Santorum in Discussions to Receive Secret Service Protection - East Idaho News
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Santorum in Discussions to Receive Secret Service Protection

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GETTY P 060611 RickSantorumSpeaking?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1329297759144Steve Pope/Getty Images(BOISE, Idaho) — Rick Santorum said Tuesday evening “for the sake” of his family he is in talks to possibly acquire Secret Service protection.

“We are talking about that right now,” Santorum told reporters in Boise, Idaho, before referring to events that transpired the night before.  “It’s unfortunate that we are in that situation where folks can get a little rowdy and sometimes a little violent and so it’s sort of a sad state of affairs.  I’ve been driving around most of this campaign in a truck with one other person, but we are in a different phase and obviously just for the sake of my family that we have to consider so we are in that discussion right now.”

On Monday night, a rally in Tacoma, Wash., got rowdy when about a dozen Occupy Tacoma protesters tried to shout over the candidate.  The protesters got into a scuffle with Santorum supporters and Tacoma Police dragged out and cuffed two of the Occupiers, but left the rest of the group there alone as they continued to try and shout over Santorum.

After the event, another protester was arrested after she directly glitter bombed Santorum — an act typically motivated by the targets’ opposition to same-sex marriage.  It was at least the sixth time Santorum has been doused with glitter at an event, but Monday evening was probably the most direct hit.

Protocol for a candidate to receive Secret Service protection is that the campaign must first make a formal request with the Department of Homeland Security — unless there is a specific threat — then the request goes to Senate leadership and the Senate Sergeant at Arms, who reviews the request and makes a decision whether to offer the protection or not.

Mitt Romney received Secret Service protection two weeks ago.  Santorum currently employs private security.

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