RFK Jr amasses $1.4 mil debt for private security

[Redban]

He has to spend his own money for private security because the Biden admin won’t grant him secret service protection. Haley had security service protection, which she received after one application. Ben Carson in the fall of 2015 got secret service. But RFK Jr has been denied 5 times

 how is this act not corrupt, sleazy, and unfair? To run for president requires security, and private security requires millions. So by denying RFK Jr secret service, Biden’s admin is basically sending the message that a person who wants to run for president must have millions set aside for their private security? Is that behavior appropriate for the party that claims to champion the poor and middle class?

In addition- there is the obvious corruption in the act of forcing your political rival to spend millions on private security, as Biden benefits from his rival’s having less money.

[emailking]

This is your RFK stooge day of the week I think. Tomorrow might be back to Trump stooge I guess.

[wbrocks67]

Comparing Nikki Haley to RFK is not an applicable comparison

[Yelnoc]

Comparing Nikki Haley to RFK is not an applicable comparison

Right, Haley would not be polling anywhere near RFK's numbers in a 3 way race w/ Trump & Biden.

[wbrocks67]

Comparing Nikki Haley to RFK is not an applicable comparison

Right, Haley would not be polling anywhere near RFK's numbers in a 3 way race w/ Trump & Biden.

Nikki Haley was a major candidate running for a major party. RFK doesn't even know what party line he's running for. They're clearly not the same thing.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Historically, only "major candidates" are given secret service protection. RFK is not a major candidate. Haley likely received secret service protection because she was running against Trump, whose supporters have a history of violence. The threat against her was unique.

[Redban]

Historically, only "major candidates" are given secret service protection. RFK is not a major candidate. Haley likely received secret service protection because she was running against Trump, whose supporters have a history of violence. The threat against her was unique.

RFK Jr is a major candidate. He is averaging 15% in three way race, and he has raised $28 million since his campaign began

But even dismissing that — people need to spend money to become a major candidate, and purchasing private security costs more money than most people have (ie millions).. So you get a catch 22, by your claim. You need to become a “major candidate” to get secret service protection, but the road to becoming a “major candidate” is impossible for many people without secret service protection. What if RFK Jr didn’t have the money to hire his own security? His campaign has to end cause Biden didn’t want to give him protection?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Historically, only "major candidates" are given secret service protection. RFK is not a major candidate. Haley likely received secret service protection because she was running against Trump, whose supporters have a history of violence. The threat against her was unique.

RFK Jr is a major candidate. He is averaging 15% in three way race, and he has raised $28 million since his campaign began

But even dismissing that — people need to spend money to become a major candidate, and purchasing private security costs more money than most people have (ie millions).. So you get a catch 22, by your claim. You need to become a “major candidate” to get secret service protection, but the road to becoming a “major candidate” is impossible for many people without secret service protection. What if RFK Jr didn’t have the money to hire his own security? His campaign has to end cause Biden didn’t want to give him protection?

RFK is polling at 11.2% in the RCP average, and he has yet to make the ballot in all 50 states. He is not a major candidate. In fact, it would be unprecedented for him to receive secret service protection right now. This isn't some conspiracy by Biden to hurt RFK.

[Redban]

Historically, only "major candidates" are given secret service protection. RFK is not a major candidate. Haley likely received secret service protection because she was running against Trump, whose supporters have a history of violence. The threat against her was unique.

RFK Jr is a major candidate. He is averaging 15% in three way race, and he has raised $28 million since his campaign began

But even dismissing that — people need to spend money to become a major candidate, and purchasing private security costs more money than most people have (ie millions).. So you get a catch 22, by your claim. You need to become a “major candidate” to get secret service protection, but the road to becoming a “major candidate” is impossible for many people without secret service protection. What if RFK Jr didn’t have the money to hire his own security? His campaign has to end cause Biden didn’t want to give him protection?

RFK is polling at 11.2% in the RCP average, and he has yet to make the ballot in all 50 states. He is not a major candidate. In fact, it would be unprecedented for him to receive secret service protection right now. This isn't some conspiracy by Biden to hurt RFK.

15% in RCP in the three  way

https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-biden-vs-kennedy

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Historically, only "major candidates" are given secret service protection. RFK is not a major candidate. Haley likely received secret service protection because she was running against Trump, whose supporters have a history of violence. The threat against her was unique.

RFK Jr is a major candidate. He is averaging 15% in three way race, and he has raised $28 million since his campaign began

But even dismissing that — people need to spend money to become a major candidate, and purchasing private security costs more money than most people have (ie millions).. So you get a catch 22, by your claim. You need to become a “major candidate” to get secret service protection, but the road to becoming a “major candidate” is impossible for many people without secret service protection. What if RFK Jr didn’t have the money to hire his own security? His campaign has to end cause Biden didn’t want to give him protection?

RFK is polling at 11.2% in the RCP average, and he has yet to make the ballot in all 50 states. He is not a major candidate. In fact, it would be unprecedented for him to receive secret service protection right now. This isn't some conspiracy by Biden to hurt RFK.

15% in RCP in the three  way

https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-biden-vs-kennedy

https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-biden-vs-kennedy-vs-west-vs-stein

11.2% in a 5 way. Do those other declared candidates not count?

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

In what I'm sure will be a shock to MAGATs, there's actually law, formal process, and guidance from the Secret Service that determines what candidates receive secret service protection. (And nowhere does it say, "because a dropout from the Democratic Primary whines a lot in public", much as I understand whining is incredibly popular with MAGATs.)

Since this is from a government website, I'll quote it at length:

Under 18 U.S.C.' 3056(a)(7), "[m]ajor Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates," as identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security, are eligible for Secret Service protection.

Title 18 U.S.C.' 3056(a)(7) authorizes the U.S. Secret Service to provide protection for major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates:

    Protection is authorized by the DHS Secretary after consultation with the Congressional Advisory Committee;

    The Congressional Advisory Committee includes: Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and one additional member selected by the others;

    Protection under these guidelines should only be granted within one year prior to the general election. Protection more than one year prior to the general election should only be granted in extraordinary, case by case circumstances in consultation with the committee, based on threat assessment and other factors.

Criteria have been established to assist the DHS Secretary and the advisory committee in their decision making (as of 2017).

When determining whether a candidate for the Office of President or Vice President of the United States qualifies as a major candidate, the Secretary has broad discretion and may consider a variety of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:

    Whether the candidate has publicly announced his or her candidacy and has filed the appropriate documentation with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and is in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, and related laws;

    Whether the candidate is actively campaigning on a national basis for the office for which his or her candidacy has been announced, as demonstrated by operating a national campaign apparatus, regularly appearing at public events in multiple states, producing and publishing campaign advertisements, and other similar indicia of a campaign;

    A threat assessment conducted by the Secret Service of general or specific threats directed towards the candidate (for these purposes, “threats” should be defined as explicit threats of bodily harm to the candidate or indications of inappropriate behavior towards the candidate suggesting potential bodily harm);

    Whether, during and within an active and competitive major party primary, the most recent average of established national polls, as reflected by the Real Clear Politics National Average or similar mechanism, the candidate is polling at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days;

    Whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for President or Vice President;

    Whether the candidate is an independent or third-party candidate for President polling at 20% or more of the Real Clear Politics National Average for 30 consecutive days;

Kennedy doesn't qualify based on the existing guidelines. If MAGATs really think he needs Secret Service protection, they should tell their leaders Mike Johnson and Moscow Mitch, who can act on those concerns (including making them public, should they deem it necessary).

[DrScholl]

He doesn't need security because the risk of someone trying to harm him is very low.

[DavidB.]

In what I'm sure will be a shock to MAGATs, there's actually law, formal process, and guidance from the Secret Service that determines what candidates receive secret service protection. (And nowhere does it say, "because a dropout from the Democratic Primary whines a lot in public", much as I understand whining is incredibly popular with MAGATs.)

(...)

Kennedy doesn't qualify based on the existing guidelines. If MAGATs really think he needs Secret Service protection, they should tell their leaders Mike Johnson and Moscow Mitch, who can act on those concerns (including making them public, should they deem it necessary).

But it looks like these requirements are too high. The extent to which the U.S. system builds barriers for candidates who do not belong to the two major parties is pretty problematic from a democratic perspective - not just in this regard, but also when it comes to ballot access.

[Redban]

He doesn't need security because the risk of someone trying to harm him is very low.

He comes from a family where multiple people have been assassinated, and there have been stalkers arrested multiple times at his residence since he began his campaign: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trespasser-arrested-twice-rfk-jr-home-same-day

[DrScholl]

He doesn't need security because the risk of someone trying to harm him is very low.

He comes from a family where multiple people have been assassinated, and there have been stalkers arrested multiple times at his residence since he began his campaign: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trespasser-arrested-twice-rfk-jr-home-same-day

People who actually had high positions. He doesn't hold the stature his father or uncle held. Regardless the rules are the rules and he doesn't even meet the qualifications for security.

[Senator Incitatus]

Kennedy should sue the Secret Service for vindication.

[emailking]

I actually think he probably should get SS protection.

However, I think this is the 2nd thread you've made it and I don't know why you're so concerned about it.

[PSOL]

SS protection should be optional and widely available to most candidates. The rules should be lowered drastically.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

He was a DeSantis supporter, then a Haley supporters and now an RFK supporter

[Eraserhead]

Prediction: RFK Jr. won't beat Ralph Nader's 2.74% from the 2000 election.

[Redban]

Kennedy's team sends fiery letter to DHS, hinting that they may "commence an action."

As noted before - Ben Carson in 2015 got Secret Service protection, as did Haley this year. But this letter says that Rick Santorum in 2012 got Secret Service protection too. Was Santorum 2012 really more fit for secret service than RFK Jr now?

https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1775566812257677639

[emailking]

I think he should probably get the protection but I don't know that he has much a legal case for it.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Kennedy's team sends fiery letter to DHS, hinting that they may "commence an action."

As noted before - Ben Carson in 2015 got Secret Service protection, as did Haley this year. But this letter says that Rick Santorum in 2012 got Secret Service protection too. Was Santorum 2012 really more fit for secret service than RFK Jr now?

<xit nuked for formatting>

To repeat part of what I quoted upthread:

Whether, during and within an active and competitive major party primary, the most recent average of established national polls, as reflected by the Real Clear Politics National Average or similar mechanism, the candidate is polling at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days;

    Whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for President or Vice President;

    Whether the candidate is an independent or third-party candidate for President polling at 20% or more of the Real Clear Politics National Average for 30 consecutive day

In 2012, Santorum was polling well over 15% from January through April. Similarly, Carson was polling right behind Trump for much of 2015.

Kennedy, after bailing on the Democratic Primary he seemed unlikely to win, is running as an independent and has trouble breaking 10%.

Even if I didn't despise their vile politics, one of the right's most disgusting traits is the endless aggrieved whining when they have to follow the same rules everyone else does. 

[Redban]

Kennedy's team sends fiery letter to DHS, hinting that they may "commence an action."

As noted before - Ben Carson in 2015 got Secret Service protection, as did Haley this year. But this letter says that Rick Santorum in 2012 got Secret Service protection too. Was Santorum 2012 really more fit for secret service than RFK Jr now?

<xit nuked for formatting>

To repeat part of what I quoted upthread:

Whether, during and within an active and competitive major party primary, the most recent average of established national polls, as reflected by the Real Clear Politics National Average or similar mechanism, the candidate is polling at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days;

    Whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for President or Vice President;

    Whether the candidate is an independent or third-party candidate for President polling at 20% or more of the Real Clear Politics National Average for 30 consecutive day

In 2012, Santorum was polling well over 15% from January through April. Similarly, Carson was polling right behind Trump for much of 2015.

Kennedy, after bailing on the Democratic Primary he seemed unlikely to win, is running as an independent and has trouble breaking 10%.

Even if I didn't despise their vile politics, one of the right's most disgusting traits is the endless aggrieved whining when they have to follow the same rules everyone else does.  

Your own quote says, "the Secretary has broad discretion and may consider a variety of factors." The 15-20% polling figures (and all the other 'requirements' listed) are just guides, not hard rules or benchmarks that candidates must meet. Mayorkas can use his discretion as he sees fit.

He can consider, for example, whether 15-20% is too stringent; whether the cost of private security is too much to ask for RFK Jr to cover with his own money; and the multiple incidents in which people have made attempts on RFK Jr since he announced his candidacy

[oldtimer]

Kennedy's team sends fiery letter to DHS, hinting that they may "commence an action."

As noted before - Ben Carson in 2015 got Secret Service protection, as did Haley this year. But this letter says that Rick Santorum in 2012 got Secret Service protection too. Was Santorum 2012 really more fit for secret service than RFK Jr now?

<xit nuked for formatting>

To repeat part of what I quoted upthread:

Whether, during and within an active and competitive major party primary, the most recent average of established national polls, as reflected by the Real Clear Politics National Average or similar mechanism, the candidate is polling at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days;

    Whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for President or Vice President;

    Whether the candidate is an independent or third-party candidate for President polling at 20% or more of the Real Clear Politics National Average for 30 consecutive day

In 2012, Santorum was polling well over 15% from January through April. Similarly, Carson was polling right behind Trump for much of 2015.

Kennedy, after bailing on the Democratic Primary he seemed unlikely to win, is running as an independent and has trouble breaking 10%.

Even if I didn't despise their vile politics, one of the right's most disgusting traits is the endless aggrieved whining when they have to follow the same rules everyone else does. 

I agree that what Kennedy has been doing has been non-sensical.

He had serious hopes of winning the NH primary or at least making a more serious effort than the also-rans.

Then he bailed to not even get the Libertarian nomination, and is getting upstaged by someone who sounds like Mars Laps-instead from the planet Xena.