White House Communication Director Anita Dunn has stepped down from her post. The explanation for the resignation was confusing and a bit hypocritical. According to Obama administration senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett, Dunn always expected to leave, but will remain in the White House every day. Dunn will “attend all strategy sessions, and be present for major decisions.” So why is she stepping down? Dunn also said she wants to spend more time with her son, a reason understandable to anyone with a family. But why say that if she planned on leaving anyway?
The reality of Dunn’s resignation is that she, like Van Jones, has become too hot to handle for the White House front office. Glenn Beck’s withering attacks on Dunn, after the surfacing of a video of her praising Mao Tse-tung, have taken a political toll on her and the administration. The exposure of one more radical in the White House was simply too much for the Obama team, and it seems Dunn was forced to take a less public position. This is no great victory, though. Now Dunn will simply be working the back room with Van Jones, and of course, President Obama.
