Obama Gets Secret Service Due to Death Threats

Sen. Barack Obama has been placed under the protection of the United States Secret Service. Dept of Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff signed off this move after consulting a Congressional Committee.

This marks the first time that a candidate has received the protection of the Secret Service this early in the campaign. Generally it is not given until the candidate is in fact the official nominee of a party.

Obama's camp requested the extra security due to a threat made against the Senator. They have not requested that all questions go directly to Homeland Security or the Secret Service. Federal law allows candidates to seek protection if they meet a series of standards, including public prominence as measured by polls and fundraising.

Hillary Clinton already had the protection of the Secret Service due to being a former first lady.
Jessie Jackson had to receive protection early in his campaign in the 80s due to death threats.

It would appear that having a viable African American and a woman candidate has some disturbed looking for opportunities to harm the people that America is clearly choosing.

Obama tries to play down the role of race. However, he did write in "The Audacity of Hope": "Whatever preconceived notions white Americans may continue to hold, the overwhelming majority of them these days are able -- if given the time -- to look beyond race in making their judgments of people."

Jessie Jackson told Obama that he had to consider his family when running, because they would become targets too.

There are threats and talk on the Internet about the possible assassination of Obama if he was to win the presidency.