.
Posted by: Bob | February 1, 2012, 12:00 am 12:00 am
Why did Herman Cain need Secret Service protection?
Posted by: Mark W | February 1, 2012, 12:30 am 12:30 am
This is a good thing. We need to keep our future president safe.
Posted by: Shelby | February 1, 2012, 12:36 am 12:36 am
Blehh…
Posted by: Amy | February 1, 2012, 12:52 am 12:52 am
“You guys are idiots the President doesn’t make the call to give a Presidential candidate protection on his own much less have a say in which candidate gets it. Those who get it have to meet certain criteria such as a particular dollar amount raised, intelligence and some other factors have to be in place and then a congressional committee decides if the candidate qualifies..”
Dude you have no clue about what your talking about.
Posted by: Ani | February 1, 2012, 1:07 am 1:07 am
Mitt Romney gets secret service protection while Newt Gingrich goes into the Witless protection
program. Sounds fair to me!
Posted by: mark | February 1, 2012, 1:07 am 1:07 am
The Anointed One, even though he was endorsed by the two losers McCain and Dole.
Obama will easily defeat this one just like Clinton and Obama did to the `two losers`, and there are not enough LDS cult members in the USA to elect him. Most of the Paul supporters will stay home, and large part of the conservative base will stay home as well because they can`t stomach another RINO like McCain or Dole, they will all be resigned to the fact of another term for Obama.
Posted by: Ray | February 1, 2012, 1:47 am 1:47 am
The GOP-establishment is gonna shove this moderate-RINO, global warming, socialized medicine man and former governor from Taxachusetts right DOWN the PEOPLE’S THROATS. It’s a redux 2008. I even think the DNC wants him. They won’t care about the conservative vote until the general election.
BTW: Isn’t McRomney the guy who LOST to the guy who LOST to Barack Hussein Obama?
Posted by: jason morse | February 1, 2012, 1:47 am 1:47 am
Not sure why there seems to be so many different romney’s running around hard to know which romney is real-would the real Romney please stand up? I guess if we ever do settle on one Romney its the best money Obama can spend for his re election campaign!
Posted by: John Brink | February 1, 2012, 2:26 am 2:26 am
Romney = Obama repeat.
Posted by: Bob Forsberg | February 1, 2012, 3:44 am 3:44 am
Publicity-seeking tactic for an Obama clone. The candidate whom the State really wants to kill is the Honorable Ron Paul.
Posted by: nobody_but_paul | February 1, 2012, 3:58 am 3:58 am
“This is a good thing. We need to keep our future president safe.”
POSTED BY: SHELBY | FEBRUARY 1, 2012, 12:36 AM 12:36 AM______________Shelby, the future president is safe. He is currently the one in the oval office—Barrack Obama—president of the United States. In the meantime, have fun with the Mitt/Newt comedy hour
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | February 1, 2012, 4:36 am 4:36 am
The Secret Service is charged with protecting the President, Vice-President and other federal / elected officials. A major party candidate is automatically protected 120 days before the general election, though protection may be afforded earlier, depending on specific threats or money raised in the campaign, though this must be approved by the Congressional Leadership (gang of eight).
The President is permitted to order Secret Service protection for any American citizen, for an undefined limited period, though that may be extended based on intelligence, or Congressional approval.
Posted by: Andrew McKinlay | February 1, 2012, 4:39 am 4:39 am
If the President is permitted to order Secret Service protection for any American citizen, for an undefined limited period, though that may be extended based on intelligence, or Congressional approval, why not hire more Secret Service staff?
I’d like an intelligent, tall and nice smelling non-denominational bodyguard, please.
Posted by: A. Voter | February 1, 2012, 5:35 am 5:35 am
This is standard procedure. Why is it news?
Posted by: David Beall | February 1, 2012, 5:45 am 5:45 am
Mutt has been doing very well since he meeting with bush sr.
Posted by: yarply | February 1, 2012, 6:47 am 6:47 am
This is just the Federal Reserve protecting their investment. Goldman Sachs received and $814 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT from the FED in 2008. They are the largest contributors to both Romney’s and Obama’s campaign, paid for with American taxpayer dollars. This whole election is a joke, now we choose between Mr. Style and Mr. Haircut and the FED which has already stolen $51 TRILLION DOLLARS will keep stealing, because both these clowns are OWNED by Wall Street.
Posted by: clickron | February 1, 2012, 7:50 am 7:50 am
Romney gets secret service protection because the 99% of nutbags are on the left.
Posted by: Joe Binden | February 1, 2012, 7:55 am 7:55 am
I am glad to see this Secret Service access given to the GOP presidential front-runner. As we have already seen some scary, up-close-and-personal incidents of Occupiers and other leftist lunatic-fringe thugs coming into physical contact with some of the Republican candidates, all of them should receive this protection. We do not need a repeat of the Tucson Massacre when a deranged, left-wing, atheist anarchist murdered six innocent citizens and tried to assassinate former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). Excuse me, I forgot; that was the fault of the Tea Party, according to Giffords “special friend”, Congresswoman and DNC chair, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL).
Posted by: Thomas | February 1, 2012, 8:22 am 8:22 am
I thought only the Tea party were hateful and violent!!!! The Democrats and Obama supporters are so sweet, they only pee on cop cars. They threaten to kill cops too but you can’t count that. They occupy and want to take your hard earned stuff, want communism and hate America etc.. They won’t hurt Mitt..will they?????
Posted by: mariee | February 1, 2012, 8:30 am 8:30 am
The taxpayer must protect these criminals in suits at all costs. It makes me sick to my stomach to see people like this running for government office. The ONLY person romney has ever served is himself. What a SHAMEFUL, SHAMEFUL nation we live in. God will judge these people and the United Stated very soon.
Posted by: Dave Axelrod | February 1, 2012, 9:00 am 9:00 am
Ridiculous. If he really wants smaller govt, he needs to hire his own security force and pay for it himself. This kind of nonsense has gone way too far….I am conservative, but let’s be fair. We are hanging our elderly on fixed incomes out to dry, many of whom have fought in the military and worked hard to build this country, while politicians who are already enriching themselves at the public trough get benefit piled on top of benefit courtesy of the taxpayers. This joker isn’t even an elected official! I say cut their pretty pensions, make them pay for their own healthcare, buy their own cars and hire their own security. PRIORITIES!
Posted by: Michele S | February 1, 2012, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Well, it’s not like he’s spending tax money on underwear like the First Cow
Posted by: Jive Time Jimmy | February 1, 2012, 10:04 am 10:04 am
If this idiot is the nominee, i guess i’ll be voting for obama… I mean whats the difference? At lease obama can only have 4 more years, not 8 like romney!
Posted by: Heather K | February 1, 2012, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Secret Service? not a freaking set up is it? How about the rest of the candidates…this bullshyt of picking the candidate by influencing the minds of IDIOTS has to stop!
Posted by: desert | February 1, 2012, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Always makes me laugh to see the responses to articles like this. Thanks for the entertainment.
Posted by: Malkuth | February 1, 2012, 10:24 am 10:24 am
From the Secret Service Website FAQ:
“Which candidates for President does the Secret Service protect?
In regard to presidential campaign, the Secret Service is authorized by law (18 United States Code § 3056) to protect:
Major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election. As defined in statute, the term “major presidential and vice presidential candidates” means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of Homeland Security after consultation with an advisory committee.
The Secret Service provides protection for major candidates, unless declined.
The Secret Service has no role in determining who is to be considered a major candidate. The Secretary of the Homeland Security determines who qualifies as a major candidate and when such protection should commence under the authority of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3056. This determination is made in consultation with an advisory committee comprised of the following individuals:
Speaker of the House
House Minority Whip
Senate Majority Leader
Senate Minority Leader
One additional member chosen by the committee”
Posted by: Matt | February 1, 2012, 11:09 am 11:09 am
The frontrunner SHOULD have SS Protection. When Romney chooses Rubio for the ticket, he will have it, too.
Posted by: gutsygirl | February 1, 2012, 11:24 am 11:24 am
So we now want someone who will do nothing about illegal immigration ?
Posted by: Robert | February 1, 2012, 11:53 am 11:53 am
ANI, sorry but let’s just say I know how this works one way or another so your statement stating I have no clue is way off base. Like I said before the President does not decide which candidate gets protection there are certain criteria they have to meet and like another person posted earlier the DHS Secretary evaluates the criteria and presents it to a Congressional board who overseas and authorizes the funding for the Secret Service.
Posted by: John | February 1, 2012, 11:57 am 11:57 am
I remember reading comment nonsense like this during the last election – and some of those recieving the protection did not make it to President.
Posted by: Reason Rules | February 1, 2012, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
This is news because normally major candidates (with DHS deciding who is “major”) become eligible to receive Secret Service protection 120 days before the general election (July).
Candidates who want to appear important and start socializing their expenses like swinging Secret Service protection. So we’re paying for something special for Romney somehow.
Posted by: Robert Johnson | February 1, 2012, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm
The Federal government is committing endless crimes against myself, my family, and our country to cover up the coup. The next election is shaping up to be as big of a sham as the last. Do you know why Sarah Palin’s bus tour was really canceled? Do you know why she stayed 30 miles away from the second debate and chose the death of Steve Jobs to announce that she’s not running? Know what leaked out? Sarah Palin and Cain aren’t in the race for the same reason, the truth leaked out. Search PalinsDirtyLittleSecret for the biggest cover up in history
Posted by: aaron fleszar | February 1, 2012, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
Herman Cain got his SS protection almost 3 months before Romney did. I wonder if this is based on affirmative action.
Posted by: Lejaune | February 1, 2012, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
The puppet masters need to make sure their puppets are safe and secure.
Posted by: NeonLeon | February 1, 2012, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Wow, what lousy reporting–since when did it become acceptable to quote unauthorized sources who have no authority to speak rather than to get the story from an approved source??? Is this what you learn today in journalism classes??? I am appalled at the laziness of your reporting (and online reporting in general).
Posted by: Sam | February 1, 2012, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
Doesn’t anyone report the news without political bias and an intent to set the agenda anymore??? Your video is wrought with liberal bias. Then what would you expect for media that is bought and paid for by liberals??? I no longer watch ABC, NBC, or CBS because you cannot report ANYTHING without a liberal progressive bias.
Posted by: Sam | February 1, 2012, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm
Left, right. Right ,left. Two heads of the same beast. Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. I just wonder how long the mainstream propaganda machine will be able to keep the charade going. People are starting to realize that they have NO voice in USA politics.
Posted by: Dave | February 2, 2012, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
So, someone stated that Romney “… could it be that Mitt was a leader in a church that discriminated against african americans while Mitt was the “Stake President” and didn’t speak out against it. The skeleton in Mitt’s closet.”
Okay I looked it up. Church allowed blacks to start holding the priesthood in 1978
Romney was stake president from 1986 – 1994
Have your facts straight before you start flinging out remarks that in them selves sound awful prejudice
Posted by: tami | February 4, 2012, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm