Last updated 1:54AM ET
February 14, 2012
Election 2008
Election 2008
The President's Blackberry
(2009-01-23)
U.S. President Barack Obama smiles while in the White House complex in Washington
(Associated Press) -

President Barack Obama is keeping his BlackBerry for his personal use, becoming the first sitting president to use e-mail.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says that a small group of senior advisers - as well as personal friends - will be permitted to have the e-mail address that reaches Obama's hand-held device.

Gibbs says the presumption is that e-mails will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. That law requires the National Archives to preserve presidential records.

Gibbs says use of the BlackBerry will be limited and security will be enhanced, and that the president reached a compromise to keep his cherished gadget. He didn't say with whom a compromise had been reached.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press