Axelrod: Obama Wanted Jarrett in White House

Reporters attending the political mind meld at the Harvard Institute of Politics, are gleaning bits and pieces. Here's what Lynn Sweet gathered:

Sun Times: During the forum, Axelrod said Obama always wanted Jarrett to work for him in the White House. Afterward, I asked Axelrod how interested Jarrett might have been in the position. Jarrett issued a statement saying she did not want to be a senator as some chatter was heating up. "There were people, not the governor," Axelrod told me, "but there were people who called her and encouraged her to think about it, and I think she thought about it, but ultimately Obama was very clear that he wanted her to be in the White House, there was never any doubt about that."

Axelrod, years ago, was Blagojevich's media consultant when he ran for the House. His son, Michael, was an unpaid intern in Blagojevich's House office.

This whole "episode is disturbing and sad," said Axelrod, adding, "by the way -- he treated my son very well."