Why does Bill Clinton need 20 bodyguards?

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Why in heaven's name does Bill need so many bodyguards? Just asking.

Bill Clinton brings over 20 bodyguards to London

By COLIN FERNANDEZ

Whoever said it's lonely at the top, it wasn't Bill Clinton. The former President is constantly surrounded by an entourage of more than 20 bodyguards. So when he attended a book signing in London on Thursday, he brought a crowd of his own. The one-time US leader looked like he was auditioning for a part in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Spot the difference: Bill Clinton's stroll through London on Thursday had more in common with Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (top) than a low-key shopping outing. Closely guarded: Former US President Bill Clinton in London on Thursday. The burly men in suits fanned out around 61-year-old Mr Clinton as he went window shopping in Jermyn Street before arriving at the Piccadilly branch of Waterstone's.

Fortunately for the former resident of the White House, they turned out to be heavily outnumbered by 1,000 or so fans who bought his book Giving - How Each of Us Can Change the World.

Mr Clinton stood down in 2001. Former Presidents and their spouses are entitled to be guarded by the Secret Service for ten years after they leave office.

He flew to Britain to attend a fundraising meeting at a private house in Windsor for Democrats Abroad.

His wife Hillary is a frontrunner to win the Democrats' presidential nomination.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

To protect him from Hillary?

 

[poohandwendy]

I guess I don't know what is standard, so I couldn't say. Also, maybe there were some specific security issues, so it was just an extra precaution? I dunno.

 

[eclectics]

I don't know if that number is usual or unusual. One thing I would never begrudge former Presidents (all of them) is Secret Service protection for themselves and their families. I think they're entitled to that. Just mho.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I remember when he was president and came to NYC... they would close down the streets for hours.

He did have quite an entourage.

And now with the possibility that he'll be the First Dude.

 

[freckles and boo]

I don't know if that number is usual or unusual. One thing I would never begrudge former Presidents (all of them) is Secret Service protection for themselves and their families. I think they're entitled to that. Just mho.

I agree. Also, I am sure he doesn't randomly say "I think I need twenty guys today". Potential threats are assessed and someone makes a decision. He is probably more heavily guarded than others because his wife is now a presidential candidate and because he is very active.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

So will any of you have any qualms if GWB travels with a large entourage such as this after his presidency? Just asking.

 

[DISUNC]

So will any of you have any qualms if GWB travels with a large entourage such as this after his presidency? Just asking.

FYI! Up until 1997 EX-Presidents & First ladies have Secret Service for the remainder of their life. The changed to law to just 10 years now.

So Bill & Hillary Clinton will be the last president/first lady to have Secret service for life. George & Laura Bush will only have Secret Service for 10 years.

 

[crazyme5kids]

So will any of you have any qualms if GWB travels with a large entourage such as this after his presidency? Just asking.

I think he'll probably need more than 20. He isn't very well liked by way too many people worldwide.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

FYI! Up until 1997 EX-Presidents & First ladies have Secret Service for the remainder of their life. The changed to law to just 10 years now.

So Bill & Hillary Clinton will be the last president/first lady to have Secret service for life. George & Laura Bush will only have Secret Service for 10 years.

I honestly did not know that. Thanks for the info.

 

[freckles and boo]

So will any of you have any qualms if GWB travels with a large entourage such as this after his presidency? Just asking.

Is Laura planning to run? She might make a good pres. I hear that she is actually considerably more liberal than W.

Seriously, when his father, GHWB, had just left office and was much more active on the paid speaking circuit my husband worked a show call (we were still in school at the time). The SS were everywhere and there were a lot more than twenty of them in the auditorium. They were in the catwalks, upstage, in the stands. Crew had to submit their SS#s so background checks could be made. If GWB needs security he is entitled to it.

 

[Honu]

I used to see Chelsea a lot when she was at Stanford. Judging from the amount of agents she had, I think 20 might be a normal size security detail for Bill.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

This has truly been an educational evening. I seriously did not know the former Presidents had so many Secret Service agents. You learn something new everyday.

 

[eclectics]

FYI! Up until 1997 EX-Presidents & First ladies have Secret Service for the remainder of their life. The changed to law to just 10 years now.

So Bill & Hillary Clinton will be the last president/first lady to have Secret service for life. George & Laura Bush will only have Secret Service for 10 years.

I think that's wrong. They should all have it for life if they wish to have it. I think the Carters (or maybe it was the Fords) voluntarily discontinued it. It should be their choice if and when to stop it.

 

[stevenpensacola]

they help him scout for babes....

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

they help him scout for babes....

 

[profdsny]

I used to do a lot of events where former presidents appeared. That's not unusal by any means. I've seen more. Frequently they don't appear surrounding the president, but may be in advance cars, or tail cars, or inside the event, or hotel when the president might be staying. Nixon was the only one I saw who got rid of his body guards. This was in the mid-eighties.
I don't recall reading anything where they only have them for 10 years after they leave office. Not saying it's not true, just that it's unlikey. My guess is the current occupant will have them for life, unless they are replaced by Blackwater.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I used to do a lot of events where former presidents appeared. That's not unusal by any means. I've seen more. Frequently they don't appear surrounding the president, but may be in advance cars, or tail cars, or inside the event, or hotel when the president might be staying. Nixon was the only one I saw who got rid of his body guards. This was in the mid-eighties.
I don't recall reading anything where they only have them for 10 years after they leave office. Not saying it's not true, just that it's unlikey. My guess is the current occupant will have them for life, unless they are replaced by Blackwater.

http://www.secretservice.gov/protection.shtml

After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress directed the Secret Service to protect the President of the United States. Protection remains a key mission of the United States Secret Service.



Authorization
Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:
The president, the vice president, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect
The immediate families of the above individuals
Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse remarries. In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the former president leaves office
Children of former presidents until age 16
Visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad
Major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election
Other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President
National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

 

[RobInBigKC]

FYI! Up until 1997 EX-Presidents & First ladies have Secret Service for the remainder of their life. The changed to law to just 10 years now.

So Bill & Hillary Clinton will be the last president/first lady to have Secret service for life. George & Laura Bush will only have Secret Service for 10 years.

Correct. President Truman left office long before I was born and died when I was about 4. His wife, Bess, lived until 1982. The Secret Service operated out of the house directly across from (west of) the Truman home in Independence, MO for around 30 years until she passed away. Now it is owned by a private individual while the Truman home (pictured below from the west) is "owned by" the National Park Service.

-- Rob

 

[profdsny]

Okay, thanks for the info. But all the more reason to think Blackwater will never be without work.