Appointed: November 15, 2008
Obama’s comments:
Others’ comments:
“(During the Obama) presidential campaign, Ms. Jarrett gave personal counsel to both Obamas, consulting on major decisions, and acting as diplomat to the outside world. Her White House role reflects her specialty in managing relationships. In particular, Ms. Jarrett soothed the fears of the African-American community, nervous about the first black presidential nominee of a major party, and helped broker peace with supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Shortly after his victory, Mr. Obama named Ms. Jarrett as one of three co-leaders of his transition team.
“Ms. Jarrett will be a historically rare sight in the White House: a high-ranking official who is African-American and female. But friends and Obama advisers say she is far more than an old chum of Mr. Obama’s or an ambassador to the black community: she is an expert in housing, transportation and health care, and a specialist in negotiation and conflict resolution.
“A petite, soft-spoken woman, she shares Mr. Obama’s calm, deliberative style, and is widely described as one of the few people who can speak for the president-elect with accuracy and authority.”
—The New York Times
Appointment Impact:
“(Jarrett) will have the ear of the president and act as a go-between with state and local elected officials and public interest groups, according to a source close to Obama advisers.”
—The Chicago Tribune
“(Jarrett) will help Mr. Obama manage his relationship with the rest of government, serving as the White House’s point person for state and local officials. Finally, she will supervise the Office of Public Liaison, which she hopes to turn into an active channel for government-citizen collaboration.”
—The New York Times
Pete Rouse - Senior Advisor to the President
Co-Chair, Obama Transition Team
Former Chief of Staff, Senator Obama
Former Chief of Staff, Senator Tom Daschle
Appointed: November 15, 2008
Obama’s comments:
“Pete’s very good at looking around the corners of decisions and playing out the implications of them. He’s been around long enough that he can recognize problems and pitfalls a lot quicker than others can.
“His familiarity with Washington makes him somebody whose judgment I trust.”
—The Washington Post
Others’ comments:
“Mr. Rouse is known for his deep knowledge of the workings of Washington and Congress after spending three decades on Capitol Hill. As chief of staff to Tom Daschle, a former Senate majority leader, Mr. Rouse was known as the 101st senator. Seldom in the spotlight, Mr. Rouse maneuvered behind the scenes as a measured, discreet and skillful problem-solver with a knack for navigating bureaucracy. He is respected by Democrats and Republicans alike.”
—The New York Times
Appointment Impact:
“As senior adviser to the president in the Obama White House, (Rouse) will be instrumental in the new president’s attempts to push his policy platform through Congress.”
—BBC News