Obama Names Valerie Jarrett Senior White House Advisor

President-elect Barack Obama has formally named his friend Valerie Jarrett to be a senior adviser in the White House. Her official title will be "senior advisor and assistant to the President for Inter-government relations and Public Liaison in the Obama White House," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet.

Jarrett is a co-chair of Obama's transition team and was a top advisor to him during the presidential campaign.

From Lynn Sweet's report:

Jarrett, 51, a Hyde Park resident, is a veteran of Chicago's City Hall who went on to become the CEO of The Habitat Company, a major Chicago real estate firm as well as serving on a variety of civic and corporate boards. [...] Joining the campaign while still juggling her Habitat duties, Jarrett functioned as a friend--dining with Obama and other pals before a debate--as a top surrogate for the fund-raising drive--and as an advisor, often with Obama on the campaign plane.

Jarrett's White House role may be similar to the one played by Karen Hughes in President Bush's first term, the Washington Post speculates, "providing political advice while keeping him grounded."

Comments

[keithjosef]

Valerie's maternal great-grandfather Robert Taylor Sr. graduated from M.I.T. and was an architect. He worked closely with Booker T. Washington and designed most of Tuskegee Institute's buildings. Her great-grandmother, Beatrice Rochon Taylor, was from a prominent Louisiana Creole family.

[movecenter]

Valerie is impressive. Always glad to hear key members of the Obama team will work with him in some capacity in the White House. They will bring their winning pragmatism to the White House.

[Okieborn]

A GREAT CHOICE !!
!!
A very intelligent and caring lady !!!

[RobertAndropolis]

Not noted here is Ms. Jarrett is Iranian by birth, which is at once a saavy manuever by Obama for diplomacy and yet more nutzoid fodder for the white supremist morons who still think he's a Muslim (at last count 46% of Texans believe Obama to be Muslim).

[Satan-On-A-Stick]

Both her parents were American citizens living in Iran while working for the US Department of State. She is a American.

[dtghope]

A very impressive individiual; she is clearly quite intelligent and thougtful, and her speaking style is very calm and reassuring. A strong asset in President Obama's Whitehouse.

[schicklett3]

Valerie Jarrett is a wonderful woman and has done much good for many many people.
I congratulate her and wish her the best.

[JohnKevari]

KEVARI SNOWFLAKES

TO ALL NATIVES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OVER THE AGE OF 45

Doesn't Valerie Jarrett look like Hobo Kelly?

[shockwave11]

I'm under 45 but I vaguely remember her so I went to youtube...and yep you're right, especially the hair. I also vaguely remember something about magic glasses. Either way you made me laugh with this comment.

[merle7]

JOHN EDWARDS A POVERTY CZAR GIVE HIM A FEW BILLION OF THE BAILOUT MONEY AND LET HIM GET TO WORK!!!!!!

[concernvoter]

Congratulation, Ms Jarrett

[harriettubman]

Someone he can trust close by too. She's more than qualified!!!

[imnoone]

Ms. Jarrett has appeared a number of times on cable, representing the Obama campaign and I have never seen her stumble. She never gets frazzled when confronted by Republicans. She never shows anger. She not only represents Obama well, but she represents the Obama composure. If this Obama Administration lasts, Ms. Jarrett might have more than one position in it. This Chicago Clan is something to behold!

[SF13]

She seems intelligent to me. Perhaps more important she seems reasonable. I just hope he chooses more like this and a whole lot less like Clinton. Clinton scares me to death.

[SF13]

I don't think we know her well enough to say but she IS a very influential person over the Obama's both Barack and Michelle.

[DWP]

She seemed like a good spokesman. He needs someone who has been a friend for a long time to be in that position.

[Scott1560]

She's probably a great friend, but as a spokesperson, well.........saying that President Obama will "rule" rather than govern is not a great way to get things rolling. Isn't that the sort of thing that many were led to believe would change?

And why is there a space-cadet on the transition team? Podesta?

[doctorwang]

It's better than having a space cadet as the VP. Palin?

[dcoxucla]

Valerie Jarrett---THIS STILLCAN BE THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN

[pupbayer]

No, really it isn't and it can't.