"My Eyes and Ears"

One of my favorite Washington watchers, Robert Draper, has a can't miss piece in NYT Magazine about Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement. Jarrett is a long-time family friend of the Obamas, and is an integral part of President Barack Obama's inner circle, though with the lowest profile. She is to Obama what Karen Hughes was to George W. Bush.

In President Obama's words: "she’s someone I trust completely....She’s family — she combines the closeness of a family member with the savvy and objectivity of a professional businesswoman and public-policy expert. And that’s a rare combination to have. You know, there are other friends of mine who are close to me but who don’t really understand the nature of my work. There are others who are extraordinary experts in policy and politics but don’t have that track record with me.....[Jarrett is trusted] to speak for me, particularly when we’re dealing with delicate issues....[I can also rely on her] to monitor the dynamics inside the White House. She’s got a very good antenna about the disgruntled young staffer or tensions between a couple of principals."