Many second-tier GOP presidential campaigns have been waiting desperately for the United States Secret Service to ride to their rescue — not for protection for their candidate, but because the Secret Service actually helps pay for campaign charter planes. The campaigns were hoping that the Secret Service would come on board no later than January 15. But there won’t be a sign of them until after the Iowa caucuses. It seems that a committee has to meet in order to decide who deserves protection and when that protection should start. This committee has not yet convened because of the very busy schedule of one of the six members — Majority Leader Bob Dole. The senator doesn’t really need the help since he has the biggest staff and doesn’t need to do as many events as, say, Dick Lugar — and he can’t mind that the absence of the Secret Service is costing his rivals money they might spend on negative ads against him. The rumor du jour is that the meeting will finally take place next week where, of course, the senator will graciously excuse himself from the decision. Who said being majority leader would hurt Dole’s campaign?
