USA Today/ The Oval

By David Jackson

President Obama did something at the White House today he has never done, but which thousands of others have:

Walk through a metal detector -- which he set off.

After walking back across Pennsylvania Avenue from a holiday reception at the Blair House, Obama took a detour to the security checkpoint at the Northwest Gate and chatted with the security guards for a little bit.

After they explained how White House visitors clear security, Obama walked through a metal detector, which beeped apparently because of the presidential cellphone.

"I just wanted to see what it was like getting in here," Obama said.

From the pool report:

Pool was out of earshot during the president's two or three minute visit to the gate house but (radio talk show host) Bill Press was at the stakeout spot and generously passes along some color.

Obama: "I just wanted to see what it was like getting in here."

Bill Press: "Not so easy, is it?"

Obama, patting his pockets, as if for keys or phone: "I think I beeped a couple of times."

Afterward, Bill talked to agents:

Potus shook hands all around. Talked football, said he was Chicago Bears fan. Wanted to know how entry worked. Went through metal detector. Set it off. Guard told him he'd probably left cellphone in pocket.

See photos of: Barack Obama

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