Instead of opening to its regular home page, www.whitehouse.gov – the official website of the office of the presidency, not the 2012 Obama campaign site — now asks for your e-mail first. Skipping it is an option, of course.

But this way visitors can get “periodic updates from President Obama and other administration officials.”

Whew! Thank goodness they’re just “periodic updates” and none of those messages will be aimed at persuading Americans to reelect the president!