With mobile computing, cell phones, etc you no longer have to be in the white house to run the county. You know that right? Hell they dont even need to be in Washington. Its not exactly quantum physics, that we're talking about here. This is the 21st centry its easy to do all of your normal work from remote locations. Not that my job is anywhere near as important as running a nation, but I mobile commute all the time. If this was 1905 then I could see the need for either the Pres or VP to be at the white house at all times, but its not.... Obviously. Do you really think GW doesnt have all the assests at his Ranch needed to do the job. I'd even guess he has a big red Nuke button there too. Times change, the way the world works changes along with it. The questions of where is "Insert Name Here"? Why isnt he at his desk? No longer apply. Even on a government leadership level.