November 8, 2011
THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL:
Key Obama Aide Relinquishes Some Duties: Daley's Role Yet to Be Fully Defined, but Will Focus on Relations With Outsiders; 'It's Been a Tough Slog,' a Friend Says (CAROL E. LEE, 11/08/11, WSJ)On Monday, Mr. Daley turned over day-to-day management of the West Wing to Pete Rouse, a veteran aide to President Obama, according to several people familiar with the matter. It is unusual for a White House chief of staff to relinquish part of the job.
A senior White House official who attended Monday's staff meeting where Mr. Daley made the announcement said that his new role has not yet been fully defined. But in recent weeks, Mr. Daley has focused more on managing relations with influential outsiders.
The recalibration of Mr. Daley's portfolio, agreed to by Mr. Obama, is designed to smooth any kinks in the president's team as it braces for the overlapping demands of governing while campaigning for re-election, people familiar with the matter said. The West Wing is preparing for budget battles with Congress and is seeking to use its executive powers more extensively.
The new set-up effectively makes Mr. Rouse the president's inside manager and Mr. Daley his ambassador, roles that appear to better suit both men's talents. Mr. Rouse served as interim chief of staff before Mr. Daley arrived, and his White House bio boasts he is "known as the '101st Senator' " for his extensive knowledge of Congress.
Under what other Chief Executive would that be a boast?
Posted by oj at November 8, 2011 6:30 PM
Tweet