Threats Against Obama Soar

Obama threatened more than any previous president-elect
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 15, 2008 4:46 AM CST
Threats Against Obama Soar
This undated photo obtained from a MySpace webpage shows Daniel Cowart, 20 of Bells, Tenn. holding a weapon. Cowart is accused of plotting to assassinate Barack Obama.   (AP Photo)

Law enforcement officials say Barack Obama is the most threatened president-elect in history, the AP reports. Potentially threatening writings, Internet chatter, and other activity aimed at Obama has soared since Election Day, accompanied by a surge in racist graffiti. Officials say most of the threats come from ranters lacking the power to harm Obama, but they can't afford to take anything less than seriously.

The white supremacist movement, gripped by post-election rage and desperation, has seen membership boom on its message boards. But the hostility is likely triggered by more than just racism, explained a former Secret Service agent who oversaw Obama's private protection detail before his presidential run. "Anytime you're going to have something that's new, you're going to have increased chatter," he said.
(More white supremacism stories.)

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