State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki is moving back to the White House to be Communications Director. It’s easy to report on that in passing, with the expected praise-prose from the president that moves the brief story along. But Washington Post White House reporter Juliet Eilperin couldn’t keep from boosting Psaki, insisting twice she was “well-liked” by reporters. She's "respected," "trusted," "vital," "responsive," and "helpful."
There was no space for chronicling any gaffes or mistakes or tough exchanges at the podium, just space for how she’s liked and respected:
Well liked by reporters, she delivered hard-hitting attacks against GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney aboard Air Force One while Carney often adopted a more neutral tone. While she did not have an extensive international policy portfolio before joining Kerry's team last year, she has spent months focusing on subjects ranging from turmoil in the Middle East to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Psaki was a respected and well-liked spokeswoman at the State Department, where her lack of foreign policy credentials initially raised eyebrows. She became known as a responsive, helpful go-between for reporters, with an office next to the press room instead of on an upper floor accessible only with a government escort.
Just as vital: she is a trusted confidant of the president and many members of his team. In 2008 Psaki participated in an impromptu Passover Seder some young Obama aides threw in their hotel room, which Obama attended -- and she has returned since then to celebrate the Jewish holiday with the first family at the White House.
Either Eilperin is (a) just remembering how Psaki was super-helpful in her own reporting; (b) uncorking a "beat sweetener" to get White House scoops when Psaki takes charge; (c) issuing a feminist memo on how Psaki could have been press secretary, and was underappreciated by Team Obama; or (d) all of the above.
Earlier, from Ken Shepherd in 2012: WaPo's Amy Gardner Gushes Over 'Jen and Jay Show' Aboard Air Force One
