Behold the new White House Social Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President…
Today the White House Press Office released this statement…
The White House today announced Julianna Smoot has been named Deputy Assistant to the President and Social Secretary. She joins the White House staff from the office of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, where she serves as Chief of Staff.
“Julianna shares our commitment to creating an inclusive, dynamic and culturally vibrant White House, and Michelle and I are pleased to have her join our team,” the President said.
“I am humbled and excited to take on the role of White House Social Secretary and support the Obama administration in a different capacity,” said Julianna Smoot. “Over the last year, I have had the honor of building relationships in the international community through my work at USTR, and I am looking forward to implementing this experience at the White House.”
“Julianna Smoot brings extraordinary organization and people skills to the role, and sharp attention to detail – all attributes critical to the highly complex responsibilities of the White House Social Secretary. I know that she will continue on the path of creating beautiful events and opening up the White House in new and creative ways that have been established this past year. I’m pleased to welcome her to the East Wing,” said Susan Sher, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.
A native of North Carolina, Smoot has worked in and out of Washington. Prior to joining the Administration, Smoot served as finance director for the Obama Campaign. She has also worked for Senators Schumer, Durbin, Reid and Rockefeller.
Guess I should’ve sent in my resume the day after the White House gate crasher debacle. Like I said before anyone who’s gone to charm school or planned a dinner party can be the White House Social Secretary. Who couldn’t plan an awesome party with a staff the size of a small army?
I hate to see Desiree Rogers leave her post for several reasons. As a Chicagoan I was kind of digging the whole Chicago on the Potomac feel we were getting from the First Lady and Rogers. I was also looking forward to, after the Obama White House years, Rogers releasing a series of books, like Letitia Baldridge but with a more modern universal flair, about social graces and her years in the White House. I was so ready for Desiree Roger’s Comprehensive Guide to Executive Etiquette. What a wonderful read that would have been, from a woman that is a mother, a once high level corporate executive, and White House Social Secretary. What a fitting legacy that would have been for 2 Black women to leave in the White House. I guess some old girls networks are never meant to be infiltrated and some lines are never to be crossed.
Now all the anti-Desiree people can rest a little bit easier she’s out and the Social Secretary’s job is in more “capable” hands. There’s just one thing, Michelle Obama is still the First Lady. I know what the anti-Desiree people are saying – that’s nothing that 2012 can’t fix. Sadly they may be correct because until this administration learns how to build and keep intact its key players, in the face of all opposition, 2012 will mark the end of the road and just like many times before all that will be left are memories and no tangible gains.
Posted by Aminah Hanan
