JUST IN: Smart Sensuality woman Desirée Rogers is wearing Oscar de Renta, in this must-read Capitol File photo shoot. She is such a diplomat. Note also that the “price on request” Oscar ensemble is available at Ikram. OK, so Team Ikram is not so close-minded on their critics.

I tracked down this fab Capitol File interview Rules of Engagement with Presidential senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and White House social secretary Desiree Rogers, after reading that Qatar Airways sponsored the post-party bash after last weekend’s White House Correspondents dinner.

The Capitol File Rules of Engagement is a vividly-written story about the two long-time friends, who are also good friends of the Obamas.

The photo shoot was a celebratory hour of two longtime friends engaging in a rare slow moment during a very serious time for our country. Rogers teased Jarrett about being taller than her when Jarrett posed on the steps above her on the staircase. “Don’t get used to this, chickie,” Rogers joked. But what’s at the core of their relationship is trust in each other, in the Obamas, and in the country. You get the sense they wake up every day and say, “Bring it on America, we can take it.”

Cultivating Brand Obama

Desiree Rogers is taking some heat for her approach to “branding” the White House, but I support her efforts 100%.

We live in a branded world, where people are waiting to jump on you for the slightest misstep.

(See Gawker’s Obama Socialite-in-Chief Determined to Ruin His Image. My understanding is that Rogers is far more connected to the West Wing (remember 8am daily meetings) than Gawker credits her for being, but heck — distort the facts of what happened with the proposed Oscar garden party dress. It sells blog ads. Factually speaking, the magazine doing the interview proposes the wardrobe choices, not the person being interviewd. But who cares about the facts of American journalism.)

Look at the precious time Republicans have invested in venting over POTUS putting Grey Poupon mustard on his burger. Ye gads! Such a worthy use of American brainpower, when social security and medicare are falling apart ahead of schedule.

Orchestrating one’s public image is more important than ever today, and Rogers will rule the branding world when she’s done — barring any major screwups, of course. It’s a long road ahead.

What I adore more than anything about the can-do spirit of these superstar Smart Sensuality women Jarrett and Rogers, is the concept of making the White House, not just “the people’s house” but an intoxicatingly warm, fun place full of diverse music, profound intellect, and conga lines.

Rock On, ‘Yes We Can’ Optimism

I know that I repeat myself on the conga-line business, but the symbolism is contagious and fabulously rebellious. I’ve always been impressed by the “smile in sorrow” character of African Americans, considering it a profound contribution to the national culture — when mixed with their “we will overcome” spirit.

Quite frankly, this kind of positive, celebratory, “yes, we can” thinking is just what America needs right now.

Most pundits admit they’ve never ever seen more brainpower assembled in the White House. Ours is not a country with little to celebrate, and Team Obama is committed to energizing us all, with creative, entrepreneurial, positive spirit.

This is why Valerie Jarrett and Desirée Rogers say “laissez les bon temps rouler”.

So let the Grey Poupon guys keep criticizing those of us who want to rock on to bigger and better things for America. Cynics accomplished very little in the building of the country.

Having lived abroad and travelled extensively, unlike a recent President who had NEVER been to Europe or Asia (can you imagine — think about that fact, my dear friends), Jarrett and Rogers (and I) know that the French have actually contributed quite a lot to global civilization and America’s, too.

France is also weathering the economic madness better than America, but that’s a story for another day. And not because they’re socialists, which is the new big word to throw around at Team Obama.

The French save money, invest in infrastructure, and don’t believe that the man with the most toys wins the game, and to hell with the rest of us.

French consumption patterns have always been measured, unlike America’s “you are the sum of your closet” mentality. Of course, if you’re never been to France, you wouldn’t understand that fact.

Meanwhile, would someone please get me a baton. I seem to be on my soapbox this morning. Sorry. I got carried away with the visions of Rogers and Jarrett leading a parade in New Orleans.

Great read: Capitol File Magazine’s Rules of Engagement.