I think it doesn't say much for the U.S., as a country, if this kind of thing keeps happening. We have no business telling anyone else how to run a country if we continue to be less than equal to all (even those running for the White House). God Bless and Help America [but not if threats, due to race, religion, other factors continue].

this funny, they say they received a threat, like what? How? I love getting my news from newspeak.

After the Democratic debate Obama lost all my support. He was the least competent candidate among the top 4. I think i'll go for Edwards now, cause Hillary also seems too political. But to Obama is still fairly popular, and I think that the security concerns are very credible and warranted. If Robert Kennedy hadn't been assessinated we would have a different country now.

How many racists are there in America?

A crazy person ran into my car on purpose last evening, on a busy highway, because he couldn't accept me having a bumper sticker reading "Out of Iraq Now". And he thought I was against the American way. What is our way these days?

I don't agree that Obama was the most incompetent amongst all four major candidates. In fact, i don't think any of them was incompetent at all. They all did pretty well especially considering how bad the format was. And saying that a candidate has lost your vote based on one debate is rather ridiculous and immature. You can't possibly be a very smart voter, EJ.

May God be with Obama.

Actually, all the other news sites say there was no specific threat....he just gets the protection because he's a major candidate and draws large crowds already (specific criteria is above)...also, it had nothing to do with race, I didn't see that mentioned anywhere in any story.

Although, because of his race-combined with his anti-war stance-I believe he is a very very brave man to run for president (are we forgetting great civil right leaders like MLK, JFK, and RFK?). I'm with Jim, may God be with Obama.... we desperatley need him in the White House.

It's probable that most presidential candidates get some sort of threats during their campaign; not just this election, but in just about every presidential race. Really no big story; just standard procedure put into place...Michael Chlanda, get a grip, man...and civil rights is probably one of the least important issues in this race, Cat...

Long ago when Barack started getting alot of the press about maybe running-I said "Someone is going to try to kill him"-he is liberal, popular, african-american and against the war. In other words, there are many people out there who would wish him dead. I'm glad he is being protected.

All I can say is "what ever" dems dont want to spend money to help our soldiers but they can spend money protecting bama...what ever

As a Black Women, I knew this was going to happen. Has any of the other Candidates besides a black man and white women had to take on protection. If he gets elected, someone will try to harm then we'll really see what kind of country we live in these days. In my opinion, this country is not ready for someone like Obama or Hillary Clinton. I may have a heart attack if either of the two are elected and I'm only 24 yrs old. Someone from the KKK or one of those groups will harm them. And I agree this country would be a better place if the Robert Kennedy were elected for President. May God be with both Hillary and Obama.

Glad you gave Sadie the information she is sorely lacking. Some times I wonder if people have two neurons to rub together to get a synapse.

Judy sounds like you need to rub yours together or maybe you just plain feel off mars

Thank you kindly Judy

It is a shame that things have not changed in America.

Four-hundred years after the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, and blacks (et al.) are still slaves to the system of oppression that fearful hate-mongers exhibited those hundreds of years ago. I hope that Her Majesty, the Queen, will express a few words in-kind that express the idiocy of the slave trade and its system that painted blacks as inferior to whites. This same system instilled a deep-seeded abhorrence that lives on today. It was instilled in fear and tyranny then, and the current threat to Senator Obama, carries on in the same fashion.

In closing, God Save the Queen, Elizabeth II, Queen of Jamaica by the grace of God and all the British Commonwealth.

After watching the candidates in action, I feel worried for this country. Hilary would have no problem creating an environment where dissent is brutally crushed. Barak never really stands a chance and John aka Mr. Karl Marx would like nothing more than to strip you of your wealth and hand it over to the lazy and worthless of course keeping all of his money.

Things look bad for 2008.

As I recall, polling data showed more Americans concerned with Romney being a Mormon than with Clinton being a woman or Obama being black.

Progress is slow, but it is 2007.

The Secret Service may save his life, but his bid for the presidency is set for failure.

Reply to Lorin:

Have you even considered there are people in genuine need of assistance in this country, i.e. the disabled (I am) or are you too busy watching your 60" plasma TV, or swimming in your pool watching Rush Limbaugh? I think if you and your family ever had to go through what my family and myself and countless other Americans had to go through for the last 5 yrs you might have a different perspective. And I am a 54 yr old white American who earned an upper middle class income until 2003 when some jerk with an oversize truck hit me at a red light while twice over the legal alcohol limit--seemed he had an appetite for fine red wines. While I don't wish that on anyone, it would be interesting to see where you would stand if put in our shoes for a few years. Try the food lines for awhile...We owe ALL Americans the basic necessities of life--you can afford a few more bucks a year I'm sure to do a lot of social good rather than call those less fortunate than you lazy and worthless. Speaking of worthless...

ABC News should apologize for it's negligence in reporting Obama's request for protection was, in part, because he is black. Senator Obama said no such thing as can be seen from his website and other, responsible, news organizations. The only specific reason cited was because of the large crowds the Senator is drawing across the nation. I was at the democratic rally in San Diego this past weekend and was amazed the Senator appeared to have no protection while moving in and out of the convention center. There were hundreds of supporters. I was requested to help lead a group of fellow supporters who had gathered outside with our signs into the building to hear him speak. There was no security guiding us, and it felt very awkward. Regarless of what anyone thinks of Obama or his politics the need for security and assistance with dealing with crowd control is evident.

"All I can say is "what ever" dems dont want to spend money to help our soldiers but they can spend money protecting bama...what ever"

The Democratic party had nothing to do with it--the non-political Secret Service made the call.

I think we as americans need to wake up and stop this partisan preaching that has torn our society apart. We are too busy arguing amongst ourselves to realize that we need to keep improving our society. Education is horrible, Healthcare is horrible, the environment is deteriorating every day. The only way we are going to truly advance is to find someone who is willing to fix these problems. No matter whether Barack was Black, White, republican, or Democrat, he stands for things far greater than our current president ever has. Our current president was hell bent on finishing what his daddy started in Iraq years ago and his own personal adgendas. Why the majority of the country allowed him into office for a second term is perplexing to say the least. Republicans need to realize that there is not one decent candidate running from the right this election, and democrats need to awaken to the facts that Hilary and John Edwards are career politicians who cant be trusted to truly better our society. Barack Obama is not tarnished by years in office, he is fresh, he is an idealist, he is charismatic and has amazing virtues.

This seems like a re-run from Season One of 24... I guess if David Palmer had Secret Service, then why not Obama? I find it humorous that people can find so many nit-picking things to complain about the candidates (expensive haircuts, SS expenses, etc) that you all lose focus on whats important. Returning our Country to Glory. No matter who wins, I want the pride back in this country and not just when a flag is at half-mast because of a befallen tragedy. Forget the pettiness and minor trivial pursuits.

Whoever speaks to the need to fight corruption will be dead before the words echo off the nearest wall. None of them has, dem or pub. I'd immediately vote for that person, even though they would be dead by election day.

Nice political move. Make the candidate appear to be more than the candidate actually is which makes news for the candidate that elevates the candidate.

First things first. Obama smoked the other candidates in either debate. At least he gave answers that were both multi-syllabic and multi-conceptual. In other words, his answers were thoughtful.
Secondly, of course give him security. Give all of the candidates security. This is America.

We know he's going to be president. However, all candidates should receive some form of security, even if not from the Secret Service. With individuals out there that have their own agenda or are willing to gain attention through the murder of a political figure, then of course, security must be provided, especially for Mr. Obama and even Ms. Clinton. I am glad to know that consideration for a candidate's safety is now a great concern. Let's help prevent tragedies from happening.

Why does everything have to come down to race? I wouldn't vote for Obama if he were a white man and I wouldn't vote for Hillary if she were a man! Both have gutter morals. Anyone willing to abort a child because they feel they are not human didn't learn much from our history of slavery when people felt blacks were not human!

to josh:

your comments are insightful, geniune and articulated very well. this country definitely needs new direction. direction from someone who is above reproach. of all the candidates both dem and pub, obama appears to be that person. does he need security? of course he does! the history of this violent country clearly speaks for itself!

God Bless us all!!

If he wants security, he should provide his own. These so called LEADERS are screwing the public in more than one way. If they want to be BIG SHOTS, let them dig in to their own pockets. None are worth anything.

Capt Robert, why should US senators who are running for the highest office, provide for their own security? Read the 1st part of the Secret Service's Mission Statement:

The Secret Service protects the president and vice president, their families, heads of state, and other designated individuals; investigates threats against these protectees; protects the White House, vice president’s residence, foreign missions, and other buildings within Washington, D.C.; and plans and implements security designs for designated National Special Security Events.

Clear enough for ya', skipper?

Far too many Americans foolishly beieve that we do not have racial stife anymore. Unfortunately the greatest nation on earth still has signficant racial and class issues, some remain overt and a very large number have become systemic.

Some examples endured by minorities today include: higher unemployment rate, more homelessness, higher number in poverty, excessive foreclosures, higher percentage of convictions/prison time, continued job discrimination and unfair college entrance problems.

No matter, I still love America because she provides the best hope of any other nation.

Bill Pollard, Lt Col, USAF Retired

Sarah:

Some of us vote on more than one issue, as I am pro-life yet vote Democrat.

The reason is this: The Democrats will help the social programs (financial aide for single mothers, adoption agencies, drug rehabs, child protection services, gov. childrens nutrition programs) that will help take care of these unwanted children when they are born to irresponsible people who don't want them. The GOP, with their "no social spending" attitiude gives no money to any of these now suffering programs. Do they REALLY care about these babies, or is just the talking points they like?

The Secret Service is awesome.

Dems and Repubs are the reason we have the problems in the USA/NAU now.

God bless obama. With God's grace he will be the next president of the united states. Love him or hate him, don't you just LOVE hime

Plus, if Obama receives special protection from the secret service, so should all the other candidates, cause I gaurantee that all the other candidates have received some sort of hate mail and threats, etc. But Obama's the minority! I smell reverse racism. I wish the world was color-blind.

Obama rocks! stop all the hating you'll! he is going to be our next presisdent! So why not protect him now?!

Puhleeeeaaaazzzzeee! Let us not waste tax payer dollars on this guy. He has only been a Jr. Senator for 2 years. Let's save some other lives first before considering even giving Obama protection. Let him prove himself first!

So, we claim to bring peace to Iraq, that we are trying to prevent genocide in the Sudan (yeah right--not as long as they sit on one of largest oil caches in the world), that we won't buy conflict diamonds, and that racism is dead in America. When will the intelligent people of this country wake up and smell the hypocrisy. The old saying that charity begins at home is still true. I we can't have a so-called minority run for office without feat of injury or worst, what right do we have to tell another country that they need to become a democracy. Let's clean up our own backyard first. Become one family, black, white and otherwise then we can honestly hold ourselves up as a moral example.

I think that ABCNews.com should follow the lead of cbsnews.com and not enable comments about Obama stories. These comments can be very racist. Last week, someone posted here that if Obama won the election he would consider American the Planet of the Apes. I was shocked that the comments were not take off.

ABC, stop giving Obama haters a forum for their racist rants!

this is why my father always said to me, never go into politics or religion as a profession or a discussion, because no matter what you say or do you will have idiots like all the neocons and haters out there spewing venom. all these people who like to write and say bad things about people...never sign their names to their comments, why, cause they just love wearing white sheets, and shouting, just like little dogs, well you know what I do when little dogs don't shut up? I roll up the news papper and wack them on the nose, so to all you little dogs yapping out there...WACK!! WACK!!

I am Southern, White and republican. but, I certainly respect Se, Obama for running for Preident of this country. If you read today's front page some college student already apparently had plans to "off" Hillary maybe today on her visit to Baton Rouge. In today's CRAZED and dangerous World,all of these major candidates probably deserve the protection of the secret service, etc. Can you imagine another Bobby Kennedy. although I will probably not vote for Barack Obama God Bless him for his efforts and the support he has garnered. it's just another example of the great free land we live in. Let's keep it that way!

Who pay's for this secret service protection - each candidate, or us, the American people, disguised as "our government"? If the individual pays, then I say "Go for it, it's your money." If I'm paying for it, then I have a problem with that: First of all I was never asked if I wanted to pay to protect people who chose to announce their candidacy almost TWO FULL YEARS before the actual election. Secondly, there are Katrina victims who, despite Bush telling them "they have not been forgotten almost TWO FULL YEARS later, that have yet to receive the help that was promised. So back to my original question: who's paying? If it is the candidates, then pardon my tirade.

I agree that he needs protection. People are stupid. Stupid people in large groups, do stupid things. Like shooting people.

(or it could be one very smart man gone crazy)

I do however think that at this cost - they should be proving protection for everyone on the trail, even if some people may not have quite as large a detail as others.

I'll probably just vote for Mr. Obama because he's different. Not race wise, but idea wise.

I THINK OBAMA MAY BE THE ANTI CHRIST,HE IS CHARASMATIC, GOOD LOOKING,SEEMS TO HAVE ALL THE RIGHT ANSWERS,AND THE MOST UNLIKELY PEOPLE LIKE HIM.

What the hell does black/woman matter when we let the biggest spender buy the country anyway. We should have learned when daddy got junior a new present.

I can't understand how race can be an issue in this campaign? Afterall lets not forget that Mr. Obama IS half white! Politicians, actors, etc. who are racially mixed tend to call themselves "Afro-American", and tend to FORGET their white (or other) roots. Halle Berry is a perfect example when she accepted, and won her Oscar it was all about being the first "Afro-American" woman to "win" an Oscar. Funny how these folks "flip-flop" when they are trying to gain something such as votes, and approval from certain ethnic groups, i.e., I can be Black, or White for whichever suits the occaision, and "what I'm trying to gain, and get mentality!

I really do not think that Obama would make a a good president. No experince,no knowledge and more importanly he will bring about racial tension again in this country. He is liked by some women due to his looks and not his inteligence!

I have also had concerns about Barack Obama's safety, as I witnessed (on TV) the assasinations of JFK and his brother Bobby ('68)and MLK, and know how quickly it can happen. I plan to mentally pray for Barack Obama every time a fear thought comes to mind, and thank God for his safe protection. It is something I and anyone else who is concerned can do the same.

This is a wakeup call
for why we should protect Barack

From Parade magazine interview the reporter asks Bhutto, "What would you like to tell President Bush?" I ask this
riddle of a woman. She would tell him, she replies, that propping up Musharraf's government, which is infested with radical Islamists, is only hastening disaster. "I would say, 'Your policy of supporting dictatorship is breaking up my country.' I now think al-Qaeda can be marching on Islamabad in two to four years."

You know that Barack will defend democracy around the world. Even in his native Kenya he is said the only one who has enough clout to bring the 2 sides together in a power sharing deal.

Leaders that walk with the people that believe we are only as strong as our weakest link with high moral charector and principles should be guarded by Angels.

Can we ask ourselves, what is our bottom line when commenting on this? thanks to everyone who offered some facts to put this story in perspective. Reguardless of your opinion, when we all the money is given to campaigns, and all the delegates, and eventually votes(despite my reservations due many family members turned away in florida in recent history)the democratic process happened, and we deal with the issues with what we have. Go ahead and call me naive, however i gotta be open to the possibility that this process works sometimes lol.

Being a Black woman I have several options to make about who I want my president to be. Personally i would perfer Barrack Obama. Becasue as much as i am for supporting womens rights. Hilary is to much of a house wife an might crack under the pressure. So when a stronger women runs for president them my votes women until then I'm going to stick with Obama because I am proud a strong black man could run this country

obama, obama. nothing special about the man apart from his guts. it takes a lot i tell you. but Mcain has got this presidency. americans are still too afraid of everything black, everything muslim, everything not masculine, everything not liberal. America is headed for the rocks anyway. I pity Obama. He's just the same old American story, only his are on the black pages. many of us nigerians dislike him for the silly remarks he made about Nigeria, and Israel's right to defend herself. SAD!