Obama’s Transition Team Announced

After a selection process that has lasted the past several months, the Obama campaign has unveiled the individuals that will try to ensure the smooth transition of Barack Obama and Joe Biden into the White House in January:

Co-chairs: John Podesta: 4th chief of staff under Bill Clinton, Podesta is a Chicago politician (shocker) who founded think-tank The Center For American Progress. In 2008, Podesta authored his book “The Power of Progress: How America’s Progressives Can (Once Again) Save Our Economy, Our Climate, and Our Country”. In it, he articulates a vision of progressive values based on four core lessons:
1) Progressives stand with people, not privilege; 2) Progressives believe in the Common Good and a government that offers a hand up; 3) Progressives hold that all people are equal in the eyes of God and under the law; and 4) Progressives stand for universal human rights and cooperative global security.
(Translation: Socialist/Communist)

Valerie Jarrett: Born in Iran. Chicago lawyer, businesswoman, civic leader. She was Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Daley, during which time (1991) she hired Michelle Robinson, then engaged to Barack Obama, away from a private law firm. Jarrett served as Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development from 1992 through 1995; and was Chair of the Chicago Transit Board from 1995 to 2005. She is currently the CEO of The Habitat Company, a real estate development and management company, which she joined in 1995. She was a Member of the Board of Chicago Stock Exchange (2000-2007, as Chairman, 2004-2007).

She is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago and a Trustee of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Ms. Jarrett serves on the board of directors of USG corporation, a Chicago based building materials corporation. Jarrett is one of Senator Obama’s longest serving advisors and “closest campaign aides – an insider widely tipped for a top position in an Obama administration.”
(Translation: Michelle’s Pick)

Pete Rouse: Chief of staff for Obama the candidate, Rouse had worked for South Dakota Senator Thomas A. Daschle, the former majority leader, and was planning to retire after Daschle lost in 2004. However, Rouse was contacted by a Harvard Law School friend of Obama’s and chose to work for Obama in 2004.

Rouse helped prepare a memo, “The Strategic Plan,” for Obama’s first year in the Senate. Helping Obama navigate Senate politics and yet remain an outsider, Rouse advised Obama against criticizing Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) while voting against ethics reform legislation. (Obama worked with Senator Russell Feingold on strengthening amendments). Similarly, he suggested that Obama speak with Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Joseph I. Lieberman in the early stages of exploring his presidential candidacy. Rouse also is credited with persuading Obama to vote against the nomination of John G. Roberts, Jr., who is now Chief Justice of the United States. Overall, Rouse has worked on Capitol Hill for more than 30 years, since 1971. Rouse has been called the “101st Senator” because of the depth of his experience and sway on the Hill.
(Translation: Arm Twister)

Advisory Board: Carol Browner, William Daley, Christopher Edley, Michael Froman, Julius Genachowski, Donald Gips, Governor Janet Napolitano, Federico Pena, Susan Rice, Sonal Shah, Mark Gitenstein, and Ted Kaufman.

Transition Senior Staff:
Chris Lu — Executive Director
Dan Pfeiffer — Communications Director
Stephanie Cutter — Chief Spokesperson
Cassandra Butts — General Counsel
Jim Messina — Personnel Director
Patrick Gaspard — Associate Personnel Director
Christine Varney — Personnel Counsel
Melody Barnes — Co-Director of Agency Review
Lisa Brown — Co-Director of Agency Review
Phil Schiliro –Director of Congressional Relations
Michael Strautmanis –Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs
Katy Kale — Director of Operations
Brad Kiley — Director of Operations