Security Detail, no surprise.

I'm glad Obama has consistently taken the high road all throughout his campaign, but I'm not running for office, and I am not on his staff, so I am afforded the right to speak bluntly.
Hillary benefited from the sympathy vote (emotional showing on Mon), and the anti Obama vote. I have contended all along that Barak's best chance of getting in would be as VP, not because I don't think he is capable, or the best candidate, but because of the prejudice that still permeates the American landscape to this day.

Hillary won by the slightest of margins last night. Barak had a double digit lead in some polls until late. The women who sympathize with her emotional outbursts came out in droves, and I'm sure those who were upset/irate/scared that Barak may be running away with this thing made sure their voices were heard too.

Another reason I think he should take the back seat is because the country is mired in economic/political/ and various international crisis' right now, and becoming the first black President at this time can be a blessing or a curse, but I think it would be more of a curse unless he was able to fix "ALL" (not realistic) of what ails the country in his first term. The fallout would set back minority candidates for another 30 years.

Just check out his security detail already, this is unprecedented, yet this is not the first time we had a black candidate.... Just the first time we had one that has a "realistic" chance of winning. They won't admit whether or not he has had credible death threats, but they know something, otherwise, they wouldn't have given him such a large detail so quickly. You know the fanatics are getting their rifles ready as we speak. Sad but true.........

I think any continued success he has will further motivate the voting masses. Either way, this is a good thing for the country. More people voting, means the country is paying attention, and even if Hillary wins, she is head and shoulders, better than any GOP candidate, although I have a soft spot for R. Paul (but he'll never win the GOP nomination).

**From the NY Post 1/09/08 ** (below)

O-RING OF SECURITY FOR SURPRISE DEM
By DAPHNE RETTER Post Correspondent

January 9, 2008 --
WASHINGTON -
The Secret Service has dramatically increased the number of agents protecting Democratic front-runner Barack Obama since his victory in the Iowa caucuses.

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The size of Obama's security detail now rivals President Bush's, The Washington Times has reported. The agents also have been seen guarding against people with high sight lines to the Illinois senator and have asked viewers standing on chairs to step down.
No one will comment about whether death threats have been received, but there have been fears that Obama, as an African-American making a serious bid for the White House, could be a target.

Reporters on the campaign trail have at times noticed a dozen agents surrounding the Illinois Democrat at public appearances - many more than had been spotted before he emerged as the Democratic front-runner.

Obama on Monday told NBC's Brian Williams that he tries not to put a lot of thought into the need for the constant security presence around him, but "it's hard to pretend that you don't have big guys who are 'packing' around you at all time," Obama said. "I think that every presidential candidate, certainly every president these days, is a potential target."

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff assigned Obama a security detail back in May, giving the senator the distinction of having the earliest Secret Service protection ever for a presidential candidate. Federal officials and fellow senators said then that concern about chatter on racist Web sites was part of the reason for the unprecedented move.

Four years ago, Democratic presidential candidates John Edwards and John Kerry were given Secret Service protection after the New Hampshire primary. Hillary Clinton retains Secret Service protection as a former first lady.

Secret Service spokeswoman Kim Bruce said yesterday the protection afforded a candidate is carefully monitored and may be frequently adjusted. "We are constantly evaluating the security with all of our protectees - not just with Obama but also with Clinton," Bruce said.
Congress provided $85 million for protection of presidential candidates in fiscal 2008, but Bruce would not comment on whether assessments of Obama's security needs would force the Secret Service to request more funding.

The Secret Service began protecting presidential candidates 40 years ago after Robert Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan as the New York Democratic senator was leaving a Los Angeles campaign appearance.

Additional reporting by Charles Hurt in Manchester, NH
daphne.retter@nypost.com