U.S. President Barack
Obama on Thursday named William Daley, an executive banker and former Commerce
Secretary under Clinton administration, as his new Chief of Staff.

U.S. President Barack Obama (C) smiles while presenting William Daley (R) as his new permanent Chief of Staff to replace acting Chief of Staff Pete Rouse (L) while in the East Room of the White House in Washington, January 6, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The 62-year-old Daley
will replace Pete Rouse, who stepped in to fill the position after Rahm Emanuel
left to run for Chicago Mayor. Rouse will become a counselor to the president.

“Few Americans can boast
the breadth of experience that Bill brings to this job,” Obama told reporters at
the White House. “But most of all, I know Bill to be somebody who cares deeply
about this country.”

Daley has strong
background both in political arena and business community. When serving as
Commerce Secretary, he headed up President Bill Clinton’s effort to enact the
historic NAFTA treaty. He is now a senior executive at banking giant JPMorgan
Chase, with close ties with the business world.

“He possesses a deep
understanding of how jobs are created and how to grow our economy,” said Obama.
“I’m convinced that he’ll help us in our mission of growing our economy and
moving America forward.”

Just like Emanuel, Daley
comes from Chicago, and is a brother of the city’s current mayor Richard M.
Daley. Their father, Richard, J. Daley also served as the city’s mayor.

Analysts said the new pick
for Chief of Staff, a powerful figure inside the White House, reflected Obama’s
intention to improve relations with the business community, which have become
sour in his first two years.

In pushing through his top
legislative priorities such as healthcare reform, Wall Street regulation and
climate-change policy, the president has angered industries including insurance,
financial services, energy, among others.

In another move to mend
fences, Obama is scheduled to speak to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the most
powerful business group in the country, on Feb. 7. Obama and the chamber have
clashed over healthcare and climate-change policy.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet