Last month's amateur plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has raised awareness of safety concerns for the high profile candidate.
The increasingly angry rhetoric of the campaign's final weeks, and a rise in hate groups make things potentially more volatile, said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala.
"Barack Obama is a black man and this country has a history of racial violence," he said in a telephone interview. "It's still alive and well to some degree."
He said such concerns probably prompted Mr. Obama getting Secret Service protection more than 18 months ago, well ahead of other presidential candidates.
Jim Mackin, a Secret Service agent in Washington said in a phone interview "the historic nature of this campaign is not lost on us."
"We've seen unprecedented crowds at sites, so we're providing him with the best possible protection," Agent Mackin said. "We certainly aren't taking any chances."
If elected president, Mr. Obama would receive the same level of protection he currently receives, Agent Mackin said.
He would not provide details on how many men guard Mr. Obama, but said with or without threats to Mr. Obama's life, the Secret Service is always at a heightened state of alert.
That level of protection could be necessary, Mr. Potok said. He predicts the attention of many white supremacist groups, which have focused on illegal immigration of Hispanics in recent years, will shift focus toward an Obama presidency.
The Intelligence Project, which monitors and investigates hate groups, reports a 48 percent growth in white supremacists groups between 2000 and 2007, growing from 602 to 888.
Mr. Potok said he expects growth in those hate groups if Mr. Obama wins Tuesday.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Augustans voting early last week weigh in on whether they fear for Mr. Obama's safety after the recent plot to assassinate him was revealed last week.
"It's always been at the forefront of my mind. But people's attitudes are flaring up more as the election comes to an end, so it's more apparent."
-- Gilbert Holland
"There's a bad apple in every group, but I don't think they're going to do as much as they think they're going to do. He has Secret Service, and we just have to pray for him."
-- Chawnette Boyd
"I thought about that before it happened. I think they'll have to have an unprecedented level of security, since he's the first African-American running this close."
-- Jesus Sostre
"When that happened, it didn't surprise me, it's still a lot of racism in the United States. I think the most we can do is pray for those hate groups."
-- Shirley Smallwood
Comments
The Obama campaign has been about race and threats of riots since it began. Two years of preaching that if Obama loses it will be about race. Now some wacky duo driving around in a car with swastikas painted on it are supposed to be a skin head hit squad? Every candidate and every elected official are in danger of being assassinated, according to JFK, RFK and Ronald Reagan.
PT, Obama has never suggested that if he loses, it will be about race. That's entirely the construction of people like you, who project your own unacknowledged racism onto the very group you are bigoted toward. Anyway, the racially charged atmosphere in this campaign's final month is completely attributable to McCain's campaign, especially Palin, who is the attack dog in that duo and the patron saint of the low information voter. Obama has tried to lift people up, while his opponents have resorted to fear-mongering. Why are you people so afraid to have someone intelligent and competent in the White House?
midwest, we're not. Know any Democrats that fit that description? I certainly hope that Senator Obama will be safe. I detest all hate groups. No one in a free socity should ever have to live in fear. That's why I'm starting a petition to get Bama & UF off the UGA schedule.
Funny I've listened pretty close to McCain, Pallin, Obama, or Biden and do not remember them saying anything racial. In fact one time someone said something very negative at a McCain rally and McCain was quick to rebuke the individual. Most all of the racial things I've heard has come from the news media. I was shocked yesterday when NPR Radio announced they were going to interview David Duke. Why would anyone give fool air time? Any person who claims to be a Christian and is prejudice against any race isn't really a Christian. Now is the time for Christians to pray for the safety whoever becomes president. With this racially charged political campaign, created by the news media and special interest groups, I fear for their safety.
Racial hate is alive and well and it is reflected each day on this site. So no one is really surprised by the death threats Senator Obama has had to endure during this race. But, he and others like him have chosen to minimize the idea of an assassination and go on with the things that are important to them. To paraphrase something Martin Luther King said many years ago in one of his speeches... there has to be something (some cause) that you would be willing to die for...I know what that cause is for me, I can only assume that Obama knows what that cause is for him.The betterment of this country for one's children and the right to be whatever you choose to be in this country...I for one can think of no higher calling. So it was with that in mind that I disregarded the viciousness of this campaign and stood in line to cast my vote for the person I felt should be president of the United States of America...nothing but death could have kept me from it.
mwt, you and TruckinRanger make my point every time you post.
To tell you the truth, I am more worried about my family's well being if he is elected POTUS. I am sure Farrakhan's army will protect the Obama's..........
As we all know there has been many idiots out there trying to assassinate important people, including some of our Presidents. It is not just now. Hate groups, whether white, black or purple should not be tolerated. I do not question Obama's color, I question his character and his judgement and worry about the affect of having radical mentors throughout his life. I also don't consider Obama as being black, as he is more white and Arab than anything else.
I agree with reality, more afraid for the rest of us, you didn't vote for him, when he is probably elected. the rest of you are going to deserve their medicine. the perfect storm came and obama will probably rain, all because of iraq. Obama is even going to claim success thats already happening there now, when we mostly leave in a year.
poor patriciathomas just cannot accept that this country is moving on past race. Her single most hope is to see riots in this country so she can be proven right. Unfortunately, she listens too much to right-wing propoganda radio. People are voting with their brains patriciathomas, not out of right-wing hate and fear tactics. You can't hide 8 years of failure.
Ya'll need some fresh bait, that stuff is too old!
In this report the Chronicle should have stated it's more white people or white geared groups with hate towards Obama, that's a fact. So many of them just HATE, and just can't stand the fact that he will possibly be President. In fact everyday posters here as subtle as some try to be, for the most part are cyber racist and will never show their faces or actually stand up for what they believe in openly. Augusta WREAKS of it, another reason why this city is backwards.
Now that we are about to elect a street hustler to be president of this country, it is the safety of The United States that should be of grave concern to every intelligent citizen.
EXTRA ! EXTRA ! Fresh bait available Nov 5th
What about all of the victims of the looting and rioting that is surely to follow the election, win, lose or draw..............
Trukinranger: Let's be fair about racisim. There is plenty of it on BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. Your ignorance is certainly showing this morning. To blame only one group regarding racism is not only ignorant, but plain stupid. There are many who do not like Obama for obvious reasons...he definitely cannot lead this nation. I don't agree with plots to do harm to another, but there are some who will; unfortunately, that has become a fact of life. If it were not so, we would not have the crime rate that we have been experiencing over the last 10 years. So put a lid on it--if you hate racism so much, then stop promoting it with ignorant remarks.
Reality I hope you are right. Hope our creator protect us all.
what the hell do yall mean by freshbait? The race issue is still a problem in this country. What rock have you guys been up under. I pray for the safety of Obama and his family as he improves the country.
funny subject, the slanted, biatch Meredith on the today morning show asking Mit Romney if McCain's ads showed high integrity. Pot calling the kettle black......oops can i use that color?
Mable8; Obama will lead this nation!!For better or worse. it is time for a change!!Putting McCain in office is not change, it is the same old thing.Change is seeing a new face! Change is seeing a diffrent race! Change is having hope that you have never had before !Change is having more people registerd to vote in the history of voting!Obama will be good for a change!!!!!And may God bless and keep Obama safe from all harm!!!!
Rusty Metal the biatch comment may have been to much.
Hole On!!!!! If I vote for McCain because he is white...then I'm a racist.....If 98% of the black population vote for Obama because he is black...then that is racial pride.....is there a difference???
I'm for the same old thing.
Why do you think the presidents surround themselves with body guards. They are all in danger of assassination and---several killed while in office. And..they were ALL white Now some idiot wants us to think that Obama is in more danger than other candidates? When you're dead you're dead no matter you skin color.
its funny how people take a person that is 7% black and mostly Arab and then give him the title of black american that is running for president. I guess thats close to black that they can get as it is with Tiger Woods.
OMG DALE88FAN I cant believe you said that. Tigers dad who is by the way the dominant trait is black. He grew up with the same struggles as most blacks would trying to play golf early on in his childhood. Whites didnt like him either. So if he isnt black than why was he hated on by WHITES. Obama got a black wife, black kids and no white man aint gone make no little black kids that chocolate. So the dominant trait makes him black IDIOT. GET A EDUCATION
dale, that's not funny, it's optics. It has nothing to do with race, it's skin color and physical characteristics. It's also them against us, you know, like a sporting event. Then there's the "you pick on me" thing that has to be mixed in.
Change???? Obama wants to dismantle the Constitution; he wants to rob the rich to pay the poor; he loves his associates who murder innocent people (people did die when Ayers set off his bombs and his wife, who did the same, went to prison--but not long enough); and he plans to bankrupt the coal industry which will cause utility bills to skyrocket. And, by the way, that video of his "speech" in January 2008 was shown on the news last night. If you want that kind of change, you are very foolish indeed. I don't consider that repertoire "hope," but I do consider it ANTI-AMERICAN. A vote for Obama is a vote to he##.
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