Obama likely to be forced to surrender his BlackBerry

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:07PM EST

See Comments (58)

And no, he's not getting an iPhone.

President-elect Barack Obama is rarely seen in public without his BlackBerry smart phone, but that's likely to change when he sits down at his desk in the Oval Office come January. And, says the New York Times, he's dreading that moment.

The first e-President is likely to become significantly less connected come January 20 for a variety of reasons. Naturally security is a concern, lest Obama be tricked into clicking on the wrong ad. But the bigger issue is now a legal one: As President, Obama's written correspondence will be subject to the Presidential Records Act, which will all ultimately become part of the official record and subject to review by the public.

The upshot: As tech-savvy as the new prez may be, things will be locked down considerably once he takes office. It's almost hard to believe, but it looks like he won't even be allowed a computer on his desk, much less the ability to idly chat with old friends and supporters via email. It's said that it's unlikely he'll even be allowed to read email on the computer: Presumably his correspondence will be printed out to him and handed over as a hard copy. How's that for progress?

As well, there is no word on how Obama will communicate with former Nigerian princes, nor how he will claim the millions of dollars they have to offer.

POLL: What do you think?

Comments on Obama likely to be forced to surrender his BlackBerry

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  • 1 Posted by vanmo92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    That seals it. I am never going to be president.

  • 2 Posted by middlenamefrank on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Every word he says and will say becomes part of the public record. Why be afraid of email? I guess I'm not understanding the dilemma. Just don't say anything stupid in your emails! Any of us would be fools to neglect to do the same.

  • 3 Posted by philtamara on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think the White House needs to realize we are are in 2008, not 1908. This is the world of technology, and the government leaders need to embrace it.

  • 4 Posted by alexgannis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Obama and congress want to bail out auto maker which is wrong it the big company that got us into this mess let them fall and it time to make them reform, like palin and McCain wanted to reform are government and yet what are we going to get the same that there no change. America you voted in the wrong President.

  • 5 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Somehow, that sort of logic just doesn't work. Security? Please. The lack of convenience could sheck him away from where he could be getting information. Essentially, his aides would be the only people to let him know about the outside world and that's never a good idea.

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