Desiree Rogers obviously has important friends in the Obama administration.
As social secretary, Rogers has been under fire in recent days for the security breach by two uninvited gate crashers at the state dinner.
Although previous administrations stationed staff at Secret Service checkpoints during such functions, Rogers did not. That she attended the dinner as a guest rather than as working hostess has riled many, including the Washington elite.
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, a close friend, has said that all questions regarding Rogers’ role have been answered. However, she conceded that White House employees should have been at the gate, working with the Secret Service.
“We have done our own analysis and review and (concluded) that we could have done a better job,” she told MSNBC.
Although Rep. Peter King, ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, has said he wants to subpoena Rogers, press secretary Robert Gibbs has said she will not be made available for questioning.
“The president, the first lady, and the entire White House staff are grateful for the job that she does and think she has done a terrific and wonderful job pulling off a lot of big and important events here at the White House,” Gibbs told reporters.
Politico describes the administration’s response as “an unprecedented show of support.”
Rogers’ relationship with the Obamas goes way back.
They have been close friends for decades; Rogers was married to another good friend of the couple, John W. Rogers Jr. She and her ex-husband were fundraisers for the campaign.
Desiree Rogers left a corporate job at Allstate Financial to join the administration. Prior to the move, she was a major player in Chicago business and civic circles.
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3 Comments
#1. Tsia Nunez 12.04.2009
Desiree Rogers has NOT BEEN a long time friend of the Obamas. She is NARCISSITIC and most of the people in Chicago know that her interests are historically selfish. She has completely won the Obamas over for her own personal gain through wealthy connections. I’s not their fault. They were introduced through trusted sources. While Rogers has skills..but her head is too big. Rogers I’m sure feels she is above “employee” status-regal in her own right and such items are beneath her. Rumour has it that she will continue to embarass the Obamas because she is unable to see beyond her own nose.
#2. Pondoora 12.07.2009
John Rogers is at the center point from which longstanding social strands go out to Desiree, Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson (Michelle’s brother), Arne Duncan and President Obama. These longtime social ties are the reason that the Obamas protect Desiree and that Duncan,who has little relative experience in education (and only a bachelor’s degree in sociology), has been given his Dept. of Ed. job.
It was Rogers who gave Duncan his first-ever job upon returning from his basketball-playing days in Australia, as the director of Roger’s new education non-profit. Millionaires love to create non-profits so they can exert more personal influence within the community, hire their friends, and avoid paying taxes.
Rogers and Robinson knew each other from being on the Princeton basketball team together. Rogers and Duncan attended the same private school in Chicago (Chicago Lab School), and from playing basketball together for many years. Michelle met Obama at a law firm, and then brought him into this circle of friends. It worked out nicely for him b/c he plays basketball, too.
Rogers is very wealthy, politically connected, and influential in Chicago.
The Obama’s made a big mistake by hiring their friends, rather than searching for more qualified individuals.
#3. Pondoora 12.07.2009
Also, Sasha and Malia were being sent to the same elite private school (Chicago Lab), until they moved to DC.
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