I am working overseas. While out at a market the ex-ex-vice-president of this country where no polital figure has ever faced physical violence decided to stop by the nearby temple.
In their arrival they arrived with a fleet of security guards and blocked off the street and caused a huge scene. Being a foriegner I thought wow this is so ridiculous I cannot imagine that the ex-ex-vice-presidents travel arround like this. But when questioned about the USA I didnt know what to say. Does Dan Quail travel arround with a fleet of secret service agents being payed 50+ grand a year to drive arround and protect him? Does the US tax payer fork over so ex-ex-vice presidents can ride arround on top of society like this?
I hope we can get some kind of answer to this question. While I think it is reasonable to protect the current VP I cannot imagine paying 200 some odd full time guards (considering they get vacation time) to trail arround every ex-VP out there. Costing tax payers millions for every ex-VP. Especially for those of us getting taxed by 3-4 countries haha.
I would like to be enlightened to the benefits of being a ex-ex-political hotshot.
In the US, the only former officials to continue to receive Secret Service protection are former presidents, their spouses (unless they remarry), and their children (up to 16). For presidents prior to GW Bush, that protection was lifelong, but for him and all presidents henceforth, Secret Service protection ceases after 10 years.
I don’t know how extensive the Secret Service protection for ex-presidents is, i.e., whether it’s still a fleet of vigorous young agents, or one elderly retired agent who falls asleep in a chair while the ex-president is shopping.
The thinking behind the change was a recognition that ex-presidents invariably are or become sufficiently wealthy that they can afford their own protection. Whether such private security will be willing to leap in front of a bullet remains to be seen.
Speaking very generally, when traveling overseas, dignitaries like this tend to rely more on the local authorities for support and assistance in this kind of thing, rather than having a personal battalion of Secret Service agents.
For example, Dan Qualye may not have any Secret Service protection while at home, but if he decides to visit some country to give a speech, the host nation may offer up motorcades, security, and whatever else as a courtesy. The host nation with then coordinate with the US Embassy’s regional security officers to make sure things go right. So it isn’t like Mr. Quayle would have people whose entire lives are dedicated to following him overseas, more like the local police could be diverted from their duties to make sure his visit goes smoothly.
Of course, different practices may apply to different dignitaries in different countries.
Well, that’s a matter of statute, so Congress would have to act some time in the next ten years to extend his protection. But, as Tom pointed out, GWB will certainly be capable of affording his own private bodyguards if he wants them. Former Presidents make mad bucks on their book deals and speaking tours.
By way of example, if (former UK PM) Tony Blair visits Washington, there will be a cadre of Secret Service agents, local police, and probably representatives from the armed services guarding him, in addition to his own accompanying security detail.