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Ellie Schafer cuts her own political path

November 3, 2015 By WHC Insider

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The Grand Forks Herald recently featured a story about Ellie Schafer, director of the White House Visitors Office under President Barack Obama and daughter of former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer.

“Her journey with the Illinois senator who would become president started in 2006 when she worked on his book tour promoting “The Audacity of Hope”….Schafer, daughter of former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, was quickly drawn to Obama, his message, his policy positions, his skills as a leader.”

Schafer’s job is one of the more powerful behind-the-scenes positions at the White House. “A total of 4.8 million people have visited the White House during her tenure, and 3.5 million of those guests were there for a function the visitors office oversaw, said Schafer, who acknowledges her job is taxing.”

As the daughter of a former governor, she “grew up around politics, and even as a kid she’d voice her opinions on the issues.”

“Ed Schafer said he and his daughter agree on the direction they want the country to head, but they differ on how to get there. Because of their close bond, he said, they can have a debate and afterward say, “I still love you.”

“It’s the way you wish politics would work,” he said.”

Read the article on grandforksherald.com: From governor’s daughter to White House official: Ellie Schafer cuts her own political path

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