Michael D. Shear, The Washington Post, November 18, 2007
John McCain often says on the campaign trail that he wants to take on the system in Washington. Usually, he’s talking about congressional spending and pork-barrel projects. But he also wants to challenge the system of protection that forces presidents to live life in a bubble.
“It’s my intention, if we win this nomination, to reject Secret Service,” he said during one of his many conversations with reporters on his Straight Talk Express this weekend. “Why do I need it?”
He adds: “The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we’re driving in the motorcade and there’s a guy in a rooftop with a rifle, that they can stop that guy, then I’ll say fine. But the day they tell me, ‘well, we can’t guarantee it,’ then fine, I’ll take my chances.”
McCain rejected Secret Service protection in 2000, after winning the New Hampshire primary. But he wants to go further, rejecting the massive security apparatus should he become president.
“It’s the inconvenience,” McCain said. “It’s the inconvenience it causes people. It’s a waste of the taxpayers money. It’s just everything I don’t like.”
McCain:Calling all Libertarians!
Comment by Rainlander — November 18, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
We need to watch who he wants as veep very carefully.
Comment by greyhawk — November 19, 2007 @ 7:38 am