Jarrett: I’m not the shadow chief of staff

Valerie Jarrett denied being a “shadow chief of staff” to President Obama on Wednesday, insisting she never talks about work during her private time with the president and first lady.

“I’m not the shadow chief of staff. I have very specific responsibilities,” Jarrett, a senior adviser to the president and a longtime family friend of the Obamas, said at a Politico breakfast. [WATCH VIDEO]

{mosads}Jarrett said that “people sometimes presume because I am a friend of the president and first lady” that she’s able to exert influence when the Obamas retire from the office to their residence.

“There is this perception that somehow I am trying to lobby for positions,” Jarrett said.

Instead, she said she and the first family are able to “compartmentalize.”

“I assure you when he goes home to the residence he doesn’t want to talk about his job,” Jarrett said.

Some Republicans and conservative media figures have questioned Jarrett’s influence in the West Wing.

Earlier this year, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), in an interview with a conservative talk show host, said she “seems to have her tentacles into every issue and every topic.”