<em>Politico's</em> Parnes on FLOTUS Duty

It feels like Christmas in October. Thank you, Lord. Today Politico's Amie Parnes, official authority on all things FLOTUS (as long as they're positive), is on first lady Pool Report duty. Words cannot express our gratitude. In short, Parnes writes today, FLOTUS thanks everyone. Here's an excerpt of her trip trailing FLO through Secret Service HQ: "First Lady Michelle Obama continued her tour of government agencies Wednesday, dropping by Secret Service headquarters where she thanked employees--including the people who protect her family-- for their service." And this: "In brief remarks, FLOTUS thanked the employees for the work they do and for keeping the family safe. Please check quotes against transcript." And, of course she learned a lot: "She apparently learned quite a bit on the tour. 'The work you do here is pretty scary,' she said to laughter. 'Let's just say that. All I can say is after my little tour...ignorance is bliss. I just don't wanna know. You all can handle all that. Just tell me where to run.' For an even closer examination of the sucking up, read the full report after the jump... S Secret Service HQ First Lady Michelle Obama continued her tour of government agencies Wednesday, dropping by Secret Service headquarters where she thanked employees--including the people who protect her family-- for their service. At 11:52 am, the first lady entered a packed conference room filled with at least 200 employees who were standing. The crowd cheered and applauded as she took the stage with USSS director Mark Sullivan. Other USSS employees watched on a big-screen TV in a hallway outside the room. Most of the employees in the room took photos on their digital cameras. In brief remarks, FLOTUS thanked the employees for the work they do and for keeping the family safe. Please check quotes against transcript. FLOTUS said that she and POTUS always say that the Secret Service is "is always 100 percent on point." "That is important when you're trying to live a normal life and raise a couple of girls in the White House," she said. FLOTUS said the visit to USSS HQ " is special to me...this isn't just a job." Before the speech, the first lady toured parts of the HQ including the protective intelligence division and the joint operations center, according to Ed Donovan, special agent of public affairs. She apparently learned quite a bit on the tour. "The work you do here is pretty scary," she said to laughter. "Let's just say that. All I can say is after my little tour...ignorance is bliss. I just don't wanna know. You all can handle all that. Just tell me where to run." FLOTUS, who has often talked about the difficulty of living in the bubble, said having Secret Service around is "like having family around." She said the family has grown so close to the agents that they have little fights about who gets what agent on certain outings. She said daughter Sasha will sometimes say, "You took Scott... That's not fair." FLOTUS joked that it's become part of "dinner table conversation." FLOTUS said that speaks to the closeness the Obama family feels with the agents. The first family and the nation appreciates the work of the USSS, she told the crowd. "We cherish each and every one of you...keep up the good work." After the speech, FLOTUS shook hands with some of the employees for a few minutes. Before the first lady entered the conference room, Donovan told the crowd there would be "no autograph seeking" and got a few laughs when he said they'd be watching for it. Your pooler asked if it was rare for one of their protectees to visit USSS HQ. "It has happened," Donovan said. "But it's not a regular occurrence." Before addressing the crowd, the first lady was introduced by Sullivan. Sullivan said "Your visit here today means so much to all of us." Sullivan thanked the first lady "For the way you have treated the men and women of our organization." FLOTUS left the room at 12:05p.m. Amie Parnes POLITICO

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Politico's Parnes on FLOTUS Duty

Betsy Rothstein

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