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by Jill Zuckman
Sen. John McCain, who has famously opposed the use of Secret Service as he campaigns for president, is bowing to realities of modern presidential politics.
In an interview with Fox News Sunday, which will air this weekend, McCain said he expects to receive protection within the coming weeks.
“I think that it’s important as we get more and more visibility–that we recognize the inevitable. And so we will be talking with them early [next week] to arrange for very soon, some Secret Service protection,” McCain said, adding that he has not requested a detail until now because “it inhibits my ability to have close contact with people.”
Both Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have Secret Service protection.
In an interview with the Tribune, Cindy McCain said she has been worried about McCain’s safety.
“That’s my job is to worry and I’m good at it,” she said. “I understand his rationale though. He never wants to lose that personal contact that he has and his ability to get with the voter, get in close and very personal with them.”
Cindy McCain said she expects that her husband will insist that the Secret Service give him the space he needs to meet with voters at campaign events.
“He’s not by any stretch being cavalier,” she said. “I never would want that impression left with anybody. He’s just, he’s a very personal guy and he’s a very hands on person with the voters. That’s why people like him and believe in him and he never wants to lose that.”
McCain has also told reporters that he thinks Secret Service protection for the president is overdone with long motorcades tying up traffic just to take the president from the White House to Capitol Hill.
"You got a problem up on Capitol Hill? It's 12 blocks away, right?" McCain said last November during a campaign swing through northern New Hampshire. "Alright. You hop in a car with tinted glass, and maybe one Secret Service guy with you. And you drive up. Okay? And you get out of the car, you walk into Sen. Harry Reid's office and you say, Harry..."
Asked whether he wanted to emulate Harry Truman, a president who would walk outside the White House unescorted, McCain acknowledged that that was unrealistic.
"I will admit you can't do that," McCain said. "But you don't need 50 cars and SUV's full of people driving along, stopping traffic."
Comments
"BLACKWATER SPEAKS"
HEY WAIT A MINUTE, WE GOT THIS. YOU KNOW THE PLAN. "SECRET SERVICE"
MEANS YOU WILL BE PUT ON "NOTICE" WHEN THEIR IS A "BREACH" IN SECURITY.
JOHN JOHN, STICK WITH THE PLAN. STICK WITH THE PLAN. YOU PROMISED, YOU PROMISED "MR. CHAIRMAN" YOU PROMISED.
WE GOT THIS. OUR MILITIA WILL BE BACK, WE HAD A DEAL! WE HAD A DEAL!
WHAT IS THAT JOHN, YOU PROMISED KEN STARR, YOU PROMISED!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 4, 2008 2:47 PM
If John W McBush is so tough, why'd he need all that protection when he took his famous stroll in Baghdad last year?
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/01/mccain-iraq-stroll/
"NBCs Nightly News provided further details about McCains one-hour guided tour. He was accompanied by "100 American soldiers, with three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships overhead." Still photographs provided by the military to NBC News seemed to show McCain wearing a bulletproof vest during his visit".
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/01/graham-mccain-rugs/
This is a guy who's running for Commander-in-Chief of the United States. This is the guy who'll have access to "The Football". This is the guy who is supposed to have good judgment.
http://www.spicejar.org/asiplease/images/mccainisuzu.jpg
Posted by: John E | April 4, 2008 2:59 PM
I would think Cyndi McCain could use some of that 300 million she inherited to keep her man safe.
After all,she and her Daddy bought and paid for McNut,even though he was a married man with children.
Posted by: Raving Loon | April 4, 2008 3:03 PM
Unlike some recent presidents I suspect that potentials McCain and Obama, as president, could walk to Capitol Hill with only a few agents to escort them. Hilary would be best transported in secret. She is seriously hated by some major nutbars.
A few years ago I ran into the Canadian Prime Minister strolling down the boulevard in Montreal. I baited her (Kim Campbell) by saying "Good luck Mrs. Campbell" in reference to the upcoming elections. She replied, "Thank you!" to which I countered, "... you'll need it!" thinking myself the prince of wit.
I then walked ahead of her to my car, which was along her path at the next corner, and opened the trunk to get my suitcase ... all of the sudden the sky went dark. The two biggest RCMP protective detail officers you ever saw were on each side of me... "Just looking" they said... Good think my inflatable doll was in for repairs.
Posted by: Jack Sprat | April 4, 2008 3:18 PM
I can see the old guy now, shaking his cane at the Secret Service guys..."You young whipper snappers..in..in my day the President didn't need a fancy limo car....he had a horse....and he liked it!" Covering himself will his shall as they help him step down the curb.
Posted by: Joe | April 4, 2008 3:50 PM
The only former president to refuse Secret Service protection? Richard Nixon. The most abusive first lady to her SS agents? Hillary, of course. Want to read some of the things, mostly unprintable, that she said to her SS agents? Go to gatewaypundit.blogspot.com. But don't let the children read it.
Posted by: Jackson | April 4, 2008 3:54 PM
"But you don't need 50 cars and SUV's full of people driving along, stopping traffic."
Of course not, if traffic stops, that's gas that's not being used and money not going into Republican oil executive's pockets!
Posted by: Paul | April 4, 2008 4:50 PM
"If John W McBush is so tough..."
Posted by: John E | April 4, 2008 2:59 PM
Tough? Nobody's as tough as our little John E!
"I've signed back up,in Feb [2007]. I will be off. If I can replace one young kid over there,then I feel I have done my part."
Posted by: John E. | Oct 13, 2006 5:45:30 PM
By the way, how did you manage to post 50 times per day while shooting it out with the insurgents? Musta been rough.
So why don't you share some of your war adventures with us? I'm sure there are some really thrilling stories about you and GI Joe in the backyard sandbox.
Posted by: he's so tuff... or is it "she"? | April 4, 2008 5:06 PM
I think it is mandated by law.
Posted by: Kathleen | April 4, 2008 5:52 PM
So why don't you share some of your war adventures with us? I'm sure there are some really thrilling stories about you and GI Joe in the backyard sandbox.
Posted by: he's so tuff... or is it "she"? | April 4, 2008 5:06 PM
"MJ"
"Vinny"
"lylepink"
"geraldinetoo"
Juanito
Leo T
...or whatever a weenie like you who has been run off this site at least three times in the past, calls themselves nowdays.
If I said it then it must be true, now it's up to sock puppets like you to prove me wrong...
Posted by: John E | April 4, 2008 7:25 PM
...or whatever a weenie like you who has been run off this site at least three times in the past, calls themselves nowdays.
If I said it then it must be true, now it's up to sock puppets like you to prove me wrong...
Posted by: John E | April 4, 2008 7:25 PM
Prove you wrong? But Obama Girl who would want to do that? I mean everybody believes you... You're so macho and all, bravely stationed at your computer keyboard, 10... 12 hours a day, every day while fighting for your nation. We salute you soldier!
Oh, by the way, how is it possible for anybody to be "run off this site"? I mean I know you're one tough man and all... and you're probably "run off" a lot of people over in Iraq... but can you explain to us how somebody gets run out of cyberspace?
Posted by: Monica John E Lewinsky | April 4, 2008 9:19 PM
Oh, by the way, how is it possible for anybody to be "run off this site"? I mean I know you're one tough man and all... and you're probably "run off" a lot of people over in Iraq... but can you explain to us how somebody gets run out of cyberspace?
Posted by: Monica John E Lewinsky | April 4, 2008 9:19 PM
MJ,
You were run off this site when you called yourself "Juanito" and when you called yourself "Leo T" and when you called yourself "Anonymous".
I still waiting for you to provide prove that anything I've said wasn't true, clown boy..
I want to see your proof, I want tax returns, SS #'s etc....I'm waiting !
Posted by: John E | April 4, 2008 9:41 PM
Whoever I may be, If i were "run off", uh... then why am I still here?
And like I said, why would I want to try to prove you and GI Joe aren't real soldiers?
Posted by: John E Obama Girl | April 5, 2008 7:49 AM