Breaking -William Daley resigns as WH Chief of Staff

[malaise]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-william-daley-to-step-down-as-obamas-chief-of-staff-20120109,0,1505407.story
<snip>
William Daley is stepping down as White House chief of staff and budget director Jack Lew is taking over the President Obama’s team as it heads into a tough election year, senior administration officials say.

Daley gave his letter of resignation to the president in a private meeting in the Oval Office last week, recounting the administration's successes of his one year on the job and saying it was time for him to return to his hometown of Chicago.

Obama plans to announce the change in leadership in a public event Monday afternoon. The official shift will take place at the end of the month, giving Lew time to complete the administration’s budget proposal while Daley leads the team through the crafting of the State of the Union address due in two weeks.

The choice of Lew puts a veteran staffer of the White House, Capitol Hill and State Department in a critical position at a difficult time for the president. Obama hopes he can work through tough budget and economic issues with Congress this year despite fierce opposition from Republicans in the GOP-led House. Having a strong team captain who can deal with lawmakers, staffers and business leaders is considered crucial to their strategy.

[immoderate]

1. Not an appointment I would have made in the first place.

But WTF do I know?


--imm

[SharonAnn]

9. I remember reading recently that he was leaving at this time. About a month ago.

[The Magistrate]

2. Probably Just As Well, Ma'am

Bill Daley was a big part of a big problem all on his oddy-knocky....

[banned from Kos]

7. Chief of Staff is not a policy maker - they are herders and head busters

Figuratively, of course.

They have to understand the issues, of course. Both of Obama's CoS have been very qualified.

[The Magistrate]

11. He A Local Boy, Sir

"Don't try and teach your grandmother to suck eggs."

[malaise]

8. Thank you Sir

Happy New Year

[The Magistrate]

12. And To You, Ma'am

[boxman15]

3. Does anyone know if Lew is the new Chief of Staff for the foreseeable future, or

is he just keeping the seat warm? And if he is, are there any rumors as to who Obama is looking at as his new chief of staff?

[superpatriotman]

4. What an honor to have served

Chicago should be proud.

[cthulu2016]

5. That timing is odd

It seems like there is a reason here. Health, policy, whatever.

No suggesting anything sinster or major -- just that this seems abrupt.

[Angry Dragon]

6. He was demoted earlier

a lot of his duties were farmed out
I do not think he was doing a very good job


edit: spelling

[suffragette]

10. Looks like Daley will now co-chair the re-election campaign

Saw it here, in a parenthetical statement;
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-difference-between-jack-lew-and-bill-daley/2011/08/25/gIQAtts3lP_blog.html

But Daley was actually demoted in November. Pete Rouse, who served as Obama’s chief of staff in the Senate and remained a close adviser in the White House, took over some of Daley’s portfolio. But Rouse, who many — including Obama — have wanted to see assume the chief of staff position, has been reluctant to formally accept. The elevation of Lew suggests that Rouse was, again, resistant to stepping into this position himself. (Daley will co-chair Obama’s reelection campaign.)

Looked for more. Also, found here:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2012/01/bill_daley_to_co-chair_obama_2.html
Bill Daley to co-chair Obama 2012 campaign
By Lynn Sweet on January 9, 2012 2:09 PM | No Comments

White House chief of staff Bill Daley, whose resignation was announced by President Obama on Monday, will be a co-chair of his 2012 re-election campaign, based in Chicago.