How long will it be before Kerry gets a Secret Service detail?

[Wapsie B]

I know it's sop for the candidates for both sides to get them. When there's an incumbent obviously the guy in office has his. But when does the leading challenger get his? After the nomination or when the nomination is mathematically wrapped up? Just curious.

[jpgray]

1. The nominee better not get RFKed or Wellstoned...

:scared:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. I thought since Wallace shooting they automatically get them

once they are in the race. So Lieberman et al. had them.

[MidwestTransplant]

4. It's not once they are in the race I don't think

supposedly it's after you win a primary I heard.

[Nay]

10. Clark did not have any Secret Service protection that I could see

in Richmond on Saturday.

[Bozita]

3. I read the thread title ... and thought of RFK

[GemMom]

5. Straight from the Secret Service website

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

Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:
the President, the Vice President, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the President-elect and Vice President-elect;
the immediate families of the above individuals;
former Presidents, their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse re-marries. In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former Presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the former President leaves office.
children of former presidents until age 16;
visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad;
major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general Presidential election.

[Wapsie B]

6. Thanks.

n/t

[Ediacara]

7. I assumed they already had them

Heck, Bill Bradley had SS detail in Feb/Mar 2000, so if Kerry doesn't already have it, he should.

[RummyTheDummy]

8. I think Bradley had it because he was the only other canidate in the race

That could be the case for Kerry if he continues to win. Im not worried about security. Frankly, the White House doesn't fear him enough to try something. They don't take him seriously, or any other dem for that matter.

That will be their biggest folly come November.

[jburton]

9. the 120 days number is for spouses

It's an awkward sentence structure, but the 120 days before election refers to the candidates spouses.

Major candidates are already elegible. It is based on a formula after New Hampshire, and Kerry definately qualifies.

John McCain qualified after NH in 2000, and that was after just one primary victory.

on edit:
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=71&content=255

[Edwards4President]

11. You're right

The major candidates get Secret Service protection after the first few primaries; their spouses are entitled to protection within six months of the general election.

Whether a candidate is "major" is determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and one additional member selected by the other members of the committee. This is usually done after the first few primaries.

http://prop1.org/legal/873290/880104.ex2.18usc.htm