Part IV: Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett
Ed Klein's Blood Feud portrays Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett as the power behind the president's throne. They control access to the president, they have the final say on who he appoints in the executive branch, and these two women shape policy. They are ambitious for Barack Obama and also for themselves. Ed Klein tells us they have already laid plans for their career after the end of Obama's presidency. Both women despise the Clintons and have been the driving force behind the feud from the Obama corner.
Michelle and Valerie have so much influence over the president because he trusts them both completely. They have been the closest women to him personally over the years. Sources close to the Obama family told Ed Klein that both women are mother figures who provide the maternal need Barack never got from his own mother - a globe trotter who often left him alone with extended family members for long periods of time.
Like Barack's own mother, Michelle's love is conditional (much like Bill's love for Hillary); he feels he must achieve great things in politics to earn her affection and praise. They sleep in separate rooms in the White House and also on vacation. They travel separately on vacation and frequently take separate vacations.
Michelle is a control freak who's constantly harping on Barack over all details of daily life, big and small. He doesn't seem to mind. He says, "She keeps me focused." Yet, she is often unsympathetic to his emotional needs and always shows him tough love.
Valerie Jarrett on the other hand gives Obama affection (platonic, as far as anyone knows). She has been his preeminent political adviser since the Chicago days and is a household member of the Obamas in the West Wing. She sleeps in the Lincoln room and dines with the First Family most evenings. Barack and Michelle go to her to solve marital disputes arising between them and for general emotional support. She listens to their needs affectionately.
The Obamas look to Valerie Jarrett for advice on all matters personal and political. She feeds their disdain for the Clintons. Klein's sources tell of late night chats in which Michelle and Valerie gossip about Hildebeest (their nickname for Hillary Clinton). Jarrett and the Obamas have never forgiven Bill Clinton for his personal corruption and his betrayal of left-wing causes during his own presidency. They reject all advice from people they deem Clintonian.
Valerie Jarrett fought strenuously against David Plouffe's case to recruit Bill Clinton for the 2012 campaign. She gave way after her feelers to Oprah Winfrey were refused. Nevertheless, Jarrett told Barack, "Promise Clinton anything, but you're the president. You make the rules." When it's over, "give him nothing."
Hillary Clinton tells her friends that Valerie Jarrett practically runs the Obama administration. One day, she and Bill paid a visit to Caroline Kennedy after she'd been asked by Obama to serve as ambassador to Japan. Caroline asked Hillary for advice on how to succeed with her new superiors in the state department. Hillary told a shocked Kennedy that the state department people are irrelevant in this administration. She said, "You'll take your orders from Valerie Jarrett," adding, "and she's not shy."
Valerie Jarrett's aides have leaked information to Ed Klein about her's and Michelle's future plans. One option under consideration is the Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate that will be opening-up in 2016. The First Lady is considering a run for that office and Valerie Jarrett is already building Michelle's resume by lobbying friendly Democrats in Congress to attach her name to bills allowing the First Lady to have a legislative record by the time she leaves the White House.
That a successful Senate run may develop into presidential prospects for Michelle Obama has not been lost on Jarrett and the Obamas. During Clinton's tense golf game with Obama in which Barack asked the former president to campaign for him in 2012, Bill made it clear that Hillary had her sights set for 2016. After an agonizingly awkward silence, Barack Obama told Bill Clinton, "You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate." Bill Clinton barely contained his disgust at Barack Obama equating Michelle as a contender for the presidency on par with Hillary. Whatever Michelle's plans post-2016 may be, Valerie Jarrett has indicated she will continue as a major partner.
Next time, we will discuss Barack Obama and the final thoughts of Ed Klein's absorbing book.
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