Top Obama aide Daley to step down

WASHINGTON – White House chief of staff Bill Daley is stepping down after only one year in office and will be replaced by budget director Jack Lew, US officials said yesterday.

The departure of President Barack Obama’s top aide in an election year suggests a White House that is eager to eliminate distractions as it works to keep the president in office after 2013.

Though popular with staff, Mr Daley alienated parts of Mr Obama’s liberal-leaning base, particularly Democrats in Congress, who bristled at presidential criticism that grouped them together with the Republican opposition.

Mr Lew was instrumental in negotiating the debt ceiling talks with Republicans last summer.

© 2012 Reuters

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