President Obama Laments White House Technology

It has been reported that the city of Washington D.C. is Blackberry addicted. Well, at least the government. When the status of a government shutdown was looming last week, congressional staffers were freaking out at the proposition of having to give up their devices.

President Obama is no exception, reportedly refusing to give up his Blackberry when he first took office, despite security concerns from his staff. Apparently, the technology surrounding him ain’t so great.

Obama recently kicked off his re-election bid, and today he was in his home base of Chicago speaking to donors. In some off-the-cuff remarks the President spoke about the technology situation at the White House and other parts of the government. As the President of the United States of America, it looks like he expected the latest and greatest. CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller Tweeted about the President’s remarks at the fundraiser.

@markknoller
Mark KnollerAt a fundraiser in Chicago, Obama complained about the White House: ”When it comes to technology, we are like 30 years behind.” 5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

@markknoller
Mark KnollerObama said he thought that as president, he’d have some “cool phones and stuff” in the Oval Office, but “we can’t get our phones to work!” 5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

@markknoller
Mark KnollerObama portrayed himself as exasperated. “Come on, guys. I’m the President of the United States. Where’s (cont) http://tl.gd/9s1lpt 5 hours ago via TwitLonger Beta · powered by @socialditto

@markknoller
Mark KnollerPres Obama said the govt’s IT “is horrible.” He said that’s the case “across the board:” at the Pentagon, Homeland Security, the agencies. 5 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

Innovation has been a talking point for the Obama administration, outlining the need for greater broadband access in rural areas during his latest State of the Union as well as pushing for improved digital medical records data keeping across the country. Hopefully he can work out the situation at office.

There are 5 Comments. Add Yours.

Roe
April 15, 2011 at 5:18 pm

This is sickening to read. No wonder the Chinese are able to infiltrate our defense and military computers with such ease. I bet even I could do it.
Gary Merillat
April 17, 2011 at 7:56 am

If the President doesn’t like the phone provided he can call up AT&T or some other provider and order a new one AS LONG AS HE PAYS FOR IT HIMSELF!
TPJaveton
April 17, 2011 at 12:13 pm

Is this the same government that wants to regulate the Internet? Two months ago I was ready to give them a benefit of the doubt (with the national ID proposal), but they themselves need a lot of upgrading, according to this latest info, before they can take on 21st Century problems. Thanks for sharing this.

TPJ-
smith
April 18, 2011 at 5:29 am

i think they are behind in only white house they should change their stuff
Pete
April 18, 2011 at 6:50 am

I suspect it is security concerns that lead to dated technology. I’ve worked in a large business before which handled a lot of personal details for a large number of people, security is rightly a concern but I found it far too risk averse, everything had to be the tried and tested, as a result I think security was actually worse (we were using IE6!) as restrictions make it to difficult to get your work done especially when things are time critical meaning you have to do al sorts of things to work around it, often making things less secure.

The problem will be with gutless IT staff worried about being the ones to introduce the new thing which results in a security breach, I sympathise with Mr Obama, I doubt it is anything like as efficient as what you see in 24. I can imagine Obama sitting waiting to get a video feed up for a crucial security briefing with some IT bloke messing around with network and video cables trying to get the thing to work!