Let me look into my crystal ball to predict the fishing expeditions that are about to occur with the news about Jackie Norris resigning as the First Lady’s Chief of Staff. I have no doubt that the Michele Milkens of the world will be twisting and turning this story to provide evidence that the First Lady is hard to work for or with, demanding, and nothing like her public persona. I am sure that the Michelle Obama-haters are chomping at the bits to learn the back story – the real deal – the dirt as to why Norris resigned. Oh well…what else is new? But, of course, I could be wrong and this story will blow over like the still of the night. Yes. I could be wrong…but, I doubt it.
Anyway, it is true that Jackie Norris did resign as the First Lady’s Chief of Staff. From everything I have read thus far, Norris’s decision to resign was mutual as she did not like the management and scheduling duties, and the intense social component of the job. Norris moves on to serve as the Senior Advisor to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
A Politico source is quoted as saying:
The first lady and Jackie remain very close. Jackie got the job because Michelle loves her and wanted somebody that she could trust, and liked a great deal, in the job. It’s no coincidence that she’s going to a government agency that Michelle Obama really cares a great deal about, and that is in an area where Michelle is extraordinarily active — national service and those issues. Jackie is going to be much happier.
Norris has been replaced by longtime Michelle Obama friend and mentor, Susan Sher. While at the University of Chicago, Sher was Michelle’s boss and has been providing legal advice to the Obama administration as well as working on a health care policy. Sher has been donned the “Michelle’s Valerie” comparing her to Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President.
Now, that’s the deal. I doubt that there are any smoking mirrors or guns. I doubt that there is any more to this story that will prove that the First Lady is some diabolical woman who cares only about herself. I doubt it – but, I must admit that I can’t wait to see just how the spin-masters spin their own webs of deception. Well see….
Posted by SjP of Sojourner’s Place.
10 Comments, Comment or Ping
rikyrah
I’ve said it before: I don’t know why Norris got the job in the first place. Don’t know her; know nothing about her. I only know if I had a ‘ Chief -of-Staff’, it would be someone that I TRUSTED. Not someone that I just met.
The new COS and The First Lady go ‘ way back’. I will forever contend that only someone who goes ‘ way back’ with you should have gotten that job in the first place.
Jun 6th, 2009
admin
The story that is out is that Norris didn’t like the bureaucracy that is the White House. I can EASILY believe that. Campaigning and administering are two different things.
Jun 6th, 2009
admin
I am laughing that you caught the fact that I pull out the praying hands Michelle on the tomfoolery posts
Jun 6th, 2009
jesse villarreal
I think that a woman that has achived a level of education and has worked in the upper echelons of big bussiness as the First Lady Michelle Obama has, has a certain standard on how things should be done hat has verved her well in achiving her goals in life and has carried those organizational skills in all aspects of her work , personal and family life and requires a person that can handle the rigors of such a high standard of excellence 24-7, better for her former Chief of staff to bow out gracefully now ,and allow someone who has a greater ability to keep up with Mrs. Obama and a person who can meet the challenges of such a high profile First Lady, who is a professional ,highly educated woman that is secure and has such inner strenght . Mrs. Obama has risen the bar of excellence and now needs a Chief of Staff to meet that challenge.
Jun 6th, 2009
Anna Evans
I think Michelle like a clever woman got over it. Anyway this lady have a gift to make people felt in love with her,so time will show…:)
Jun 6th, 2009
icebergslim
I agree with Rikryah.
I am not surprised at the move.
COS in this type of job is about knowing someone, in this case, each other. The synch just was not there.
Jun 6th, 2009
pepper
The media is just desperate to make Michelle seem difficult or hard to work with so they can play their angry black woman stereotype. They are looking for something that is not there.
Jun 6th, 2009
SjP
@ Admin, yep! I caught it! LOL
Jun 6th, 2009
J Boud
Jackie is a very nice lady but she has got little children and the schedule at the White House is too demanding for anyone with little children. She asked to be given a job elsewhere where she can work 8 hours a day rather than 14. That’s pretty much it.
Jun 6th, 2009
Alsace
One aspect I haven’t seen much discussed is the particular abilities the two women, Norris and Sher, might bring to such a media-intense First Lady-ship as Michelle Obama’s. I don’t know much about Norris, but I’ve spent time in Iowa. It’s definitely a “small town” state. The more intimate ways of doing things there may not have been as well suited to the needs of the East Wing as the “big city” skills of a Sher, who operated in Chicago.
Another issue may be the liaison among various East Wing offices needed for things to go smoothly. Sher is friendly with Desiree and Valerie. They all come from Chicago and now even live in the same DC apartment complex. Altogether it seems a better fit for the years ahead.
Jun 6th, 2009