Friday, July 03, 2009
David E. Marcozzi
Even though President Barack Obama followed through with his pledge to freeze the salaries of White House staffers making more than $100,000, Team Obama is making 15% more than what George W. Bush’s crew made in 2008. An analysis by National Journal’s Hotline on Call revealed that Obama although did indeed freeze the top salaries, he also has more people working for him than Bush. The salary information was posted on the White House website, a first for any administration.
So how much do the key advisors to President Obama make? $172,200. That’s what the likes of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, National Security Advisor James Jones, economic advisor Lawrence Summers and senior advisors David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett pull down, along with 17 other key staffers. Oddly, the top earner on the list is David E. Marcozzi, who earns $192,934, as director of public health policy. Technically, he’s on loan from the Department of Health and Human Services and not really White House staff, so he’s allowed to receive a higher salary for six months.
Among the almost 500 names on the list are two who apparently don’t earn any salary: Michael Warren, listed as the senior advisor for the economics division of presidential personnel, and advisor Patricia McGinnis.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
More On Obama Staff Salary Nos. (by Jennifer Skalka, National Journal)
Obama's Key Advisers Make $172,200 (by Mark Knoller, CBS News)
Obama Staff Paid 18% More Than Bush Team (by Jennifer Skalka and Lucas Grindley, National Journal)
Annual Report to Congress on White House Office Staff (Executive Office of the President) (PDF)
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