 William Daley smiles as President Barack Obama introduces him as his new chief of staff in the East Room at the White House in Washington. AFP photo |
President Barack Obama named veteran political manager William Daley to be his new chief of staff Thursday, selecting a centrist with Wall Street ties to help navigate a newly divided Congress and a looming re-election.
The appointment represented the most significant move in a far-reaching and continuing staff shake-up that included the departure of Obama's press secretary and several key deputies and economic advisers. It came the day after Republicans officially assumed control of the House and increased their numbers in the Senate.
Daley, who served as commerce secretary for President Bill Clinton, offers criteria Obama wants for the new environment in Washington: an outsider's perspective, credibility with the business community, familiarity with the ways of the Cabinet and experience in navigating divided government. "I'm convinced that he'll help us in our mission of growing our economy and moving America forward," Obama said with Daley at his side.
Daley replaces Pete Rouse, the interim chief of the last three months and a behind-the-scenes Obama adviser who did not want the position permanently and recommended Daley for it. Rouse, who received warm praise from Obama and sustained applause from staffers watching at the White House, will remain as a counselor to the president, an elevated position from his former job as senior adviser.
Daley, 62, was expected to start as chief of staff within the next couple of weeks. He will assume one of the most important and influential jobs in American government as an adviser and gatekeeper to Obama. He will be thrust into the heart of national politics just as Obama adapts to a new reality in Washington, with Republicans working to dismantle his signature health care law and pushing for major cuts in spending.
The appointment represented the most significant move in a far-reaching and continuing staff shake-up that included the departure of Obama's press secretary and several key deputies and economic advisers. It came the day after Republicans officially assumed control of the House and increased their numbers in the Senate.
Daley, who served as commerce secretary for President Bill Clinton, offers criteria Obama wants for the new environment in Washington: an outsider's perspective, credibility with the business community, familiarity with the ways of the Cabinet and experience in navigating divided government. "I'm convinced that he'll help us in our mission of growing our economy and moving America forward," Obama said with Daley at his side.
Daley replaces Pete Rouse, the interim chief of the last three months and a behind-the-scenes Obama adviser who did not want the position permanently and recommended Daley for it. Rouse, who received warm praise from Obama and sustained applause from staffers watching at the White House, will remain as a counselor to the president, an elevated position from his former job as senior adviser.
Daley, 62, was expected to start as chief of staff within the next couple of weeks. He will assume one of the most important and influential jobs in American government as an adviser and gatekeeper to Obama. He will be thrust into the heart of national politics just as Obama adapts to a new reality in Washington, with Republicans working to dismantle his signature health care law and pushing for major cuts in spending.
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