President Obama Picks Bill Daley as Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2011— -- President Obama today announced the appointment of former commerce secretary William Daley as White House chief of staff.

Daley is "an experienced public servant, devoted patriot, my friend, fellow Chicagoan," Obama told a roomful of staff members and supporters at the White House. "Few Americans can boast the breadth of experience that Bill brings to this job."

Obama's choice of Daley to replace outgoing chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is the first in a handful of senior White House staff changes since the start the new year, reflecting the new political realities in Washington and early preparations for a re-election battle in 2012.

The shake-up effectively retools the public face of the administration, with three of the most highly visible members of Obama's closest inner circle -- Rahm Emanuel, Robert Gibbs and David Axelrod -- all departing as Obama heads into the second half of his first term.

Emanuel left as chief of staff in October to run for mayor of Chicago. Gibbs announced Wednesday he would step down as press secretary to become a private sector adviser. And senior aide Axelrod is likely to soon follow suit.

The list of replacements and possible replacements is dominated by experienced Washington insiders, many with track records of bipartisan deal-making. Whoever Obama picks will help set the tone for negotiations with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and chart a course for advancing the administration's agenda.

With many of the open posts expected to be filled within days, here's a look at the senior staff members who are on the way out -- and some of their likely replacements: