How many staffers does the first lady need?

1. 67

   Arthur Fontesposted 15 years ago

   I received this email this morning.  This Cannot be true Can it?
   
   
   "In my own life in my own small way, I have tried to give back to this country that has given me so much," she said. "See, that's why I left a job at a big law firm for a career in public service, "...
                                    Michelle Obama
   
   No, Michele Obama does not get paid to serve as the First Lady and she doesn't perform any official duties. But this hasn't deterred her from hiring an unprecedented number of staffers to cater to her every whim and to satisfy her every request in the midst of the Great Recession.
   
   Just think,  Mary Lincoln was taken to task for purchasing china for the White House during the Civil War. And Mamie Eisenhower had to shell out the salary for her personal secretary from her husband's salary.
   
   Total Personal Staff members for other first ladies paid by taxpayers:
   
                             Mamie Eisenhower:   One-- paid for personally out of President's salary.
                             Jackie Kennedy:         One
                             Roseline Carter:         One
                             Barbara Bush:            One
                             Hilary Clinton:          Three
                             Laura Bush:              One
                             Michele Obama:         Twenty-two
   
   
   How things have changed!  If you're one of the tens of millions of Americans facing certain destitution, earning less than subsistence wages stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart or serving up  McDonald cheeseburgers,prepare to scream and then come to realize that the benefit package for  these servants of Ms Michelle are the same as members of the national security and defense departments and the bill for these assorted lackeys is paid by YOU, John Q. Public:
   
   Michele Obama's personal staff:
   
   One..      $172,200 - Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)
   Two..      $140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and       Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)
   Three..    $113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary for Mrs. Obama)
   Four..      $102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (Special  Assistant to the President
                              and Director of Communications for the First Lady)
   Five..      $100,000 - Winter, Melissa (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
   Six..        $90,000  Medina , David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
   Seven..      $84,000 - Lilyveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)
   Eight..      $75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)
   Nine..      $70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Project for the First Lady)
   Ten..        $65,000 - Burnough, Erinn (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
   Eleven..    $64,000 - Reinstein, Joseph B.(Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
   Twelve..    $62,000 - Goodman,  Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)
   Thirteen..  $60,000  Fitz, Alan O.(Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director
                             for the First Lady)
   Fourteen..  $57,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)
   Fifteen...    $52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady)
   Sixteen..    $50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady)
   Seventeen..  $45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)
   Eighteen..  $43,000 - Tubman, Samanth a (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)
   Nineteen..  $40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
   Twenty..    $36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)
   Twenty-One.. $35,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)
   Twenty-Two.. $35,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of  Correspondence for the First Lady)
   (total    $1,591,200 in annual salaries)
   
   There has NEVER been anyone in the White House at any time who has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady's social life.
   
   One wonders why she needs so much help, at taxpayer expense.
   Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49,  and "First Hairstylist" Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe .
                     .

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Ken R. Abellposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Arthur, you have put forward facts that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that big government begets bigger government.
      
      And I wonder why I have strong libertarian leanings.
      
      This is beyond ludicrous.
      
      Michelle Obama requires one & one only staffer.

      replyreport
   2. 59

      JeniferDposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I saw that too.  I wrote a scathing commentary about this on Newsvine and man you should have seen the shitstorm I created!  LOL!!! Last I checked, only the Monarchy needed that many servants.  Our president has the audacity to chide the American people ion their spending habits and yet his missus is being waited on, hand-and-foot, by a rather large personal staff.
      
      I bet the kids are being pampered, too.  All the people out of work in this country and our POTUS wants to live like a king.  Nice example to set.
      
      When an elected official's standard of living does not reflect that of their constituent's, meaning they're living high-on-the-hog while the voters starve, there is something dreadfully wrong.

      replyreport
2. 78

   kirstenblogposted 15 years ago

   I wonder if she is still hiring!
   I could be her official hub writer!
   
   
   Seriously I wonder what exactly these aid's of hers do? Do they contribute in some way to creating this change her husband spoke of?
   
   If they are contributing in some way that is worth more then their paychecks then I have no problem, if however they are giving her hair style advice and such then WTF? Perhaps she and Ms. Blair should team up! That lady spent truck loads of money on hair styles and makeup and clothing and still was scary to look at

   replyreport
   1. 67

      Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The funniest thing is Hilary only had three staffers.

      replyreport
   2. 63

      RKHenryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      That is pretty pitiful.  However, should we list George Bush Sr.'s golfing fees?  I mean, seriously they all over spend.

      replyreport
3. 70

   Cagsilposted 15 years ago

   I think it's funny, because when you look at the payroll for those staffers and then you look at how they've done their job?
   
   You notice that the payroll was a complete waste of money.

   replyreport
4. 59

   Stimpposted 15 years ago

   She needs one more....a personal shopper and party planner....that's where i come in....at a cool $200K.

   replyreport
5. 0

   girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

   Laura Bush had much more than one staffer. I believe she had anywhere from 15 - 20, depending on the year. 
   
   This is not unprecedented...not sure why this is such a huge deal? It's totally misconstrued. Every First Lady has a personal staff comparable to Michelle Obama's.

   replyreport
6. 0

   girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

   First Ladies require more than one staff member. They actually do a LOT more than people realize; a LOT! Policy, philanthropy, etc.
   
   Did you know that the office makes every attempt to answer back all the letters/e-mails they receive from kids? That is a LOT of correspondence.
   
   I am a fiscal conservative and am all for cutting out waste. Maybe Michelle Obama's staff is a little bigger than Laura Bush's, but again - not by much. The First Lady's office does a lot of good for our country.
   
   If my boss would've won in '08, I think I would've requested to work in the First Lady's office. I really respect it and what it's all about.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      LegendaryHeroposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The first lady should need no staffers and should do nothing except stay out of the limelight. The people elect the president, they do not elect the first lady, therefore she should not get any benefits from his office.

      replyreport
7. 60

   Petra Vlahposted 15 years ago

   Could this be Mrs. Obama personal contribution to the goal of creating jobs?

   replyreport
8. 77

   Mikel G Robertsposted 15 years ago

   It seems to me that the 'First Lady' is somehow trying to become the 'Vice President' instead of the spouse of the President...
   {EDIT} I am not just talking about Mrs. Obama, but many of the president's spouses in recent history.

   replyreport
9. 61

   mikelongposted 15 years ago

   The original poster did not present facts....this was part of an email that has been widely distributed, and already debunked....
   
   
   How many staffers did George W. Bush's wife have?
   
   
   "Lelyveld said that Michelle Obama’s staff was actually no different than that of her predecessor, Laura Bush. "[W]e have exactly the same staff number as Mrs. Bush and our office organization reflects a similar staffing model, so insinuations otherwise are wrong," she said. Lelyveld said that the White House’s "personnel records indicate" that there were 24 staffers for Laura Bush at some point. We were able to verify at least 18 staffers for Laura Bush, as of June 30, 2008.."
   
   http://m.factcheck.org/2009/08/michelle-obamas-staff/
   
   
   
   Think people.......

   replyreport
   1. 64

      Daddy Paulposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      It sounds like government waste has been going on for a long time. I thought we elected a president not a king.

      replyreport
10. 0

    Madame Xposted 15 years ago

    Well, Obama did say he was going to reduce unemployment

    replyreport
11. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

    She lost my respect when she blabbed out how she was never proud of America until she got what she wanted. A typical  selfish twit! As far as I'm concerned she shoud have one of her possey duct tape her mouth.

    replyreport
12. 0

    A Texanposted 15 years ago

    Exactly why does the First Lady have an office? Has she been elected to something? Isn't her job to be the wife of the President and just shut the hell up? If not it should be!

    replyreport
13. 0

    china manposted 15 years ago

    I have no idea or opinion about your First Lady - I am however amazed at how people respond to spurious email information, little more than political hate mail, which is clearly not true. Yet nobody seemed to even notice your previous administration making unbelievable sums of money from the war that they created themselves. Or the way that this money has been invested outside of America, the blatant stealing of money from America.  But I guess having your world stage representative chained to the kitchen sink is more important.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       A Texanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Chained to the sink? There is a lot in between not having an active role in our government because she has not been elected to anything and being chained to a sink!
       
       But, hell why not, chain her up!

       replyreport
       1. 0

          china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          g.morning Tex - did I miss anything special over (my) night ?? 

          replyreport
          1. 0

             A Texanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Not that I'm aware of.

             replyreport
    2. 0

       LegendaryHeroposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Do you have any proof of the last administration making "unbelievable" sums of money from the war?

       replyreport
       1. 0

          A Texanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Proof, this is Hubpages forums who needs proof?

          replyreport
          1. 0

             LegendaryHeroposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I do. If someone is going to make claims, I need proof.

             replyreport
       2. 0

          china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          It is all out in the open for you to find and well talked about elsewhere so I am sure you can google it yourself. Check out the companies who made the money from arms, oil contracts, security contracts, and the so called reconstruction contracts. Then when you find out that this is the reason why one of the biggest players resigned - check out where he keeps your money.

          replyreport
          1. 0

             LegendaryHeroposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I tried researching it, but I had trouble finding anything about the Bush administration making money off the war. Could you provide me with where you got your information? Also, I don't see what the companies have to do with Bush administration.

             replyreport
             1. 0

                china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                I just watched it go past me really, it came up as part of the information gathered for an economics class - but I will try to find it.  In the meantime - the information came connected to the guy who resigned, or was he pushed, Cheney I think, or maybe the other major handler of Bush.

                replyreport
             2. 54

                Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                You won't find any illegal profiteering related to the administration. For 8 years every greasy lawyer and democrat operative in DC dreamed of making their career off of 'getting' Bush et. al. and they couldn't. It's all bitter partisan nonsense and empty charges.

                replyreport
             3. 0

                china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Is Cheney Betting On Economic Collapse?
                
                By MIKE WHITNEY
                http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney07052006.html
                
                While this site is more than a little wildly outspoken we found that the links and info that they give seemed to hold up pretty well. There were also other similar but different things that came up in the groups research for a presentation.  The presentation started out being about house prices in China but slid across to the main issue of the value of the dollar and Euro against the RMNB.

                replyreport
14. 59

    JeniferDposted 15 years ago

    Michelle Obama is a political diva.  She's a spoiled little Nubian Princess who feels entitled to live like a queen at the expense of the American tax payer.  Barry really needs to rein in her demands, she ain' the Queen of Norway ya know!

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       You really think Barack is going to say anything to her? She'd break him like a twig.

       replyreport
15. 72

    lorlie6posted 15 years ago

    As many as she wants.

    replyreport
16. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    No Sad...you just have to look at Dick Cheney's Halliburton stock options......they are widely published....
    
    
    This is an example of conflict of interest....but it is the ongoing legacy of the United States........business in cahoots with government one using the other as the tool...and the latter being the tool.....along with those who vote blindly without thinking about the consequences....or those who, like those here who criticize the President's wife, had blinders on since 2000 and don't see that they're proving hypocrisy....
    
    
    Oh well...they can stay in the cave....
    
    I have an article on Cheney in the works....people tout him as a "business man".....yeah...its nice to become the CEO of Halliburton after spending 20 plus years in government, in as the Secretary of Defense, and otherwise....
    
    China man, as usual, you are on point...

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "No Sad..."
       
       
       Are you still having trouble with spelling?

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "...you just have to look at Dick Cheney's Halliburton stock options......they are widely published...."
       
       No, YOU just have to show proof of some kind of illegal activity or malfeasance where armies of democrat operatives and salivating lawyers have thus far failed to.

       replyreport
       1. 0

          china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Surely the point is that it is not illegal, but it is still directly removing money from the taxpayer and into Cheney & Co huge pockets.

          replyreport
          1. 54

             Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             You are accusing someone of not doing something illegal? The outrage!

             replyreport
             1. 0

                china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                No - I am saying that the fact that it is not illegal is the outrage.
                    Along with allowing people who will profit from them starting wars in the first place.

                replyreport
                1. 54

                   Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   And who did that?

                   replyreport
17. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    I have Cheney's lawyer to look at...and I am.. He is included in my project...
    
    I am concerned with those who increase the power of the executive branch over the others...and Cheney backs that trend...and has since he entered polical office, way back with Nixon (though he had been working in Washington well before this)........and argued for increased executive privilege while serving in the legislature...
    
    and then he became vice president....or rather...the real president...
    
    I'm building my case Sab...if you don't agree why don't you build one of your own...our hubs can be compared....

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "I am concerned with those who increase the power of the executive branch over the others..."
       
       
       Most who have ever occupied that office have tried to do so. It is natural. It is also natural that the other branches push back against this. This is how our messy system works. Don't be afraid.

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "and then he became vice president....or rather...the real president..."
       
       The vice president is the real president? Do you have some special version of the Constitution?

       replyreport
    3. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "I'm building my case Sab..."
       
       
       Good luck with that. I'm sure YOU will break new ground where every lawyer in Washington has failed to... 

       replyreport
18. 54

    Sab Ohposted 15 years ago

    http://www.politicalfriendster.com/show … amp;id2=30

    replyreport
19. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    Yes...when Clinton was in office, and when Cheney was the CEO...after being the secretary of defense....
    
    My criticisms are not party based here....
    
    As for "no proof Cheney profited," again, I have posted up the graphic showing his Haliburton stock value...and I have sources..and I'm building a larger statement with far more detail....
    
    Should I take that for a "yes" to the idea I mentioned earlier?

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "As for "no proof Cheney profited," "
       
       Who were you quoting there?

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "Yes...when Clinton was in office"
       
       
       Was Al Gore the 'real' president then?

       replyreport
20. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    No....but I have the interviews with White House staff who talk about where the business of state was going on...and where the meetings where...and where Bush wasn't...  Cheney's office...
    
    Are you going to put your thoughts together in a hub?  You seem to have enough time....
    
    Regardless of your response to my idea, I will continue...
    
    It will be a real doozy..

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "No....but I have the interviews with White House staff who talk about where the business of state was going on...and where the meetings where...and where Bush wasn't...  Cheney's office..."
       
       So you are going to 'prove' that Cheney was really president, is that it?
       
       
       
       I think you've got this thread mixed up with your 'pot' thread.
       
       
       "White House staff said..."   
       
       Kids do say the funniest things

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "It will be a real doozy.."
       
       
       No doubt... 

       replyreport
21. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    It's a "no" then, huh....
    
    Well, I expected as much, but I at least wanted to give you the opportunity....

    replyreport
22. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    I never made such a claim...
    
    Cheney is a unique man...
    
    How you can jump to such a conclusion I do not know...
    
    For your old age you are rather reckless with your connections...
    
    
    You are full of triviality......no substance...
    
    You are TK...I agree with those who call you out...I remember you well...
    
    No wonder you are hiding behind that mask..

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "I never made such a claim..."
       
       What claim?

       replyreport
23. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    PBS already did a brilliant expose....you can watch the "children" speak for yourself...it's all online...
    
    I will be bringing much more than that..however..
    
    You, I take it, won't be bringing anything....
    
    I am unsurprised...
    
    I will show that Cheney and his lawyer were primary movers in terms of shaping and pushing policy in the Executive Branch, and that the President was in the back seat....
    
    I don't care about Clinton and Gore's relationship...I guess you can write about that one since you brought it up..
    
    You said that you are a teacher....teach something...
    
    I'm just a lowly student...doing the legwork...or rather...fingerwork... 
    
    Lead by example....at this point you are lacking....

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "I will show that Cheney and his lawyer were primary movers in terms of shaping and pushing policy in the Executive Branch, and that the President was in the back seat...."
       
       Oh, you'll prove that will you? 
       
       Looks like it's kiddy play time...

       replyreport
24. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    TK/Old Man Sad....I love your selective amnesia..you have done it several times in various places....and I'm glad that they are there for others to see...
    
    You are an interesting person to observe....

    replyreport
    1. 0

       china manposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       no he is not

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "you have done it several times in various places...."
       
       Done what several times in various places?

       replyreport
25. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    To bring relevance back to the thread....those who criticize Mrs. Obama's staffers are living in denial...
    
    Mrs. Bush had just as many...and the email that this thread cites somehow reduces that number to 1....a mystery...or so some may think...
    
    The same people, typically, who believe this type of email also believe that Obama himself is not a citizen, or natural born citizen of this nation... not all do...but a great many do..
    
    http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/east-wi … office.htm
    
    
    Are people so silly as to not research things for themselves before opinionating....
    
    People are..

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "The same people, typically, who believe this type of email also believe that Obama himself is not a citizen, or natural born citizen of this nation..."
       
       Here we go again. You remain more obessed with this topic than anyone else.

       replyreport
26. 0

    chasingcarsposted 15 years ago

    As many as she damned well needs.  Not your decision.

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I believe taxpayers have a valid interest in the subject.

       replyreport
27. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    Judging from your posts...Sad it looks like you've been there for a long time....
    
    If that is an invitation to join you, consider my turn down in the kindest of ways...
    
    You are definitely teaching me something....but probably not what you think...

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "Judging from your posts...Sad"
       
       
       Still having trouble with your spelling?

       replyreport
28. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    Sad...you seem very obsessed with me.....

    replyreport
29. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    No...everything is good on this end...
    
    How about you?

    replyreport
30. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    According to Sad...the taxpayers just showed up last year....
    
    Evidently the previous eight weren't of much interest....

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "According to Sad..."
       
       So, you're not having trouble with your spelling?

       replyreport
    2. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "According to Sad...the taxpayers just showed up last year...."
       
       
       No, I never said that. Don't be dishonest and try to put words in my mouth please.

       replyreport
31. 61

    mikelongposted 15 years ago

    No..you connotated it with your "concerned taxpayers" comment...  I am not as reckless as you are with connections...
    
    
    Where were you in 2004?  Were you as concerned with Mrs. Bush's assistants then?  Ever?
    
    Is this all Sad? 
    
    Reduced to triviality again...thanks for sinking to the bottom denominator of argumentation another time....

    replyreport
    1. 54

       Sab Ohposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "No..you connotated it with your "concerned taxpayers" comment...  "
       
       
       If you stick with what was actually said you'll make fewer mistakes.

       replyreport
32. 71

    earnestshubposted 15 years ago

    This thread is simply untrue. Totally untrue.
    The end.

    replyreport
33. 0

    Pani Midnyte Odinposted 15 years ago

    Look at this in a positive light. That's 22 people who have a job because of her. That's 22 new jobs created. Every job that is created is a good thing in my opinion.

    replyreport
34. 67

    Arthur Fontesposted 15 years ago

    Can anyone provide a list of Laura Bush's staffers name/title/income  I would be very curious to see it?
    
    Thanks

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Ernieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       These are 17 with First Lady in the title in this list from 2008.
       
       http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/op … title.html
       
       1. O'Connor, Erin M $41,800
       2. McBride, Anita B $172,200
       3. Medina, Sonya E $147,500
       4. Miller, Sonja Maria $88,500
       5. Miller, Kasdin E $43,000
       6. McBride, Anita B $172,200
       7. Medina, Sonya E $147,500
       8. Miller, Sonja Maria $88,500
       9. King, Kristin N $52,200
       10. Segura, Millicent $47,000
       11. Mende, Kirstin M $53,000
       12. Etter, Marisa Leigh $52,200
       13. Adams, Julie E $57,500
       14. Marshall, Misty C $62,400
       15. Knutson, Lindsey L $62,700
       16. Niemiec, Sally M $102,000
       17. McArthur, Nikki L $63,000

       replyreport
       1. 71

          Ralph Deedsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I'll bite, how many staffers does the first lady need? How many did Laura Bush have? Hillary Clinton? Nancy Reagan?

          replyreport
       2. 67

          Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks for the list and the link.  I copied the titles and salaries direct from the link you provided.
          
          
          
          McArthur, Nikki L  $63,000  Speech Writer for the First Lady 
          
          Niemiec, Sally M  $102,000  Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications and Press Secretary to the First Lady 
          
          Armstrong, Sara W  $102,000  Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady 
          
          Knutson, Lindsey L  $62,700  Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady 
          
          O'Connor, Erin M  $41,800  Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the First Lady
          
          Ballard, Deanna M  $78,400  Director of Scheduling for the First Lady 
          
          Marshall, Misty C  $62,400  Director of Correspondence for the First Lady 
          
          Adams, Julie E  $57,500  Deputy Press Secretary to the First Lady 
          
          Mende, Kirstin M  $53,000  Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady 
          
          King, Kristin N  $52,200  Deputy Director of Advance for the First Lady 
          
          Miller, Sonja Maria  $88,500  Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady 
          
          McBride, Anita B  $172,200  Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady 
          
          Miller, Kasdin E  $43,000  Assistant Press Secretary to the First Lady

          replyreport
          1. 71

             Ralph Deedsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Arthur, why don't you worry about something important like how many troops do we need in Afghanistan? And how long are they likely to be there? And how many are likely to be killed or wounded? This petty nitpicking at Obama is tiresome and childish, in my opinion.

             replyreport
             1. 67

                Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                OK  I do have a few questions.
                
                What are the victory scenarios in Afghanistan?
                Have any been established?
                
                Who are we at war with?  Al Qaeda the Taliban or just generically titled enemy combatants?
                
                What happens when we leave?  Who will fill the void?
                Will we have to maintain an ongoing presence in the region? 
                
                Why are we reading Miranda rights on the battlefield?  Do enemy combatants deserve the same treatment as citizens of our country?

                replyreport
                1. 71

                   Ralph Deedsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   Those are very good questions. Much more worth discussing than the number of people on the first lady's staff. One nit pick, I don't think we're reading Miranda rights on the battle field. We deserve better answers from Obama and Gates on the others.

                   replyreport
35. 70

    pylos26posted 15 years ago

    This is so depressing…so many people gossiping, maliciously, condemning a subject so diminutive…reminds me of a group of old ladies complaining about their lack of influence in society.

    replyreport
36. 67

    Daniel Carterposted 15 years ago

    Ahhh, but surely you see that she creating jobs for Americans!!
    
    [Yeah, whatever...]

    replyreport
37. 0

    StormRyderposted 15 years ago

    Staffers...5, 7, 13, more... "Yo, thats how the homies roll"!

    replyreport
38. 82

    habeeposted 15 years ago

    Back to the original topic: Jackie Kennedy had the most staff members - 40.

    replyreport
    1. 71

       Ralph Deedsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks. That's helps put the question in perspective. How about the rest of the first ladies--Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, et al? That would help determine whether Michelle Obama is out of line. Does anybody know what all the duties of the staffers are? I assume they handle correspondence, help write speeches, make travel arrangements and the like, but I don't have a feel for how big a staff the first lady needs. I suppose it depends on how active a first lady intends to be. Jackie Kennedy was quite active as I recall. Others have been less so.

       replyreport