Mrs. Obama Goes to the Agencies

Desiree Rogers, the White House Social Secretary, takes what seems to me to be an oddly passive stance on Michelle Obama's visits to federal departments and agencies in her interview with the Washington Post. Rogers says:

"So, in a way, she is using that role to be a conduit for the American public to say, 'Thank you so much for all the work that you and your family are doing on behalf of the American people' as our as -- her husband is doing the work that he's doing. So, in many respects, I think it's a marvelous use of her time."

I don't mean to say that it's not a good thing that the First Lady is thanking federal employees for their service. It's wonderful. As I've said before, I wish the President was making this tour himself, but sending the First Lady is a gesture of respect at a point where the President faces enormous challenges and time constraints.

But Michelle Obama's been doing more than just conveying thanks on these visits. She's been having closed-press meetings with federal employees. She's taking suggestions. And she's laying out the President's views of how those agencies will operate in service of a larger mission of government. Obviously it remains to be seen what results her tour produces, but it's an engaging effort. Rogers may have her reasons for wanting to simplify the public image of the First Lady. But it does seem to downplay her work to streamline the description too much.