Barack Obama under Secret Service protection

(CNN) -- Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been placed under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service, the Secret Service said Thursday.

A statement from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he authorized the protection detail for Obama.

"As a matter of procedure, we will not release any details of the deliberations or assessments that led to protection being initiated," the statement said. "For security reasons we will not release the timing, scope or details of any protective operations."

The Secret Service told CNN no specific threat had been made against Obama.

Re: Barack Obama under Secret Service protection

That's a shame, he has small children. It must be so scary to be a politician at times.

Re: Barack Obama under Secret Service protection

Don't they normally have the presidential candidates under SS protection? I mean it is a bit early but he would be soon enough anyway.

Re: Barack Obama under Secret Service protection

I think usually the person who wins the party nomination is under SS protection, but not all the hopefulls.

I just feel bad that it's starting already for him. It shouldn't be this way in 2007.

Re: Barack Obama under Secret Service protection

That's good that they found out about the threat and did something about it.