# How often does the President get paid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975 "2016-11-07T18:31:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/21 "2016-11-07T19:53:57Z")
Somewhere in this question is an Onion article about Obama’s paycheck and a dispute over SSI withholdings. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/22 "2016-11-07T19:58:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > ??? Why wouldn’t you be able to pay with a credit card there, especially at a “gourmet burger” place? (I checked just in case, and every place accepts credit cards. Well, maybe not Air Force 1, but I suspect he doesn’t need to pay there.) There’s still a handful of cash-only businesses left here, but even the non-gourmet hamburger shack down the street here accepts cards. Maybe the President doesn’t want every Tom Dick and Harry with a burger joint to have his credit card number. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/23 "2016-11-07T20:00:14Z")
> [@vtxrider](#): > > I have no actual knowledge, but I recall the flow from the Michael Douglas movie “The American President” and in it, he pretty much did not even have a credit card to pay for flowers for Sydney Ellen Wade. > > I guess I figured that was fairly accurate, not because such movies are, but mainly because it seemed that the President would not be expected to pay for such things, that one of the secret service members would handle the transactions and such. > > **I mean does he have to pay for the groceries that make up breakfast, lunch and dinner,** or is there just a budget for the kitchen staff for feeding the first family? > > Since most places accept credit/debit cards these days I seldom carry cash, so I sort of figured the President would not likely carry any more than I do. [Actually, he does.](http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/10/politics/presidential-debt/) > [@](#): > > While first families don’t have to pay rent at the White House, they are responsible for personal costs that can multiply, especially if they spend the full eight years in that spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/24 "2016-11-07T20:02:07Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Maybe the President doesn’t want every Tom Dick and Harry with a burger joint to have his credit card number. Pretty sure that’s especially a credit card number you don’t wanna get caught illegally using. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/25 "2016-11-07T20:14:23Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > (The interesting thing was that the Diner owner was a Republican, but he really was bowled over by Bill). I know several people who have spent some time with Bill. All accounts say he exudes charisma and charm. Something his wife lacks. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/26 "2016-11-08T02:13:57Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > The Queen famously carries no money. She should at least carry a fiver. You know, as picture ID. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/27 "2016-11-08T02:38:58Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I remember watching a documentary of a BBC show following Clinton around and he bought some type of junk food at a campaign stop for himself and he paid from his own wallet. > > (The interesting thing was that the Diner owner was a Republican, but he really was bowled over by Bill). I think almost anyone, regardless of political affiliation, would be intimidated/bowled-over by the presence of the POTUS if unexpected. ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/28 "2016-11-08T05:26:15Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I know several people who have spent some time with Bill. All accounts say he exudes charisma and charm. Something his wife lacks. Isn’t this a typical political jab that gets modded in GQ? ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/29 "2016-11-08T05:42:08Z")
> [@donkeyoatey](#): > > Isn’t this a typical political jab that gets modded in GQ? I would actually go with it being a statement of fact. At least in large crowds. By all accounts, one on one, Hillary is also very charming and pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/30 "2016-11-08T19:31:44Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I know several people who have spent some time with Bill. All accounts say he exudes charisma and charm. Something his wife lacks. I’ve been in close proximity to Bill Clinton (he came over to thank my band for playing for him, lots of hand shaking and high fives and etc.) and I kid you not, the man glows with charisma. Seriously, he’s really scary that way; there’s an actual physical aura around him, a sort of energy field. And he holds your hand and looks into your eyes with sincerity and gets you on his wavelength and people respond to that. There were people in that band that didn’t care for him one little bit, never voted for him, and they melted into little pools of joy just shaking his hand, standing there smiling back at him. It explains a lot about him and how he has gotten through life. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/31 "2016-11-09T01:14:12Z")
Surprisingly, meeting Margaret Thatcher in person was apparently a similar experience. On television, she was the Iron Lady, but in person she was an unstoppable tsunami of charm and charisma. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/32 "2016-11-09T01:29:17Z")
> [@Lok](#): > > > [@donkeyoatey](#): > > > > Isn’t this a typical political jab that gets modded in GQ? > > I would actually go with it being a statement of fact. At least in large crowds. By all accounts, one on one, Hillary is also very charming and pleasant. I’ve heard her say in speeches that she’s not the natural politician her husband is. So I think she recognizes that he has something she does not. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/33 "2016-11-09T02:51:36Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > I’ve been in close proximity to Bill Clinton (he came over to thank my band for playing for him, lots of hand shaking and high fives and etc.) and I kid you not, the man glows with charisma. > > Seriously, he’s really scary that way; there’s an actual physical aura around him, a sort of energy field. And he holds your hand and looks into your eyes with sincerity and gets you on his wavelength and people respond to that. > > There were people in that band that didn’t care for him one little bit, never voted for him, and they melted into little pools of joy just shaking his hand, standing there smiling back at him. > > It explains a lot about him and how he has gotten through life. In 2008, he came to Atlanta when Hillary was making her first run, and gave a speech about energy policy. The wonkiest of wonky subjects, yet he had Mrs. SMV and I hanging on his every word. The man can give a speech, lemme tell you. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/34 "2016-11-09T07:28:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve heard her say in speeches that she’s not the natural politician her husband is. So I think she recognizes that he has something she does not. Success in national elections for one. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/35 "2016-11-09T11:52:14Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > In 2008, he came to Atlanta when Hillary was making her first run, and gave a speech about energy policy. The wonkiest of wonky subjects, yet he had Mrs. SMV and I hanging on his every word. The man can give a speech, lemme tell you. \ Mrs. SMV and me. Sorry but I find this really annoying for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Richox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Richox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richox)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/36 "2016-11-09T12:07:47Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > \ Mrs. SMV and me. > > Sorry but I find this really annoying for some reason. Is this an “official” English rule, or is it just popular convention? Even only locally? I was always taught “and I” ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/37 "2016-11-09T12:16:46Z")
> [@Richox](#): > > Is this an “official” English rule, or is it just popular convention? Even only locally? I was always taught “and I” Leave out “Mrs. SMV” and the grammar should be clearer: “had _me_ hanging on every word.” ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/38 "2016-11-09T12:31:17Z")
> [@Richox](#): > > Is this an “official” English rule, or is it just popular convention? Even only locally? I was always taught “and I” It is. The rule is that it is supposed to be “Jake and I went to the store” rather than “Me and Jake went to the store” or “Jake and me went to the store” and people generalize too much and think “Jake and me” is never correct. **snoe** is right - you check the usage by leaving out the other person. You would never say " Me went to the store, so it’s "Jake and I ". ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/39 "2016-11-09T15:39:06Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Maybe the President doesn’t want every Tom Dick and Harry with a burger joint to have his credit card number. But it’s ok if Best Buy has it. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saQhEar\_jvA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saQhEar_jvA) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975/40 "2016-11-09T19:35:07Z")
> [@Richox](#): > > Is this an “official” English rule, or is it just popular convention? Even only locally? I was always taught “and I” I is correct when it’s the subject; me is correct when it’s the object. So you say _“Jake and I went to the store”_ and _“Mom drove Jake and me to the store.”_ Bob++ was correct; it should be _“he had Mrs. SMV and me hanging on his every word.”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-president-get-paid/770975.md?page=3)