Allison Terres
Contributing Writer
At a White House press conference held Monday, Jan. 9, President Barack Obama announced the resignation of his Chief of Staff, William M. Daley.
The announcement came only a year after Daley’s appointment to the position. Jacob Lew, current director of the Office of Management and Budget, will be his replacement.
A year ago, Daley was the solution to Obama’s struggled relationships with corporate America. Daley previously worked for JP Morgan Chase and held a position on the board of directors for Fannie Mae. With a background in the private sector, Daley could presumably understand corporate interests and attempt to bring partisan negotiations further toward the middle.
The Chief of Staff is the president’s most senior aide. Historically, the Chief of Staff negotiates with Congress, members of the executive branch, and other political groups to implement the president’s agenda. Other duties include managing and supervising the White House staff, managing the president’s schedule, and deciding who is allowed in the Oval Office.
The resignation comes as little surprise. According to The Washington Post, Daley could not develop relationships with members of Congress and struggled to handle partisan battles during most of 2011.
In November, Daley relinquished his day-to-day responsibilities to Tom Rouse, a long time advisor for Obama. This displacement of duties is rare, hinting that Daley couldn’t live up to high expectations.
If there were issues with Daley as Chief of Staff, Obama ignored them during the press conference. He commended Daley as an, “outstanding Chief of Staff during one of the busiest and most consequential years of my administration.” Obama noted that Daley was “instrumental in developing the American jobs act,” as well as passing “historic trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama”. Both hailing from Chicago, Obama cited “the pull of the hometown we both love,” as Daley’s reason for resignation.
William Daley is not leaving the White House empty handed. Upon his return to Chicago, Daley will serve as co-chair of Obama’s re-election campaign. Daley headed former vice president Al Gore’s election campaign in 2000.
Obama named Jacob Lew as Daley’s successor, and said Lew “has my complete trust”.
In comparison to Daley’s Wall Street background, Lew’s experience is in the politics of Capitol Hill.
Jacob Lew presided over a budget surplus during the Clinton Administration. His career in Washington started in the 70s as the top aide to Speaker “Tip” O’Neill for eight years. Lew not only has a background in domestic but also international affairs. At one point in his career, he managed civilian operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Obama mentioned that Lew “held one of the most difficult jobs in Washington.” Lew has been at the forefront of current budget and tax negotiations.
According to USA Today, Lew’s appointment represents a shift in the Obama Administration’s strategy. Where Daley was meant to bring moderation to partisan negotiations, Lew will focus solely on passing a budget plan.
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