White House social secretary Rogers resigning

[KoKo]

Source: AP/Yahoo News

White House social secretary Rogers resigning
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press Writer Darlene Superville, Associated Press Writer 1 hr 42 mins ago


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100227/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_white_house_desiree_rogers/print

WASHINGTON – White House social secretary Desiree Rogers is stepping down three months after an uninvited couple crashed the Obama administration's first state dinner and she was heavily criticized for her role in allowing the embarrassing episode to happen.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama issued a statement Friday thanking their longtime friend from their days together in Chicago for the "terrific job she's done" organizing more than 330 events in little more than a year in the post.

They indicated no reason for the departure, effective sometime next month after a transition period.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said a short time later that Rogers was neither forced out nor asked to leave. He also said he didn't think the dustup over the state dinner factored into her decision.

"She's decided it's time to go back to doing other things that she loves," Gibbs said.

Rogers' handling of the Nov. 24 state dinner came under fire after a celebrity-seeking northern Virginia couple got into the exclusive South Lawn affair without a formal invitation, despite heavy White House security. As social secretary, Rogers was in charge of the event.
-snip-
Rogers later acknowledged not having staff from her office at security checkpoints to help identify guests, a departure from the practice in previous administrations. Lawmakers had demanded that she testify about her handling of the event, and one wanted to subpoena her. The White House would not allow her to testify, citing the constitutional separation of powers.

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan told Congress that normal security protocols were not followed, and three officers were put on administrative leave following the breach in what normally is tight White House security.


UPDATE:
JULIANNA SMOOT: Desiree Rogers' Social Secretary Replacement

Julianna Smoot joined the Office of the United States Trade Representative in February 2009 as the Chief of Staff.


Prior to joining the USTR, Ms. Smoot served as Senior Advisor to President Obama and served as Co-Chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. In January 2007, Ms. Smoot joined President Obama's Presidential Campaign as the National Finance Director. Prior to working for President Obama, Ms. Smoot served as National Finance Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, chaired by Senator Charles Schumer.

Previously, Ms. Smoot served as Senior Advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and as Finance Director for Senator John Edwards' race for U.S. Senate. Ms. Smoot has also held positions with Senator Richard Durbin and Senator Chris Dodd.

Julianna Smoot, a North Carolina native, received her Bachelor's Degree in Government from Smith College in Northampton , MA .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26/julianna-smoot-desiree-ro_n_478717.html





Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100227/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_white_house_desiree_rogers/print

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[penndragon69]

1. Time to Impeach

President obama for this clear threat to national security.

But the GOP / Acorn pimp daddy should be set free
because he is a true patriot!


Sorry....i just had to say what the refugs are thinking!

[Joanie Baloney]

2. Thinking like them

will cause giant green moles to spurt from your ear lobes and everyone will avert their eyes when they see you coming.

Please....think of the children!!

:wtf:

[ChicagoSuz219]

3. When we hear what her next job is...

...we'll know why she left. This isn't about the State dinner. If it was, she would've been gone by sunrise.

[KoKo]

4. Agree..it's interesting to Google "Smoot" who will replace her.

I wonder what it's all about.