The Secret Service Legacy: Can they Protect Obama?

President McKinley falls prey to an assassin's bullet

One thing I have noticed when I talk to people about President-elect Barack Obama, is their fear for his safety. It seems like every person I talk to about the President-elect brings up that same fear. I must admit, I have had the same worries. As most people no doubt remember, the last President we lost to an assassin’s bullet was John F. Kennedy. Unfortunately, many people relate Obama’s vivacity and charisma to one JFK. So it is not too unreasonable that people worry that Obama will share Kennedy’s fate.

As many may have heard during the campaign, there was a plot to assassinate Barack Obama. This was a very rudimentary plan, that had little chance of success. But, it brings up a very important point, Barack Obama is in much more danger because of who he is and what he is. As the first African American President, there are many Americans who hate Barack Obama. As far as we’ve come in this country, racism is still very much a violent threat. So, all this fuss begs the question, if someone wanted to enough, could they assassinate the President in this day and age?

As some may remember in March 1981, John Hinckley shot President Reagan and inflicted life-threatening wounds. That was the last time the President came so close to mortal danger. A grenade was lobbed at President Bush (II) in 2005, but the grenade was a dud. These are the real threats that the Secret Service face every day guarding the new President-elect. One must ask, how is their track record since JFK?

Ever since that rifle bullet pierced President Kennedy’s head in the fall of 1963, the Secret Service has been impeccable in protecting the President’s life. The test of their legacy lies with Barack Obama. I’m sure I’m not the only American who realizes this. I do take comfort in knowing that he survived his campaign without any real threat coming to fruition. This is probably a combination of good reconaissance by the Secret Service, a watchful eye (or eyes), and plain dumb luck. To be sure, if the Secret Service fails in their mission to protect this President, I fear for the future of this country. This country needs Barack Obama right now, if something did happen, only chaos could follow such calamity. There is precedent of such rage, and that wasn’t even a beloved head of state. Joe Biden is many things, but he is no unifier; he is no Barack Obama.