Secret Service protects presidential hopeful Obama

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) The US Secret Service today began protecting US Sen. Barack Obama, a Democrat running for president, at the candidate's request, officials said.

It was the earliest -- 18 months before an election -- that a presidential candidate received Secret Service protection, which usually is provided during the election year, the agency said.

Obama, who has served two years in the US Senate and was in the Illinois state Senate for eight years, is seeking to become the first black president.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, said Obama requested the protection. A department official said he was not aware of a potential threat.

Sen Dick Durbin expressed concern to Senate leadership two weeks ago that his fellow Illinois Democrat might be in danger because of the large crowds he was drawing on the campaign trail and some material he declined to characterize, the Chicago Tribune said. ''I love this guy, and I never want to see anything happen to him,'' Durbin was quoted as saying.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid brought the concerns to Homeland Security, the Secret Service and a congressional panel that reviews the need for special protection, the Tribune reported.

A congressional aide told the newspaper the presentation included information on threats to Obama on Web sites and in letters.

The aide declined to provide further details, the paper said.

Obama's office did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff authorized the additional security protection for Obama and ''the Secret Service is now implementing that protection,'' said Eric Zahren, a Secret Service spokesman.

''We're not going to discuss any of the deliberations or assessments that went into making that decision,'' he said.

The Secret Service provides security for the president and other top administration officials. It routinely provides security for the nominee from each political party.

''This is the earliest,'' Zahren said.

The only other candidate under Secret Service protection is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a New York Democrat, because she was first lady as the wife of former President Bill Clinton.

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