Spring Break
Obama's personal win: Keeping the BlackBerry
Lisa Tolin The Associated Press
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first family settled into their new lives in the White House on Thursday as President Barack Obama won an important personal victory: He gets to keep his BlackBerry.
Obama will be the first sitting president to use e-mail, and he has been reluctant to part with his ever-present handheld device. Its use will be limited to keeping in touch with senior staff and personal friends, said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
And though Gibbs said Obama had to ask at one point where to go next in his "pretty big house," he also said the president was enjoying living above the store and had time for dinner with the family on Wednesday.
"I think that obviously means a lot to him as a father," Gibbs said.
It was back to business for daughters Sasha and Malia, too, who returned to classes at the private Sidwell Friends School on Thursday.
The girls were allowed to play hooky Wednesday after a late-night scavenger hunt at the White House that ended when they opened a door and found their favorite band, the Jonas Brothers.
But two days of frivolity was, apparently, enough. Michelle Obama had no public schedule for the rest of the week as she helped the girls make themselves at home, said Mrs. Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld.
"Her primary focus this week is getting the kids settled. She is focused entirely on getting unpacked and getting the kids up and running," McCormick Lelyveld said.
Both girls were excited to get their rooms set up, McCormick Lelyveld said. Mrs. Obama has worked hard throughout the transition to maintain a strong routine for Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10.
"I know the family's moved now three times in only a few weeks. But if you know them and you know their family, they've had a routine for a long time," Gibbs said. "This is a monumental testament to Michelle."
The monumental testament to her husband? He won the BlackBerry battle.
Gibbs joked that the development was "almost as exciting as the presidential dog." He poked fun at the White House press corps for stirring at the news during his briefing. "Let's make sure the pen still works."
Obama will be the first sitting president to use e-mail, and he has been reluctant to part with his ever-present handheld device. Its use will be limited to keeping in touch with senior staff and personal friends, said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
And though Gibbs said Obama had to ask at one point where to go next in his "pretty big house," he also said the president was enjoying living above the store and had time for dinner with the family on Wednesday.
"I think that obviously means a lot to him as a father," Gibbs said.
It was back to business for daughters Sasha and Malia, too, who returned to classes at the private Sidwell Friends School on Thursday.
The girls were allowed to play hooky Wednesday after a late-night scavenger hunt at the White House that ended when they opened a door and found their favorite band, the Jonas Brothers.
But two days of frivolity was, apparently, enough. Michelle Obama had no public schedule for the rest of the week as she helped the girls make themselves at home, said Mrs. Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld.
"Her primary focus this week is getting the kids settled. She is focused entirely on getting unpacked and getting the kids up and running," McCormick Lelyveld said.
Both girls were excited to get their rooms set up, McCormick Lelyveld said. Mrs. Obama has worked hard throughout the transition to maintain a strong routine for Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10.
"I know the family's moved now three times in only a few weeks. But if you know them and you know their family, they've had a routine for a long time," Gibbs said. "This is a monumental testament to Michelle."
The monumental testament to her husband? He won the BlackBerry battle.
Gibbs joked that the development was "almost as exciting as the presidential dog." He poked fun at the White House press corps for stirring at the news during his briefing. "Let's make sure the pen still works."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Peace Love
posted 1/23/09 @ 8:26 PM MST
Please don't demean Obama's real personal win with such trifle.
He has now begun the funding of abortion, the affectionate name we give to the wholesale slaughter of children for profit, the world over. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 1/25/09 @ 11:08 PM MST
Great Obama retains his CRACKBERRY. Obama misses the next attack on America because he is playing Donkey Kong on his Crackberry.
Wow this is what constitutes a win in Obamalot. (Continued…)
Cheezy
posted 1/27/09 @ 12:22 PM MST
Haha. Black Barry gets to keep is BlackBerry!
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