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President Obama just joined Twitter

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RT if you like Obamacare

By Ross Miller
Pool/Getty Images

Welcome to Twitter, @POTUS. After six years of talking through @WhiteHouse (and of course his own account @BarackObama), the President of the United States now has an official Twitter account — blue checkmark and everything — dedicated to his job. "Hello, Twitter! It's Barack. Really! Six years in, they're finally giving me my own account," read Obama's inaugural tweet (sent via Twitter for iPhone).

Presumably, the account will pass on to whoever wins next year's election, but for now, it's being framed as a direct line from Obama to your Timeline.

An official White House blog post clarifies the purpose:

The @POTUS Twitter account will serve as a new way for President Obama to engage directly with the American people, with tweets coming exclusively from him. President Obama is committed to making his Administration the most open and participatory in history, and @POTUS will give Americans a new venue to engage on the issues that matter most to them.

So no more needing to sign tweets "-bo" since all tweets will be from him. Enjoy the three extra characters, Mr. President.

Of the 65 accounts @POTUS is following, there are various government accounts, a handful of past presidents including Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush (George W. Bush doesn't seem to have an account), FLOTUS, and of course various Chicago sports teams. That part will almost certainly change by the end of next year, so @ChicagoBulls, be sure to abuse your DM privileges while you can.

Okay, brands... activate!

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