It's Official: Axelrod Joining Obama White House

President-elect Barack Obama made David Axelrod's White House post official Wednesday, naming his chief campaign strategist as a senior advisor to the president.

From Greg Hinz's account in Crain's Chicago Business:

Mr. Axelrod, 53, worked as Mr. Obama's chief strategist during the presidential campaign and led the new president's successful Senate race four years ago. A New York City native and former Chicago Tribune reporter, he also played key roles in the election of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Mr. Emanuel, and Hillary Clinton to the U.S. Senate.

A press release announcing the appointment did not indicate whether he will move to Washington -- that is expected -- or whether he will dispose of his interest in his consulting firm, AKP&D Message and Media.

Click here for complete coverage of Obama's transition.

Comments

[Irish55]

Congratulations David! Great news that you will be with Pres Obama to advise him in the WH. Hope Robert Gibbs and David Plouffe join you there too. Keep the team together.

[jdmba]

This is not meant to be snarky: what specific duties does a Senior Advisor have? I know both Jarret and Axelrod are extremely intelligent, qualified members of Pres O's trusted campaign staff, so it's great that they have positions, but what exactly does that mean after the transition?

[pinkbunny]

Personally I think they are there to give him 3rd party advise, on how his actions may be perceived by those outside the administration. Or advise to keep him on message. just my guess....

You'll have some advisors giving him subject matter advise, others giving him advise on politics, others on public relations, etc.

[DontJustFollow]

In reality he is just there to get some pay back. Think Karl Rove only on our side -
There is extreme loyalty in the Chicago Machine.

[Coinyer101]

finally! a pick to be proud of! why can't he find more guys like this for cabinet posts? i'm very happy with this news. i needed it after all this clintonizing we been getting so far. maybe axelrod can help keep the DC 'gameplayers' focused on their jobs ,for a 'change'.

[bosshogg]

great for Axelrod now just trying figure what Plouffe can do

[kotipup]

Me, too. Maybe as next chairman of the DNC?

[Shieldmaiden]

I really admire Axelrod, he's a genius. And he seems very quiet, calm, and drama free, which is what Obama needs.

[Coinyer101]

I AGREEE!!!!!! i'm happy again,now. axelrod will keep a 'hook' on any of these cabinet picks that get out of hand playing their old DC games. THIS is the kind of people i would like to see in cabinet posts! maybe he has friends?

[SMP]

Congrats Axelrod..y­ou earned this appointmen­t...

now waiting on Gibbs and Plouffe...­..they earned a spot also

[reno1190]

GIBBS WH PRESS SECRETARY

[4wehttam]

Gibbs is Press Sec.....ju­st hadn't been made fully official yet. Plouffe is planning on running for office I believe.

[care4mypeeps]

Congratulations to Mr Axlerod for a job well done during the elction process and his recent appointment as Senior Advisor to the President.

My prayer is that President elect Obama has a smooth transition with a mirad of staff that has been
been carefully selected to carry out a bi-partisan agenda.

[benne]

Yeah, another man. Way to be the face of America!

[jeg]

I'm guessing you missed the Valerie Jarrett announcement.

Either that, or you'd just rather be snippy.

[Shieldmaiden]

You've missed the Hillary fiasco haven't you?

[Cookie100]

Good, the David's and Robert are great!

[AlexFTW]

Ah, finally something official.

[JayeSF]

Good Picks: Emmanuel, Gibbs, Daschle, Axelrod

....Not: Holder (no!), Gates (no, no !), Clinton (no, no, no !)....

Obama/Biden need to recruit on their own, new people...n­ot flaccid retreads from other administra­tions....

..and leave Hillary in the Senate...s­he can do more for progressives there.....

[Coinyer101]

someone i agree with......­. finally.

[Invox]

Emmanuel was a Clinton staffer.

Obama is a pragmatist. That means he will connect the dots between problem and solution. We live in a very, very important time. Obama needs to choose his people based on getting a job done. If someone from Clinton's administration is the one to get it done, then that person should get the appointment. We can't afford to say "should" or "should not" any more. It's a luxury of the past and a stumbling block for the future.

Obama's doing a good job. Let's support him!

[drsmc41]

PO Obama is doing what he think is best for this country. I think Axelrod is a great choice.

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Good pick!!!

[gladys46]

Best advisor in the world ... and what really matters, he cares about our P.E. ... I think that's important !

[honeydiva]

don't leave the one that brought ya

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Couldn't have said it better....

[blaqntelligence]

Ditto!