White House Chief of Staff William Daley Stepping Down

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Week my chief of staff bill -- informed me that after spending time reflective of -- family over the holidays.

He decided it was time to leave Washington and returned to.

Our beloved hometown of Chicago.

Obviously this was not easy news to hear.

And I didn't except bill's.

Decision right away in fact I asked him to take a couple of days to make sure that.

He was sure about this but in the end.

The -- of the hometown we both love.

City that's been synonymous with the daily family for generations.

Was too great.

Bill told me that he want to spend more time on the scrambling especially his grandchildren and he felt it was the right decision.

One of the things that made it easier was the extraordinary work that he is done.

For me during what has been an extraordinary year.

Bill has been an outstanding chief of staff during one of the busiest.

And most consequential years of my administration.

We were thinking back just -- you're -- this weekend before he was even named for the job.

Bill what's in the situation room getting updates on the shooting in Tucson.

On his very first day bill took part in a meeting where we discussed Osama bin Laden's compound in about about.

This was all before he even had time to -- His office.

Over the last year he's been intimately involved in every decision surrounding the end of the war in Iraq.

And our support of the people of Libya as they fought for the freedom.

He was instrumental in developing the American Jobs Act and making sure taxes didn't go up on middle class families.

He helped us reach an agreement to reduce the deficit by over two trillion dollars -- played a central role in passing historic trade agreements we have South Korea.

Colombia and Panama.

Given his past.

Record of service as -- secretary of commerce he was invaluable and all these negotiations.

So no one of my administration has had to make more important decisions more quickly.

Then bill.

And that's.

Why I think this decision was difficult for me.

Naturally when bill told -- -- plans to go back to Chicago I asked him who I thought could fill his shoes.

He told me that there was one clear -- and I believe he's right.

So today I'm pleased to announce that Jack quote -- agreed to serve as my next chief of staff.

Let me Begin first of -- by thinking wrote for allowing Jack to serve -- what do I know is one of the most difficult jobs in Washington.

Projects had one -- the other most difficult jobs in Washington for more than a year Jack has served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

As anyone who's been following the news lately can tell you this is not an easy job.

During his first -- At OMB under President Clinton Jack was the only budget director in history to provide -- preside over budget surpluses for three consecutive years.

And over the last year he has helped strengthen our economy and streamline the government at a time when we need to do everything we can to keep our recovery going.

-- economic advice has been invaluable.

And he has my complete trust both because of his mastery of the numbers.

But because of the values behind those numbers.

Ever since he began his career in public service is top aide to speaker Tip O'Neill.

Jackets fought for an America where hard work and responsibility pay off.

A place where everybody gets a fair shot her body does their fair share your body plays by the same rules and that belief is reflected.

In every decision that Jack -- Jack also has my confidence on matters outside the borders.

Before he served at -- for me.

Jack spent two years running the extremely complex and challenging budget and operations process.

For Secretary Clinton at the State Department where -- portfolio also included managing the civilian operations.

In Iraq and Afghanistan.

And over the last year he has weighed in on many of the major foreign policy decisions that we've made so.

There is no question that I'm gonna deeply mess having bill by my side here at the White House.

But.

As he will soon find out -- is only a phone call away and I'm going to be using that phone number quite a bit.

I plan to continue to seek bill's advice and counsel on a whole range of issues in the months and years to come.

And here in Washington I have every confidence that Jack will make sure that we don't miss -- beat.

And continue to do everything we can to strengthen our economy.

And the middle class and keep the American people safe so I want to thank.

Once again bill for his extraordinary service.

But also his extraordinary -- and loyalty to me.

It's not a lot and I want to congratulate Jack on his new role I know he is gonna do an outstanding job so thank.

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White House Chief of Staff William Daley Stepping Down

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