This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7733210.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Obama 'could stop using e-mail' | Obama 'could stop using e-mail' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Barack Obama, who gave up smoking before running for office, now faces a break with another habit - e-mail. | Barack Obama, who gave up smoking before running for office, now faces a break with another habit - e-mail. |
The US president-elect is likely to give it up, aides told the New York Times, because transparency laws would open his correspondence to public view. | The US president-elect is likely to give it up, aides told the New York Times, because transparency laws would open his correspondence to public view. |
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush both gave up e-mail in office, but Mr Obama will be the first BlackBerry user to occupy the White House. | Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush both gave up e-mail in office, but Mr Obama will be the first BlackBerry user to occupy the White House. |
He took mobile e-mail everywhere with him on the campaign trail. | He took mobile e-mail everywhere with him on the campaign trail. |
In the summer, cameras filmed him checking his BlackBerry while watching one of his daughters playing football. | In the summer, cameras filmed him checking his BlackBerry while watching one of his daughters playing football. |
His wife Michelle slapped at his hands, obliging him to put it away. | His wife Michelle slapped at his hands, obliging him to put it away. |
"I think Obama is the first president who is addicted to the BlackBerry like the rest of us, and there's a lot of presidential records and archive rules on what gets stored and what doesn't," former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart told the Associated Press. | "I think Obama is the first president who is addicted to the BlackBerry like the rest of us, and there's a lot of presidential records and archive rules on what gets stored and what doesn't," former Clinton press secretary Joe Lockhart told the Associated Press. |
'Crisp' e-mails | 'Crisp' e-mails |
A final decision on whether Mr Obama will become the first e-mailing president has yet to be made. | A final decision on whether Mr Obama will become the first e-mailing president has yet to be made. |
He is expected to be the first to have a laptop on his desk in the Oval Office. | He is expected to be the first to have a laptop on his desk in the Oval Office. |
Mr Obama was often seen using his BlackBerry on the campaign trailOne possibility reported to be under consideration is that he could continue to receive e-mails, but not send them. | Mr Obama was often seen using his BlackBerry on the campaign trailOne possibility reported to be under consideration is that he could continue to receive e-mails, but not send them. |
During the campaign, the New York Times reports, his advisers rarely printed out memos but simply e-mailed them to his BlackBerry. | During the campaign, the New York Times reports, his advisers rarely printed out memos but simply e-mailed them to his BlackBerry. |
The paper quoted aides saying that his emails, sometimes sent as late as 0100 or 0300, were "generally crisp, properly spelled and free of symbols or emoticons". | The paper quoted aides saying that his emails, sometimes sent as late as 0100 or 0300, were "generally crisp, properly spelled and free of symbols or emoticons". |
As well as the problem of the Presidential Records Act, which could open all presidential emails to public scrutiny, there are also security concerns. | As well as the problem of the Presidential Records Act, which could open all presidential emails to public scrutiny, there are also security concerns. |
HAVE YOUR SAYI don't have a BlackBerry. The last thing I need is a barrage of emails while I'm away from workAndrew, UKSend us your comments | |
Experts say there is always a risk of digital communication being hacked into. | Experts say there is always a risk of digital communication being hacked into. |
There is also the possibility that the location of a presidential mobile telephone could be tracked. | There is also the possibility that the location of a presidential mobile telephone could be tracked. |
Benjamin Nugent, author of the book American Nerd, says the president-elect is a techie, who will have difficulty parting with his BlackBerry. | Benjamin Nugent, author of the book American Nerd, says the president-elect is a techie, who will have difficulty parting with his BlackBerry. |
"It'll be interesting if we could see the torment on his face," he told AP. "For me it would be hell." | "It'll be interesting if we could see the torment on his face," he told AP. "For me it would be hell." |
But Mr Obama could yet decide to emulate Al Gore, who reportedly used a government e-mail address in his later years as vice-president. | But Mr Obama could yet decide to emulate Al Gore, who reportedly used a government e-mail address in his later years as vice-president. |
"He's the president," said another Clinton press secretary, Mike McCurry. "If he wants to carry the BlackBerry, he's entitled." | "He's the president," said another Clinton press secretary, Mike McCurry. "If he wants to carry the BlackBerry, he's entitled." |