Email to the chief: A symbol of elite access

It's probably the most select email list in the world--the one on President Barack Obama's BlackBerry.

There will be no spam coming to the president's hand-held device, or messages from the likes of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) or even members of the Cabinet, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Vice President Joseph Biden will have the address, along with his own secret BlackBerry. The list will include Obama's chief of staff, some of his top advisers and a few of his oldest friends from Chicago.

The New York Times reports that Obama was spotted last week trying out his new BlackBerry--or actually a more sophisticated encrypted variation.

Aides say that he uses a computer in the study next to the Oval Office, but that he has agreed to limit the number of people he would send email.

For decades, the capital scoured state dinner invitation lists and Camp David visitor logs for clues to who was in and who was out.  With his BlackBerry email list, Obama has created a new measure for Washington to judge who really has the ear, or the thumb of the president.

For more on Obama's BlackBerry:
 - see this New York Times article