Barack Obama News Blog

So last month SJP put up a post about the departure of Jackie Norris as First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chief of Staff. Norris said she was leaving because she felt too constrained. As a general practice anytime someone leaves a relatively high position in government, I assume there is a much more interesting back story that will eventually come out. Now that the back story is out, I am SO. NOT. SURPRISED It appears that Norris bumped heads with the charismatic and outspoken White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers and Norris LOST.

One early miscalculation on Norris’ s part was that she tried to take on Desiree Rogers, a close friend of the first lady, insisting that the social secretary report to her. The disagreement culminated in what one aide described as a “blowup.” Valerie Jarrett, aide to the president and a friend of both women, had to step in and smooth over a conflict that many thought should never have been engaged. “We brought in people with strong personalities and passions,” Norris said. “Disagreements are inevitable.” Source

Wow, who knew the Social Secretary was such a powerful position?

Anywhoo, I don’t think it reflects poorly on Norris in anyway. Norris is only 37 years-old. She’ll bounce back in another position. I’m sure she learned a great deal during her time as Chief of Staff.

I’ll do another post on this article since they also confirmed one of the assumptions I made when we started this blog.

Posted by Gina