I've seen numerous post here that doubt and question the leadership, experience and intelligence of the Prez to hold that Office. Perhaps that is the very reason he was picked to run by his handlers. He is a good orator and his race made him very popular with the identifiable minorities and "feel good" Liberals.
That Valerie Garrett woman and probably a small number of others appear to have the Prez isolated and insulated to a very high degree. I'm thinking it is possible that he really is unaware of what went on until it became public. There is history in other times and places were the head of the country was not informed and isolated by a group of people that had their own agenda.