Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

In Jarrett, Wall St. Finds Direct Line to Obama

Firms salute efforts of White House 'consigliere'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 16, 2009 10:55 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Valerie Jarrett wears many hats in the White House: “If there’s a consigliere, it’s Valerie,” says the head of President Obama’s transition team. Lately, however, the longtime family friend has chiefly been Obama’s ambassador to big business, Bloomberg reports. She “picks the brains” of executives from Wall Street to Disney—and they appreciate the connection. She’s a “tremendous asset” to the president, says American Express’ CEO.

“Valerie’s the one person down there who can get some of those competing ideas and different perspectives into the president, which is really what he wants,” adds Citigroup’s CEO. Jarrett brings her own business experience to the table, but at daily meetings on the economy, she says she lends the perspective of “someone who’s not as close to it perhaps as the people who are living and breathing it.”

Valerie Jarrett, right, at the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday.
Valerie Jarrett, right, at the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama speaks March 11, 2009, prior to signing an executive order. At left is senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.
President Barack Obama speaks March 11, 2009, prior to signing an executive order. At left is senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.   (AP Photo)
Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, looks on during the signing of the SCHIP legislation at the White House, Feb. 4, 2009.
Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, looks on during the signing of the SCHIP legislation at the White House, Feb. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Snowleopard
Apr 16, 2009 5:29 AM CDT
Obama's falling prey to the same group think that doomed the bush administration, but he's surrounded by the elite of the financial industry instead of the neocon hawks.
psycada
Apr 16, 2009 4:14 AM CDT
Thanks for clearing this up. the nation's corporations have a direct line to the President, yet the American people don't. The closest citizens can get to the presidents ear is through his BS Town Hall meetings where he requests questions from constituents, then laughs them off. Obama showed on that day who he is more concerned about and that he was just payiong the citizens lip service by allowing us to submit and vote on the questions to be asked of him. Our forefather's warned us against allowing the government to get cozy with corporations. History does and will repeat itself.

A Jarrett profile
New York Times

Jarrett fights for Olympics in Chicago
Chicago Defender

 
Wall Street • White House • business • adviser • ambassador • Valerie Jarrett • big business • Obama administration • President Obama

More Newser Stories

Rahm Emanuel May Head for Exit

In Blog Post, White House Blasts Fox News

Obama's Best Pal Keeps Him in Line

Valerie Jarrett: Obama's Consigliere

Obama Creates White House Women's Council
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne