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WASHINGTON - The US Secret Service today began protecting US Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat running for president, at his request, officials said.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff authorised the additional security protection for Obama of Illinois and "the Secret Service is now implementing that protection," said Eric Zahren, a Secret Service spokesman.
"We're not going to discuss ... any of the deliberations or assessments that went into making that decision," he said.
Obama, who has served only two years in the US Senate and eight years in the Illinois state Senate, is seeking to become the first black president.
The US Secret Service provides security for the president and other top administration officials. It routinely provides security for the nominee from each political party.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesman said Obama had requested the Secret Service protection.
"There are criteria that we use for our own assessment and based upon that decision-making process, the secretary has authorised Secret Service to protect Barack Obama," Russ Knocke said.
- REUTERS
