Presidential Protection

Report Outline
Concern Over 1976 Campaign Risks
Events Involving Past Assassinations
Current Issues of Executive Protection
Special Focus

Concern Over 1976 Campaign Risks

New Reality of Political Assassination In U.S.A.

The harsh reality of political assassination refuses to go away. The approach of another presidential campaign year, with all its perils to the candidates, has forced the nation once again to ponder ways of providing for their safety without undermining the political process or eroding the constitutional rights of citizens. Two attempts on President Ford's life in September flooded America with memories of assassinations it would prefer to forget.

Many of the old debates resurfaced. How can public officials be better protected? How can potential assassins be singled out and deterred? What is the proper role of the press in its coverage of assassination events? In the aftermath of the assassination attempts on Ford, new calls arose for curtailment of presidential travel and for enactment of stronger gun control legislation. Secret Service protection was promptly offered to several presidential candidates.

The public exposure of presidential contenders is likely to be greater than ever in the 1976 campaign now under way. They will compete in more presidential primaries than ever (30), beginning with the Feb. 24 New Hampshire election. Then after the national conventions next summer conies a long spell of campaigning for the party nominees leading to the general election next Nov. 2. The amount of exposure, and risk, is increased by the length of the campaign. Indeed, the assassination attempts upon President Ford occurred during trips to California which commentators regarded as essentially political.