# Does the POTUS carry a wallet with a drivers license, credit cards etc.? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705 "2008-09-22T17:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/1 "2008-09-22T17:28:01Z")
Just curious. Is there really any reason for him to carry these things? ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/2 "2008-09-22T17:39:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Just curious. Is there really any reason for him to carry these things? Probably depends on the POTUS. Some might want to carry a wallet like normal. Others may want their body man to carry that stuff. Remember too, that there are SOME things that the POTUS would buy with his own money. Stuff like presents for family, etc. While he may have staffers go buy that stuff for him, I’d imagine there are some presidents who would want to do personal things like that himself. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/3 "2008-09-22T17:48:36Z")
Why wouldn’t he carry these things? The President is neither a god nor an annointed king. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/4 "2008-09-22T17:57:41Z")
There was a well publicized event with Bush senior visiting with some kids at a day care (I think). THe kid he was talking to didn’t believe who he was, so Bush pulled out his driver’s license. It was, of course, humorous and made good TV. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/5 "2008-09-22T18:13:25Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Why wouldn’t he carry these things? The President is neither a god nor an annointed king. He’s also surrounded by bodyguards and staffers every moment he’s out of the White House (and possibly every moment he’s out of the crapper). It’s a fair question. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/6 "2008-09-22T18:14:11Z")
If Aaron Sorkin can be believed, he at least does not carry his credit cards. I refer you to the scene in _The American President_, where President Shepherd is trying to buy a bouquet of dogwood flowers for Sydney Ellen Wade and his assistant informs him that his credit cards are in a safety deposit box in Wisconsin or something like that. If Aaron Sorkin says it … ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/7 "2008-09-22T18:18:20Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > He’s also surrounded by bodyguards and staffers every moment he’s out of the White House (and possibly every moment he’s out of the crapper). It’s a fair question. The anecdotal story I heard was that the Queen’s little handbags contain a few peppermints and nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/8 "2008-09-22T18:56:38Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > If Aaron Sorkin can be believed, he at least does not carry his credit cards. > > I refer you to the scene in _The American President_, where President Shepherd is trying to buy a bouquet of dogwood flowers for Sydney Ellen Wade and his assistant informs him that his credit cards are in a safety deposit box in Wisconsin or something like that. > > If Aaron Sorkin says it … Damn, I came in to share this anecdote.. grr.. [QUOTE=Sigene] There was a well publicized event with Bush senior visiting with some kids at a day care (I think). THe kid he was talking to didn’t believe who he was, so Bush pulled out his driver’s license. [/QUOTE] During his presidency, after, or before? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/9 "2008-09-22T19:07:23Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > He’s also surrounded by bodyguards and staffers every moment he’s out of the White House (and possibly every moment he’s out of the crapper). It’s a fair question. Well, sure, but how do you tell him apart from Eddie Murphy? According to another thread, not carrying ID is grounds for getting arrested in Michigan, so he’d have to be careful there. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/10 "2008-09-22T19:08:11Z")
If I may add an ancillary question: Do heads of state and their staff present passports and the like when they visit other countries? I can just picture the Queen presenting a pound note or something and saying “That’s me right there!” ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/11 "2008-09-22T19:10:32Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > The anecdotal story I heard was that the Queen’s little handbags contain a few peppermints and nothing else. From [da man](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/790/what-does-queen-elizabeth-carry-in-that-purse). ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/12 "2008-09-22T19:14:36Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > If I may add an ancillary question: > > Do heads of state and their staff present passports and the like when they visit other countries? > > I can just picture the Queen presenting a pound note or something and saying “That’s me right there!” I don’t think Queen Elizabeth has a passport, since it’s just a written request from her to foreign governments. She can make the request herself in person. She probably had a passport before 1952 as the Princess Elizabeth, since it would have been issued on behalf of her father or her grandfather. Members of her staff would need passports, since they would not just travel in the same party as HM on all occasions. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/13 "2008-09-22T19:15:06Z")
There’s also things like Bill Clinton stopping in at McDonald’s on his morning jog. It probably makes for a better photo op if the President himself pays for his Egg McMuffin, rather than one of his Secret Service agents. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/14 "2008-09-22T19:17:12Z")
[Empty pockets: The US President does not carry a wallet or any money.](http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1496481.htm) Slate’s Explainer (video): [noparse][Video](http://www.slatev.com/player.html?id=1213979183%5B/noparse%5D) [http://www.danielgross.net/archives/2005/05/01-week/index.html](http://www.danielgross.net/archives/2005/05/01-week/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/15 "2008-09-22T19:19:53Z")
Former Colombian President [apparently](http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CEEDE103FF930A25756C0A9659C8B63) carried a wallet containing his personal check card while in office- and a scrap of paper with the PIN on it too. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/16 "2008-09-22T20:08:24Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > During his presidency, after, or before? I’m sure it was during his presidency. Call me a liar, cause I can’t find it on the internets…I would have thought it would have been easier to find…I’m sure I didn’t make it up. Anyone else want to verify this or find it for me somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/17 "2008-09-22T22:38:59Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I’m sure it was during his presidency. > > Call me a liar, cause I can’t find it on the internets…I would have thought it would have been easier to find…I’m sure I didn’t make it up. Anyone else want to verify this or find it for me somewhere? > [@](#): > > SHEPHERD (O.S.) Janie! Do you have any idea where my credit cards might be? > > CUT TO: > > SHEPHERD AT HIS DESK > > JANIE They’re in storage in Wisconsin with the rest of your personal items. Source: [http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/american\_president.html](http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/american_president.html) ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/18 "2008-09-22T22:45:03Z")
He’s got to carry something in those pockets 'cause they sure aren’t full of guilt. Sorry, /hijack. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/19 "2008-09-23T00:07:33Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > He’s got to carry something in those pockets 'cause they sure aren’t full of guilt. > Sorry, /hijack. Not only is that a hijack, it’s also bringing political opinions into General Questions. If you take the time to read the stickies at the top for the forum, we expressly ask you to NOT do this. So, don’t do this. **samclem** \* GQ moderator. \*who will send you an email so you can’t say you didn’t see this. Not a formal warning, just a caution. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705/20 "2008-09-23T00:15:16Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Source: [http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/american\_president.html](http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/american_president.html) They’re looking for the story about Bush 41 showing his driver’s license to a disbelieving school kid. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-potus-carry-a-wallet-with-a-drivers-license-credit-cards-etc/464705.md?page=2)