Originally Posted by Relentless

In the capacity of 'candidate for President of the United States'

We provide him with secret service protection. We provide him with top secret intelligence briefings. He is an envoy of our government, and making him one is what allows for the smooth transition of power rather than an abrupt end to all policy with a complete shake up every four years. The system requires candidates to behave in a presidential manner... something Mitt fails at regularly.