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Desiree out, Smoot in: White House names new social secretary
rominent Democratic Party fundraiser Julianna Smoot will replace Desiree Rogers as social secretary, the White House announced today in a statement.Rogers had taken heat after the White House's first state dinner was marred by the appearance of several gate-crashers who managed to elude the Secret Service and sneak into the exclusive gathering. Reports Fox, with some background on Smoot: Smoot served as national finance director for Obama's presidential campaign, helping raise $32.5 million during one quarter in 2007. She has also served as finance director for then-Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle and John Edwards' successful Senate bid in 1998. Heading off expected criticism of the new aide's fundraising background, a senior White House official told Fox News that the social secretary for former President George W. Bush, Lea Berman, also had a fundraising pedigree. Smoot's appointment comes just three months after an embarrassing security breakdown at a state dinner in which a celebrity-seeking couple from northern Virginia got into the exclusive Nov. 24 affair on the South Lawn without a formal invitation, despite heavy White House security. Posted by: Fred 2010-02-28 |
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