Obama gets Secret Service protection

The US Secret Service are protecting presidential hopeful Barack Obama at the candidate's request, according to officials.

Coming 18 months before an election, this is the earliest that a presidential candidate has received Secret Service protection, which is normally only provided during the election year.

Congressional sources told a US newspaper that a bipartisan panel of congressional leaders reviewed threats to Obama, who hopes to become America's first black president, on websites and in letters before recommending special protection.

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.

US senator Dick Durbin expressed concern to Senate leadership two weeks ago that Mr Obama 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.

This is not the first time that an African American candidate has suffered heightened security concerns while considering a campaign or running for office.

In 1996, Colin Powell cited his family's fears of an assassination attempt when he announced he would not run for the White House.

Jesse Jackson said he received a steady stream of death threats when he ran for president in 1984, most of which were expressed in racist terms.

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

The only other candidate under Secret Service protection is Hillary Clinton because she is a former first lady as the wife of former President Bill Clinton.

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