David Axelrod: Obama's Senior Adviser?

ABC News reports:

Former Obama chief strategist David Axelrod has accepted the position of Senior Adviser in the White House, sources tell ABC News.

He will join Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill, who has accepted the position of Obama's White House Chief of Staff.

Axelrod is a sharp political strategist and Emanuel brings a lot of strengths to the office.

The New Republic adds that Axelrod and Emanuel are close friends -- Axelrod even signed the ketubah at Emanuel's wedding. Rolling Stone quotes Emanuel saying that during the campaign, they spoke several times a day in a "sounding board" capacity.

The New York Times wrote of Axelrod recently:

In many ways, Mr. Axelrod is a classic example of the Washington political consultant (even though he lives in Chicago and says he has no intention of moving to the capital if Mr. Obama wins). He has been making advertisements and offering advice for candidates for mayor, senator and president for a generation, since quitting his job as a newspaper reporter in 1984. He has a particular specialty in helping black candidates appeal to white electorates and has tallied up a list of corporate clients along the way.

But Mr. Axelrod, in this client-consultant relationship, appears to be something different, with a personal investment in Mr. Obama's success that is obvious in the distress marked on his face whenever the candidate comes under attack.

Every politician has a guardian angel, and every presidential hopeful has a right-hand dispenser of wisdom. Yet in the trio of top strategists around Mr. Obama, including Robert Gibbs, a senior communications adviser, and David Plouffe, the campaign manager, it is Mr. Axelrod who has been at Mr. Obama's side the longest and has the most interwoven relationship with him.

"Although he is as tough as they come, he's actually not a mercenary," said Mr. Obama, of Illinois, in an interview. "He actually believes in what we're doing, which actually makes him a bad consultant when he doesn't believe in the candidate. And he's a great consultant when he believes."

Go here for news on Obama's Cabinet and the transition.

Comments

[Ccouncil]

I would like to see one or two of the following in Mr. President-elect Obamas cabinet/white house: women, asians, hispanics, AA & native americans.

[BLinCincinnati]

How about we put in people that are the most qualified...

We just elected a black President because he was the most qualified... NOT based on the color of his skin. Now you want him to stuff his cabinet full of minorities based on the color of their skin?

Sigh... you people never quit do you.

[sf girl]

"You people?" What do you mean, 'you people'?"

[cassiopex]

We need diversity because these are the people who voted for him and help him get there: blacks, hispanics, women... We need to reward their trust and continue to open doors for them because, later, in the next election, they will open doors for Dems.

Gibbs, Axelrod, Rahm: smart, disciplined, non squirmish liberal... I think they are all good choices. Now, if Emanuel could start by kicking Pelosi's behind and tell her to stop being so nice with the neocons maybe we'll get somewhere faster.

[salsmom]

No, agree with Ccouncil - want his administration to be as diverse as the folks who supported him and yes we want all of his appointees to be qualified regardless of the color of their skin.

[fromphilly]

See this is the problem with folks like you (and others that vehemently oppose such things as Affirmative Action). No one is saying choose someone SOLELY because of their skin color. The idea is to look at QUALIFIED people of all kinds, and from that pool choose people that represent the electorate. You know...those Hispanics, African Americans, Women, Independents, Republicans, etc. that voted for President-Elect Obama. Good grief!

[bbbear]

I fully agree. Yet surely there are men and women in all ethnic groups who are at least equally qualified...Forget their ethnicity. Vet them, interview them multiple times, then choose the best fit. If it ends up all Asian, or all African American, Mexican American, or all male or all female, etc... then so be it. Just as long as the Obama team has the best and brightest.

[sillyseason]

You'll see it.

[Lotus19]

Yeah Ccouncil...one or two more? You got the one...what else do you want? Sheesh..."you people".

[theVoice0fReason]

Just what, pray tell, is THAT supposed to mean?

Offensive much?

[jackstpaul]

Rciahrdson at State, Female as AG, Republican at Def.

Therewill be a diverse group of qualified poeple. With the center person of it all being Black, therres sligthy less of an imperative to have an African American or other minority in one of the top Cabinet jobs, Richardson is is Latino, Rahm is Jewish. Susan Rice might get something high profile--NSA, Amb to U. Diversity will happen.

[Lotus19]

What say you if Hillary had been elected and did not consider any women for top posts? Do you think people would find it unreasonable if women simply expressed their wish (and I doubt it would be as minor as simply expressing) to have "other" women in her cabinet, besides just her as the head?

[LiberalSwede]

While I like Axelrod and think he'll do fine, Obama needs to be careful too that he doesn't end up crony-istic like our current President.

[gle helle]

Cronyism is appointing incompetent people with no real experience, based solely on personal connections.

Hiring people who you know and who are capable and qualified is not cronyism.

[dubstyleenation]

Hear Hear!

[SunshineDaydream]

excellent response!! well done.

[sf girl]

It's not cronyism when the people you surround yourself with are actually the best qualified. It's not like he's Sarah Palin, who appointed childhood friends to jobs they were unqualified for--Obama surrounded himself with talented, smart people from the beginning.

[bbbear]

Exactly.

[Trofinios]

Axelrod is a wise, highly intelligent and reflective person. And if there is anyone who is just as cool as Obama it is Axelrod.

[roshni]

Another excellent choice! Obama will benefit from Axelrod's loyalty, excellence and No Drama approach.

[dubstyleenation]

True people who can EXECUTE, rarely posture before they the bring the hammer down. They walk the walk and talk the talk. We need intelligent swiftness in the white house and for once in the last 8 years, I'm completely confident in my presidents decisions.

[bbbear]

I fully agree!

[MBLADY]

President-Elect Obama will no doubt have the finest "Dream Team" we've ever seen!

[iceage7]

Al Gore-Energy Secretary-Please. Who seconds that

[karma004]

Definitely!! Gore would be superb!!

[Scottyp]

Okay, but is he interested? Somebody give him a call.

[Ecka]

There's talk he'll get a new cabinet position, on Global Warming issues, not Energy.

[sf girl]

I thought he was looking at RFK, Jr. for an environmental post?

[SueEll]

Yes! I really respect David Axelrod! He has a reputation as a decent and humble man.

[iceage7]

Obama is smart. Keep yor close friends whom you can trust in the white house. The people who helped you in the campaign Plouff, Axelrod and Gibbs. These are the people you need in the white house. Rahm too was a close supporter. Especially since he was close to the Clintons he did not even endorse Hillary.

[lovethesinner]

How do I love David Axelrod, let me count the ways... (he's a real mensch)

[Lvm]

Class act all the way.

[Samirah1368]

I crush this man...brilliance is so damn hot!

[yhgtup]

Here we go!! Barack is getting his "peeps" in order!! Fantastic!! Awesome!!

[Teritt]

Amen!

[NYRalf]

The Dream Team is slowly forming.

[NRDavis]

Very good news! Now we need to find a job for David Plouffe.

[karma004]

Again, definitely! Plouffe needs a post ... has done fantastic job - great part of campaign team.

[peacegurl48]

He is so damn smart and cool...awesome choice.

[Rebecca]

Axelrod is the man! Fantastic choice.

[Gdebs]

I see the good side of Rahm Emanuel but what about his support for attacking Iran and his conservatism?

google Rahm emanuel attack Iran and see what you get.

[roshni]

Emanuel is going to be chief of staff - his job will not involve making foreign policy. He is known as the person who aggressively achieves his goals and works hard.