Ron Paul rejects Secret Service protection

Unlike his fellow candidates in the GOP presidential campaign, Ron Paul has not asked for Secret Service protection, funded by the taxpayers.

At first only Herman Cain received secret service protection before he dropped out of the campaign, then it was provided to Mitt Romney from February 1. Next it was also granted to Rick Santorum, who according to King 5 requested it for his family's sake, following a rowdy rally in Tacoma, which he described as "a sad state of affairs." Not to be outdone Newt Gingrich then requested protection. The only GOP presidential candidate to refrain from requesting taxpayer funded bodyguards for his protection is Ron Paul, sticking firm to his belief in small government. Candidates are required to have their requests cleared by the Dept. of Homeland Security. According to CBS News Dr. Paul has said that secret service protection is a waste of money and he won't be asking for it until he is elected president. Joe Gaffney, commenting on taxpayer funded bodyguards for the GOP candidates on USA Today writes "If anyone needs Secret Service protection, it is Ron Paul for exposing the criminal syndicate running the Fed, proposing to audit the Fed."