A Question About Secret Service

[GiovanniC]

The other day there were stories about Kerry calling one of his secret service agents a "son of a bitch". I don't know how much credibility to give that story, but if it's true then I second Jon Stewart's comment from the other night: "Yes, that son of a bitch -- the Secret Service agent who has sworn to take a bullet for John Kerry. What... an... ass."

But that caused my mother to ask a question I didn't know the answer to. John Kerry obviously has Secret Service protection. And I understand why (Bobby Kennedy, anyone?). But what I'm wondering is... when does that protection go into effect? When you secure the nomination? When you announce your candidacy? Does Howard Dean have Secret Service protection? Al Sharpton? Kucinich?

[RobertSeattle]

1. Based on request

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-02-20-kerry-protection_x.htm

"It's a decision the candidate has to request," said Secret Service spokesman Tom Mazur.

Federal law allows candidates to seek protection if they meet a series of standards, including public prominence as measured by polls and fund raising.

[MountainLaurel]

2. From the USSS site

http://www.usss.treas.gov/protection.shtml

major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general Presidential election.

[GiovanniC]

3. How many days until the general election?

120 days is about 4 months. The election is 7 months away.

[Killarney]

4. If I remember right

it was before he secured the nomination and Edwards actually got protection, too. I don't know if Edwards is no longer protected since he dropped out.

[GiovanniC]

5. Also, Can Anyone Address

What Kerry may have said in regards to the Secret Service agent? Did he really call him a son of a bitch?

If so, has he apologized?

[underpants]

7. This is a huge talking point with the right wingers right now

to answer the first question I think it just depends on the circumstance.

Anyway this is a big talking point on RW radio and Fox and the freeper reporter (LEster) who actually is allowed into WH press briefings asked if W would protect the Secret SErvice guys from Kerry....seriously he asked that. There was no response I don't believe.

[Lisa0825]

9. This is the context I heard it in....

Kerry was snowboarding, and a SS guy got in his way, causing Kerry to fall. So, I am thinking it was more like an exclamation because he fell, not necessarily, "YOU son of a bitch."

[GiovanniC]

10. I Think I Heard It Different

Maybe that proves that it's false.

I heard that the SS agent got in front of him, Kerry fell, and when a reporter asked Kerry about falling, Kerry said, "I don't fall. That son of a bitch ran into me."

[RamboLiberal]

13. I have a feeling Kerry has some real colorful language

And SOB was a slip of the tongue.

I'm sure some politicos and family members treat them well, some are probably indifferent, some probably treat them like servants or worse.

But I don't think that makes a darn bit of difference in a person being qualified to be in the office.

We have an ex-agent here in Pittsburgh who's a frequent caller and guest on a couple of radio talk shows. He does nothing but praise 41 and his wife for how they treated him and fellow agents, even making sure the agents got to eat at the family picnics, etc.

I have a feeling 43 might be fairly decent to them.

If you read that recent book on Pickles you'll note the Bush twins treat their agents like crap. And their dad and mom should get on their case about it.

I've heard Chelsea treated her agents decently and if she got out of line would apologize.

I just think Kerry needs to realize he needs to be damn careful about everything. He's in a fish bowl and RWingnuts and the WH are getting very desparate for any thing to smear him with.

But these brave men and women in the SS are trained to protect these people no matter what they think of them personally.

[demnan]

6. Rumors about Secret Service treatment

flourished during the Clinton years too. I'd say that's probably a blatant GOP lie. They have no imagination. Don't they know if you continue to tell the same lies about Kerry that you did about Clinton someone might wonder about the voracity of the reports?

[yolatengo]

8. who the F%&# cares!?

Freeperville is blowing this up to damage Kerry in the eyes of RUBES.

Y'all making a big deal out of this probably watch "That 70's Show",
and when Red calls Eric a "dumbass" you say to yourselves:

"Eric should go into foster care, Red should be criminally indicted
for child abuse and Kitty's an enabler".

The SS is sworn to protect. They are NOT little children who's widdle
feewings will be hurt by being called an SOB. Sh*t, some of them
probably LIKE being called an SOB (like some women refer to themselves
as a 'tough bitch'). Protection is an unfortunate necessity. Look at all
the times The Twins tried to evade the SS to have a 'real life' occasionally.
I think it can be frustrating sometimes to have people following you
everywhere, and yes, sometimes even 'getting in your way', even if
accidentally. But everyone is an ADULT and capable of doing their
job. If I worked for Cheney at Halliburton and he called me a 'dipshit'
one day because of some perceived foul up on my part, I wouldn't
go boo hooing to the frickin' press about it. What, if Kerry calls them
an SOB once too many they're NOT going to 'take a bullet' for him?
LBJ probably ONLY called them SOBs!

This plays on two stooopid GOP memes;

1. the 'adults are in charge' so WE always treat the SS with respect
whereas those moral relativist elitist Democraps treat everyone like
shit.

2. these 'professionals' (SS, FBI, Armed Services, etc) have waaaaay
more respect for us GOPers and refuse to salute, refuse to take
bullets for, refuse to do our JOBS for Democraps because they are
not wooooorthy of 'respect'.

IMHO, Kerry should be able to refer to them as 'Motherf*cker',
'hey you', 'yo, morAn' or whatever the hell he wants and they
should do their JOBS. If they think some Presidents are more
equal than others, GET A NEW JOB, *sshole! Fortunately, I think
that almost ALL SS agents take their jobs very, very seriously and
as a result are above this petty partisan political CRAPOLA.

Jon Stewart is being an idiot.

Bigby

[Bridget Burke]

11. Let's have a link to the story about Kerry's comment

Then we'll discuss the larger question.

[zbdent]

12. Question - Why should W get Secret Service protection?

All the idiots with the guns love him!

For those that believe that I insulted them:

Larger set: Idiots
Subset of Idiots: Idiots supporting Bush
Subset of Idiots supporting Bush: Idiots supporting Bush who also have guns

NOT: everybody with guns are idiots.

Please make sure you understand that.