Friend of The Obamas To Be Social Secretary; Naming of Rogers Will Raise Profile of White House Post

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

Desirée Rogers, a prominent Chicago businesswoman and Harvard MBA, will be named the first African American White House social secretary, sources in the presidential transition office said yesterday. Rogers, 49, is a friend of Michelle and President-elect Barack Obama's, and a leader in Chicago corporate and civic circles; her appointment signals that the first couple consider the job crucial to how they introduce themselves to the country and the globe. She was a major fundraiser for Obama.

"This appointment sends a strong message that the Obamas want to use the White House strategically, to maximize its use in a way that is consistent with their philosophy -- (to) open it to a broader range of people," said Valerie Jarrett, an Obama intimate and friend of Rogers's who also will work in the White House. "Desirée is a heavy hitter -- she comes with her own range of contacts from around the country. She's close to Michelle and she knows everyone who will be working in the West Wing, so she will be able to create a synergy."

The position of social secretary is more influential and far-reaching than the title might suggest. Although the job is associated with working with the first lady and with entertaining -- and best known for staging state dinners for heads of countries -- the social secretary's office is responsible for every event or ceremony that occurs in the White House or on the grounds. The day after the inauguration, for example, Rogers will be responsible for organizing the swearing-in of the Cabinet. Ann Stock, a social secretary in the Clinton White House, was once charged with pulling together the signing of the historic Mideast peace agreement in four days, for 4,000 guests.

"It's like running a small agency," said Stock, who briefed Rogers on the job last week. "Her business savvy, her marketing skills will all come into play. Her close relationship with the Obamas is very important because she comes to the job already understanding their preferences."...

Rogers will come to the White House from Allstate Financial, where she was hired last summer to create a social network of consumers and clients for the mammoth business. Prior to that, Rogers was the president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, a $2 billion utility that she had headed since 2004; she worked at the company starting in 1997 as its chief marketing officer. In the early '90s, she was director of the Illinois Lottery. She received her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College, and her daughter is a student at Yale....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/23/AR2008112302555.html?nav%3Dhcmodule&sub=AR

[Ysabela]

1. Am I reading too much into this line...

said Valerie Jarrett, an Obama intimate and friend of Rogers's who also will work in the White House.

-
Seems to me the WaPo could have easily said 'an Obama advisor' or 'Obama appointee', but chose the word 'intimate' instead to describe an African-American female coworker of Obama's. Does that strike anyone else as odd? Has the right-wing campaign started to insinuate through various, almost subliminal plays of words that Obama could be an unfaithful husband?

Maybe it's just me, but I'm keeping my eyes open for the character assassination to start in full force.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I don't think anything like that was meant. Both Obamas are really close...

to Valerie Jarrett and so she's much more than an adviser or appointee -- and, at the risk of sounding sexist myself, Valerie doesn't strike me as a sexpot/homewrecker type.

But, I hear ya, Ysabela -- welcome to DU!!!

[Ysabela]

3. 'Family friend' would have worked as well.

The word 'intimate' just strikes me as an intentional double entendre use, given the source is the WaPo. Maybe I'm just nuts.

[aquart]

5. Thank you for your concern.

And welcome to DU. I'm impressed that the first thing you do here is imply that Obama is cheating on his wife.

[FlaGranny]

6. Huh? Where did she say that?

Being concerned about the paper using "suggestive" terminology is not the same as implying cheating.

[Posteritatis]

11. Where exactly did that happen? s/he's *complaining* about the word choice (nt)

[aquart]

4. Thank you for your concern.

[davidinalameda]

7. probably

[goforit]

8. You're reading way too much into it.

It certainly doesn't mean they never knew each other.
Don't be overly sensitive.

[kskiska]

9. Yes

IN'TIMATE,a.
1. Inmost; inward; internal; as intimate impulse.
2. Near; close.
He was honored with an intimate and immediate admission.
3. Close in friendship or acquaintance; familiar; as an intimate friend; intimate acquaintance.
IN'TIMATE, n. A familiar friend or associate; one to whom the thoughts of another are entrusted without reserve.

[qwlauren35]

10. "Intimate" means what it means, here.

Not everyone understands the meaning of the word "friend" anymore. So "intimate" is used. It's sort of like saying "as close as kin". Jarrett is an anomaly in that she's a close personal friend of the Obamas, and a woman, and also has a political position that will afford her unparalleled access to the President.

All things considered, Michelle must trust this woman with every bone in her body.

Because there shall be no "Monica"s in THIS administration. Believe it.