"H.P." wrote in message
m...
Presidential candidates have been afforded SS protection since the '68
election when both Robert Kennedy and George Wallace were shot.

Only "Major candidates" are offered protection, and this protection
can be declined. See http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/ref/blssprotect.htm
In practice, the two "official" political parties get to decide who
is entitled to protection.

From Title 18, Sec. 3056

"Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and,
within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses
of such candidates. As used in this paragraph, the term ''major
Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates'' means those
individuals identified as such by the Secretary of the Treasury
after consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of
the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders
of the Senate, and one additional member selected by the other
members of the committee. The protection authorized in paragraphs
(2) through (7) may be declined."