(Image source: The Washington Post)

BY JONATHAN KETZ

ANCHOR JONATHAN KETZ

You're watching multisource global analysis by Newsy. 

Ask and you shall receive. Herman Cain asks for secret service protection---and he gets it. CNN asks -- why?

“They decided Cain was worthy of receiving the protection. That could only lead to you believe one thing Fredricka. That means obviously Mr. Cain’s safety was at risk.”

Fox News reported Cain’s received death threats lately. He’s the first GOP candidate to ever receive the protection. Fox News reports some of the other candidates in years past- who’ve received the protection.

“Congress authorized the protection of major candidates after the assassination of Robert Kennedy in California. That was in 1968. His brother senator Edward Kennedy received security detail during his run for the White House in 1980.”

It is unknown if one particular incident triggered the request, but MSNBC took a different look. As of late, Cain’s political rallies have gotten heated involving the press. In one instance a security guard and photographer collided as the reporter was trying to shoot video. Here’s NBC.

Officer: “You ran into me.”
Reporter:”Because you stuck your arm out at me twice.”
Officer: “You should apologize to me for hurting my arm. You’re not going to apologize to me? That’s not very nice. Hi. I can video tape you too.”

The press of late has been eager to ask Mr. Cain about foreign policy. After his debacle over the situation in Libya --

“Libya... long pause...”

-- reporters have lots to ask him about, including the sexual harassment allegations, his perceived foreign policy weaknesses...and...his 9-9-9 plan.

“The reporters have been asking him a lot of follow up questions about foreign policy issues and been pushed aside by his press aides. Now they say they need secret service to avoid having these confrontations with reporters.”

Cain spokesman J.D. Gordon cites the journalist scuffles as the reason Cain got the Secret Service. He also adds the reason for getting the added protection was not--- to protect journalists. For Newsy, I’m Jonathan Ketz. Multiple sources. The real story.