Change has come to the White House!
Last week, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs formally announced that he will be stepping down from his post at the press podium, to return to the private sector. But don’t think for a moment that Gibbs is done with politics. The presidential spokesman will now gain the luxury to have his cake and eat it too: making millions by giving speeches around the globe regarding his days in the White House, and appearing on television news shows with a suitcase of talking points as President Obama prepares for a reelection bid. It’s a win-win situation for both Gibbs and the White House.
And on Thursday, President Obama announced William Daley as his new Chief of Staff. The 62-year-old brother of current Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is an executive with JP Morgan/Chase and is a former Commerce Secretary in the Clinton administration. He is also a well known and respected veteran political manager, who offers an outsider’s perspective, credibility within the business community, familiarity with the ways of the Cabinet and experience in navigating divided government.
Daley will now step into one of the most important and powerful jobs in government as the official gatekeeper to the Oval Office. The new Chief of Staff will begin work in a few weeks and will replace Pete Rouse, who held the position on an interim basis for the last three months and did not want the job permanently. Rouse will stay on at the White House in an advisory role to the president.
President Obama also announced the appointment of Gene Sperling to become head of his economic council. Sperling, who held the same position while in the Clinton administration, will replace outgoing chairman Lawrence Summers.
