White House chief of staff resigns at crucial moment for Obama (+video)

William Daley is leaving his post as White House chief of staff – one of the toughest and most influential posts in Washington – after only a year on the job. 

The change is particularly significant at the beginning of an election year for the president. The chief of staff serves as gatekeeper to the Oval Office and is charged with ensuring that the president’s aides work together smoothly to accomplish his goals and to make sure those accomplishments are skillfully communicated. In an election year, the chief of staff has to make sure the White House staff and the president’s reelection campaign team work together seamlessly.

President Obama said Monday that Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew will take over for Mr. Daley.

When Daley took the chief of staff’s role in January 2011, the expectation was that he would serve as a bridge to the business community and to Republicans in Congress. But with the president taking a harder line in congressional negotiations as the election nears, Daley’s skills seemed less a match for the job.

Daley had previously announced his intention to leave the White House after the 2012 election. But White House operations were already being reorganized late last year, with Daley yielding day-to-day management to Obama senior adviser Pete Rouse. The move was explained as letting Daley serve as an ambassador for the administration, but it got Washington talking about how secure Daley’s place was.

Standing beneath a portrait of President Lincoln in the State Dining Room Monday, Mr. Obama hailed Daley’s contributions. 

“No one in my administration has had to make more important decisions more quickly than Bill,” the president said. 

1 | 2

Next