Originally published April 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 4, 2008 at 10:49 AM
McCain declines Secret Service guards so far
Although he's the presumptive Republican nominee for president, John McCain has yet to ask for Secret Service protection as he travels the...
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — Although he's the presumptive Republican nominee for president, John McCain has yet to ask for Secret Service protection as he travels the country.
The revelation surprised some members of Congress on Thursday during a hearing on the Secret Service's budget request for fiscal 2009.
McCain's campaign has spoken about security with Department of Homeland Security officials but has not asked for coverage, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said.
"He's not required to have protection," Sullivan said.
McCain campaign spokesman Jeffrey Sadosky refused to discuss security measures or Secret Service protection.
McCain said last fall that he would avoid Secret Service protection as long as possible because it would interfere with his ability to interact with voters.
The absence of protection for the Arizona senator means a lot of the agency's $110 million budget for presidential protection this fiscal year has gone primarily to the two high-profile Democratic nominees, Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
Clinton was entitled to protection as a former first lady, but Secret Service staffing was adjusted after she became a presidential candidate.
Obama began using Secret Service protection after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and a bipartisan advisory committee decided last May that threat levels were high enough to warrant it.
The high staffing levels have strained the Secret Service, which didn't begin protecting Democratic nominee John Kerry until February 2004 in the last presidential election cycle.
Sullivan said the agency had faced "challenges" with massive crowds not often seen in a pre-election winter and spring.
McCain does have private bodyguards who accompany him to events. On charter planes, reporters and staffers are screened by private security each time they board.
On one recent flight in Mississippi, a bomb-sniffing dog checked the media bus before reporters were allowed to board McCain's charter.
Material from The Washington Post is included in this report.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
UPDATE - 07:38 PM
Senate Democrats at odds over health-care bill
Mammogram guidelines spark debate over health bill
Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote
Landrieu to vote to move ahead on health-care bill

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Senate vote clears hurdle
235 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
119 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
117 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
115 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
114 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
87 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
86 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
52 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
46
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'








