(CBS) CBS News has confirmed that presumptive GOP nominee John McCain plans to take on Secret Service protection beginning next week.
As the Washington Post reported today, McCain had not previously requested such protection. The two contenders for the Democratic nomination, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, presently have "round-the-clock" Secret Service protection. Obama requested protection last year, and Clinton is afforded it as a former first lady.
Under federal law, presidential candidates can request protection if they meet standards related to their public prominence.The Arizona senator said he had previously been unenthusiastic about having a Secret Service detail because it complicated efforts to have close contact with voters.
As the Post notes, McCain travels with private bodyguards and employs private security staff to screen reporters and staffers on charter planes. But McCain's security "pales in comparison" to that provided to Clinton and Obama.
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