# Does the president get house keys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538 "2009-09-25T16:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/41 "2011-03-24T17:34:05Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Come to think of it… > > As Prez, I’d want some personal keys. For example my oval office desk and file cabinet. I’d certainly have a personal password on my computer. Just in case the staff wants to snoop around. I mean, if _anyone_ is entitled to ‘administrator’ access, it’s the President… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/42 "2011-03-24T19:11:47Z")
I once read that your status is the inverse of how many keys you carry to how many doors have to be opened to do your job. I am sure the janitor has a key to Donald Trump’s office, but does the Donald? My guess is that the president has enough clout to have whatever keys he chooses, or to expect somebody else to open the door. From the link on Ford getting locked out:’'Secret Service agents are in a room in the basement (they have a mirror and closed-circuit TV and there are lights all over the grounds), and usually they notice anything that moves, so I still don’t understand how they missed the scene with the odd couple. Maybe somebody dozed off. ‘’ The same bunch that only a misfire saved him from Lynette A. “Squeaky” Fromme and misaligned sights from Sara Jane Moore? On getting Liberty: ''David thought for a minutes “I guess you might call It public housing,” he said. The owner said the dog was healthy; she was going to eat a lot. Did his friend have a steady job?’’ Perhaps better answers might be ''The house is a perk of his job. The job is for a limited period and if not extended, he will have a nice pension. ‘’ ---
**Author:** ![sohvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sohvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sohvan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/43 "2011-03-24T20:20:58Z")
> [@ChrisBooth12](#): > > I know some do. When asked where presidents keep their nuclear keycode card I think Clinton kept his in his jacket but someone else said they kept theirs in their wallet Somehow the thought of nuclear keycodes being inside someone’s jacket pocket is slightly disturbing. It was probably the best guarded jacket in the entire world, though. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/44 "2011-03-24T20:52:50Z")
There’s a possibility for a rather good film here. The president ( not based on any in real-life ) cleverly ducks his detail and responsibilities for 12 hours, having handed over to the vice-president; wanders around the seamier sides of Washington in the evening as an ordinary joe, visits clubs and dives _a la_ Haroun al-Raichid with an increasingly motley gang of lovable ne’er-do-wells who teach him the Meaning of Life on the Streets; drives with one of them into the star-lit country at night and is invited to share the simple homespun meal of an Ordinary American Family; is touched by their Goodness and Simplicity, and declares: ‘_This Is What It’s All About_’. Having had adventures and learnt Something About Himself, he tools off home, and let’s himself into the White House with a latchkey. Tossing a friendly word to the tired gatekeeper, and being saluted by marines along corridors until he peers through an open door at the gracious wife he loves so much nursing his improving sick little daughter. There’d be a certain audience for this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/45 "2011-03-24T21:49:46Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The familys apartments in the White House would presumably have locks and they would have keys. I’d guess not. Secret service would presumably need to be able to rush in at any moment to take the president to a safe location. They’re not going to want to fumble with keycards or call the president at 3AM with nukes incoming and ask him to open the bedroom door for them. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/46 "2011-03-24T22:57:33Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > There’s a possibility for a rather good film here. The president ( not based on any in real-life ) cleverly ducks his detail and responsibilities for 12 hours, having handed over to the vice-president; wanders around the seamier sides of Washington in the evening as an ordinary joe, visits clubs and dives _a la_ Haroun al-Raichid with an increasingly motley gang of lovable ne’er-do-wells who teach him the Meaning of Life on the Streets; drives with one of them into the star-lit country at night and is invited to share the simple homespun meal of an Ordinary American Family; is touched by their Goodness and Simplicity, and declares: ‘_This Is What It’s All About_’. Having had adventures and learnt Something About Himself, he tools off home, and let’s himself into the White House with a latchkey. Tossing a friendly word to the tired gatekeeper, and being saluted by marines along corridors until he peers through an open door at the gracious wife he loves so much nursing his improving sick little daughter. > There’d be a certain audience for this stuff. Sounds good, kid…now work in a few car chases and an explosion in the second reel and get back to me. Oh, and can we get a witty sidekick, please? And make sure the daughter’s an adorable moppet. I’m sick of sick kids looking sick in this biz. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/47 "2011-03-25T14:30:20Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Oh, and can we get a witty sidekick, please? What, Biden’s not witty enough? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/48 "2011-03-25T15:46:16Z")
> [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](#): > > This would make a killer, “what’s in your wallet” commercial. "Pissed off by a Concierge in Trinidad? Lobster cold in Nassau? Call up a nuclear submarine cruise missile strike. The Nuclear Weapons Codes. What’s in _your_ wallet?" ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/49 "2011-03-25T16:14:59Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > There’s a possibility for a rather good film here. The president ( not based on any in real-life ) cleverly ducks his detail and responsibilities for 12 hours, having handed over to the vice-president; wanders around the seamier sides of Washington in the evening as an ordinary joe, visits clubs and dives _a la_ Haroun al-Raichid with an increasingly motley gang of lovable ne’er-do-wells who teach him the Meaning of Life on the Streets; drives with one of them into the star-lit country at night and is invited to share the simple homespun meal of an Ordinary American Family; is touched by their Goodness and Simplicity, and declares: ‘_This Is What It’s All About_’. Having had adventures and learnt Something About Himself, he tools off home, and let’s himself into the White House with a latchkey. Tossing a friendly word to the tired gatekeeper, and being saluted by marines along corridors until he peers through an open door at the gracious wife he loves so much nursing his improving sick little daughter. > There’d be a certain audience for this stuff. Next on FOX - _Barack Like Me_, a rollicking new comedy series starring Cedric the Entertainer as the new Chief Executive. [Golden Globe nominee MoNique](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1244457/Precious-actress-MoNique-shows-hairy-legs-Golden-Globe-awards.html) stars as his wife, and the role of wisecracking sidekick Joe Biden is played by Andrew Dice Clay. In the first episode, the President cannot find his keys due to accidentally switching jackets with the ambassador from Kenya, and is arrested for attempted burglary when he attempts to get into his office. The merry mix-ups continue when he cannot produce any proof of his identity except the Kenyan ambassador’s birth certificate, leading to confusion and fun. The role of Sarah Palin is played by Mickey Rourke. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/50 "2011-03-25T16:57:19Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > What, Biden’s not witty enough? Well he is good for a lot of laughs. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/51 "2011-03-25T22:10:08Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > I mean, if _anyone_ is entitled to ‘administrator’ access, it’s the President… 🙂 I remember when the I Love You virus was going around. Our CEO opened an email with it. It turned out he had write access to about everything on the network. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/52 "2011-03-25T22:16:15Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > As a slight hijack, I actually have treated the White House locksmith back in 2000. He was looking forward to a change in administration because it meant more work since they had to change all the locks. They change the locks? Are they afraid Cheney is going to try to sneak back in? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/53 "2011-03-25T22:19:33Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > They change the locks? Are they afraid Cheney is going to try to sneak back in? Seems a reasonable thing to fear. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/54 "2011-03-25T23:13:03Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > They change the locks? Are they afraid Cheney is going to try to sneak back in? He just changes into mist and goes in through the keyhole. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/55 "2011-03-26T01:11:44Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > There’s a possibility for a rather good film here. The president ( not based on any in real-life ) cleverly ducks his detail and responsibilities for 12 hours, having handed over to the vice-president; wanders around the seamier sides of Washington in the evening as an ordinary joe, visits clubs and dives _a la_ Haroun al-Raichid with an increasingly motley gang of lovable ne’er-do-wells who teach him the Meaning of Life on the Streets; drives with one of them into the star-lit country at night and is invited to share the simple homespun meal of an Ordinary American Family; is touched by their Goodness and Simplicity, and declares: ‘_This Is What It’s All About_’. Having had adventures and learnt Something About Himself, he tools off home, and let’s himself into the White House with a latchkey. Tossing a friendly word to the tired gatekeeper, and being saluted by marines along corridors until he peers through an open door at the gracious wife he loves so much nursing his improving sick little daughter. > There’d be a certain audience for this stuff. [Saving Grace](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091895/) (1986) was along these lines, except it was the Pope and Italy. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/56 "2011-03-26T13:14:40Z")
Usually it’s the president’s daughter or something. The president has to be perfect. And I assume you’ve all seen [this episode](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/About_Last_Night..._%28South_Park%29) of South Park (video link at the bottom)… ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/57 "2011-03-26T17:05:16Z")
Apparently President Obama just got locked out of the White House. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog\_theticket/20110325/ts\_yblog\_theticket/theyre-just-like-us-even-presidents-get-locked-out](http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110325/ts_yblog_theticket/theyre-just-like-us-even-presidents-get-locked-out) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/58 "2011-03-26T17:39:09Z")
> [@CWN](#): > > It is a little known fact that a spare key is under the welcome mat Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a welcome mat at the White House since the Truman administration. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/59 "2011-03-26T18:21:26Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Apparently President Obama just got locked out of the White House. > > [http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog\_theticket/20110325/ts\_yblog\_theticket/theyre-just-like-us-even-presidents-get-locked-out](http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110325/ts_yblog_theticket/theyre-just-like-us-even-presidents-get-locked-out) You don’t say? Well, I predict this will become his swimming killer rabbit moment. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538/60 "2011-03-26T19:17:49Z")
Ah, sloppy reporting. ‘‘Video of the First Family disembarking Air Force One showed Obama approaching the White House’’ Don’t they use Marine One to ferry him from where Air Force One lands to the White House Lawn? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-president-get-house-keys/511538.md?page=4)