Obama's Life With The Secret Service (SLIDESHOW)

President-elect Obama is still adjusting to life with the Secret Service and the loss of privacy that it entails. When Steve Croft spoke with him on Sunday's "60 Minutes," Obama said that "there are things we're still not adjusted to...like not being able to take a walk. That's something that I'll never get used to is loss of anonymity. And this is not a complaint, this is part of what you sign up for, but being able to just wander around the neighborhood. I can't go to my old barbershop now. I've got to have my barber come to some undisclosed location to cut my hair. It's the small routines of life that keep you connected. Some of those are being lost."

Newsweek just did a piece on what it's like to live with the Secret Service in tow, and among other fun facts, was this charming anecdote:

Presidents and their families quickly learn that even trips to the bathroom come with security precautions. Lyndon Johnson, never very subtle, had perhaps the most direct way of expressing his frustration. Once, after pulling his car over to the side of the road for a pit stop, agents quickly surrounded him as he relieved himself. A sudden breeze prompted one agent to alert the president, "Sir, you're pissing on my leg." Johnson, not budging, replied, "I know. That's my prerogative."

Watch a clip of the Obama interview and see a slideshow of Obama's life with the Secret Service.

SLIDESHOW:
(Photos from AP & Getty)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • Obama walks down the street in Independence, Missouri on June 30th.

VIDEO:

Comments

[sykadelic chic]

At one of the last campaign stops for the President-Elect I got to meet some Secret Service men up close, as they were checking us and the building and area out (he met some volunteers at a VFW hall) and even got checked by one with a seriously high-tech metal detector. They are -dedicated-, I've never seen one up close before then, but they definitely make you think "Men in Black", they had black suits, ties, white shirts, the sunglasses...the ones that were checking us out were nice and chatted a little bit - though they weren't very verbose, haha. They all stand like that guy in front of his house, too, I noticed, even when he's not around. Very very professional, at all times.

It was a surreal experience but very very neat.

[Kassam]

It's really a cool, I wish I had this facility.

[beaupritchard]

The odd thing is if you didn't know better you'd think Obama was the secret service agent guarding the other guy ... how cool is that.

[leftoflennon]

I like em.

[strandwolf]

I admire how O regrets the loss of his anonymity in his neighborhood--and elsewhere. A perception and emotion utterly foreign to a lowlife Brahmin like W.

[Z2221344]

If I was in that position (of a Secret Service agent), one of my major concerns would be overreacting to every little thing and tackling President Obama to the ground every time some little old lady reached into her purse.

[arizonastudent01]

I also like the pictures. Yes some of those SSA are fine! It seems they are so comfortable. Bless BO and the SSA and of course everyone.

[militarymomforobama]

I have been noticing the bald agent who is usually directly behind BO--he's in the picture of BO in Amman. What a delicious chunk of milk-chocolate he is!

[strandwolf]

Isn't that man Obama's personal assistant? If so, there was a recent story here at HuffPo about him.

[lisa010]

I gotta say - I got some crushes going on some of these guys! Now I even seek them out in pics and I'm wishing our President-elect would quit blocking the view. My fav is running guy, but I can certainly appreciate the others mentioned here. And, I'm sure they're mind candy too as I hear they're pretty brainy.

Also, I was concerned that these guys and gals are now potential targets due to this kind of publicity, but several posts answered this concern. Thanks!

Best to the SSs' families too!

[Chanel05]

I love the pictures. No worries! Barack Obama has the best protection on earth and in heaven. We are still praying for him, his lovely beautiful wife and daughters and all of his family.
God Bless the Secret Service Agents too! You are doing the world a great service!! And you are cute too!!

[ltva]

My, don't we have a handsome President-elect. Is it me or does the Secret Service agents appear to be enjoying their job? This is going to be a glorious 4 years for this country; and I hope another 4 in 2012. I get chill bumps whenever I see pics of Obama. I am just so happy and proud.

[Donthizz]

thank for protecting prez elect O secret service.

[NoSillyName]

I wonder what good some guy walking behind or ahead or wherever is gonna do. Sure if someone tried to jump on BHO to beat him up or stab him that'll help. But there are other unmentionable scenarios.

BHO needs a version of the PopeMobile.

[roch20]

Hey i got your point; but why insisting in using Obama's middle name, anything else that you wanted to say??? Ignorant!

[jimdog1954]

Be Nice. Barack Hussein Obama is the President-elect of the US, and saying his middle name is not a hateful act. Besides, NSN just used the initials.

[t squared]

His middle name is nothing of which to be ashamed.

This president, with any other name would still be as sweet!

=]

Seriously, as Gen Powell said (or some facsimile thereof) what is wrong with a 7yr old black Muslim boy in the Midwest wanting to be potus? isn't this america????

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!

[TLaw]

Some of you Americans have been brainwashed into believing that there is something wrong with the name Hussein. The name Hussein means beautiful one. Pefect name for President Obama if you ask me because he sure is a LOOKER! hehee....

[Grace0727]

I think it's more to just standing in front or behind Obama. The secret service has some highly intense gadgets. Their glasses can make them see from behind and they wear special listening ear plugs with highly sensitive sound that travels far. And before Obama exit's a building, vehicle or plane the secret service combs the area within the same proximity of the distance of a bullet. A shooting weapon can only shoot so far. Well, I'm no expert.. but lets not forget that they don't call them the Secret service for nothing. They are very smart, smart enough to do an entire background check on me just because I left this post. No Worries guys!! I'm clean I promise. lol..

[Mercy8 om]

I give deep thanks for the selfless sacrafice PE Obama is making for this country and for the same from the SSAs

[ArmyCentrist]

...and Lyndon Johnson was hilarious!

[ArmyCentrist]

I dated a SSA...he lived and breathed Reagan...that relationship didn't last long...

[xmw]

I guess there was no chance of that with the McCains.