(CNN) – Ron Klain, former chief of staff for Vice President Al Gore, has agreed to serve in the same post under Vice President-elect Joe Biden, a Democratic source involved in the transition tells CNN.
Klain also served as general counsel of Gore's Florida recount effort, and was recently portrayed by Kevin Spacey in an HBO movie about the event. Reached by CNN, Klain would not confirm or deny reports he had accepted the position, but the Democratic source said it was a "done deal."
Klain previously worked with Biden when he served as chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the early 1990's. At that time, Biden was chairman of the committee.
Klain is a graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard Law School.
– CNN's Suzanne Malveaux and Martina Stewart contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Most of these leaks to the press have been wrong so far, so I will wait until the official announcement before I believe it.
And the republican whimpering about bipartisanship starts in 3......2.........1.....
Yep! I see that CHANGE meant going back to the people of the Clinton/Gore years.
We here in Arizona are still keeping our fingers cross that Obama would pick Janet Napitano for his cabinet and we can be rid of her once and for all.
Although I know that President Obama and Vice President Biden want some experience surrounding them, I would prefer new people rahter than the same rethreads from the Clinton administration. Nothing against the Clintons but, I'm quite sure there are some talented folks out there who never had a chance to work in government, that would love to be selected for these important positions. I don't know this guy so I cannot say honestly if he is a good choice or not. I hope to see some new faces to government in Obama's administration. And why isn't he reaching across party lines to pull people in? There are great Republicans, Libertarians, Green Party and Constitution Party candidates who would be great in some of these positions. Now if you, President Obama want to make a statement of change, that would be a great way to do it.
New Obama Slogan: CHANGE THAT CAN BE RECYCLED FROM CLINTON-GORE.
Oh, dear. Poor Sarah Palin is going to be so disappointed that another position where she could have used her vast "executive experience" is going to someone else. Darn those Harvard law degrees! Darn those conniving Democrats!
would take any fresh face especially without white hair. Kinda tired of same old same old.....
Kevin Spacey is going to be Joe Biden's Chief of Staff? Seriously, chief of staff is one of those roles where you want someone that you have experience with. Joey B has experience with this chap, and Ron Klain knows where the bathrooms are in Washington. Good pick Mr. VP elect sir!
what democratic source?
can yoiu "journalist" start using some names?
I'm just suppose to believe yoiu "unbiased" people?
Puhleeze!
Your credibility is shot!
Great pick! He'll fight hard with Joe to keep moving forward and we know this, our voice and votes will matter to him.
If it hasn't been announced by the Obama camp publicly the odd that this story is accurate are similar to the likelihood that Palin can give an interview without revealing her utter lack of knowledge about just about every topic discussed. In other words, there is no chance that Klain is going to be Biden's chief of staff.
...so the VP chief of staff is the same guy who was VP chief of staff for the VP before the current VP... Glad to know it's a slow news day; things must be OK in the world... going back to my nap now...
I have no problem with bringing back the old guard of the Clinton years but it is funny to see Obama doing so.
Biden is smart to go with experience in his Chief of Staff.
More "change" from the Obama-Biden ticket.
Obama, during his speeches, kept talking about getting rid of the "old Washington Politics", what happen?
Awesome – just what we need, CHANGE – somebody who's never been a VP Chief of Staff before.
Oops. That's not change.
Suckers.
Hey, where's all that CHANGE people were raving on about for close to TWO FULL YEARS????
Yet another Clinton/Gore type is being recycycled.
Guess everything old is new again!
The Obama Campaign – America's biggest CON JOB.
Looks like "experience counts" after all...
good.
Hmm, another Georgetown/Harvard graduate in the white house? More good news for America, long overdue.
Ronny will spend the majority of his time pulling Biden's foot out of Biden's mouth and apologizing for his moronic gaffes, unless Obama puts a muzzle on him from day one.
Who was elected , I thought it was Obama at least that's who I voted
for , Why are all the Clinton people moving in What's going on did Obama loose his brain???
Change Change Change...NOT
OK, the Obama administration is filling up with people from Clinton, Gore, Carter and John Kerry.
So much for change.
Like everyone else that's commented, I'd like to know where are all the NEW faces and Washington outsiders that are supposed to help bring CHANGE. If I'd known we were going to get a rerun of the Clinton White House, I'd have done more to help elect Hillary Clinton.
Speak for yourself, Scott Tucson, last I heard there "in Arizona" Janet Napolitano (ten seconds of research to learn how to spell your own governor's name, please, I've never set foot in AZ in my life and I can spell it) is poised to knock John McCain out of his Senate seat in 2010.
Very Good for VP- Elect Biden, Klain previously worked with Biden when he served as chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee
Obama is tapping all the smart people. He said he would bring change to America and Washington – not that he wouldn't use the people that had been there before!!! Change doesn't mean all new people – it means a new attitude and new goals.
Obama and Biden are making smart, measured choices. Not tapping their friends and Daddy's friends like GW Bush.
Republican "whine" tastes best in the morning!
Keep it coming, my cups almost empty!!!
To CanIcallyouJoe
And the Democratic lies about change start.. oh, wait, they already did!
VERY NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK RON ...
Unless I am mistaken, it is a change from Bush to Obama. President Obama did not say he was going out there and pick all new people who never been in government before. Get over your self, and let the people we put in office do what it is they know how to do. If we had wanted you we would have voted for you but we didn’t.
Klain is an excellent choice since he and Biden have worked together before and know each other's personalities and what each of them will expect from the other. They will make a great team.
You closed minded idiots posting on this site. When Obama campaigned for change, he campaigned for change in direction from what the Bush Administration has put us through for the last 8 years which was pure hell. What has America accomplished in the last 8 years under Bush besides and endless war, foreclosures, high job losses, and plain economic turmoil. Stop being ignorant and face the fact that we have a new president who will go the distance to make certain that the change from the last 8 years happens. Why not take individuals from an administration that made America prosper. Should we take individuals from Bush administration, I THINK NOT!!
Obama seems to be selecting some pretty, pretty, pretty good individuals with widsom and experience. Surround yourself with the brightest and best......it makes governing a little easier.
Is he still wasting everyone's time by asking the question nobody cares about?
Who won? Who freakin won?
George W. Bush won. In case you still can't accept it.
Another Washington insider... Change!? What Change!!??
Klain would be an excellent choice. Highly intelligent man who knows how to get things done in Washington. No wonder the Repugs are already whining.
Wow, glad to see that Obama-Biden are staying with their promise of CHANGE. HAHAHA Obama taps Rahm Emmanuel, formerly of the Clinton Administration, and now Biden taps this guy formerly Al Gore's Chief of Staff. That is true change. These guys have never stood for change. 52% of America was too stupid to see they got hoodwinked.
Um..there are SEVERAL jobs that can and will be filled by Rethuglicans, Independents, etc...the most TRUSTED jobs should not go to someone on the other side of the isle..they should go to someone who they can TRUST and are comfortable with and that is their option...quit whining about NOTHING...geesh...
Pat F
To CanIcallyouJoe
And the Democratic lies about change start.. oh, wait, they already did!
-----------------------
And yet another repub not even waiting until the man actually gets in office before they start spouting off about change.
For all of the neo-con nay-sayers: unfortunately Jesus Christ and Sean Hannity were unavailable so they went with Klain. Get over it.
GoodChoice!!
They've chosen all of four people for their combined staff, when they have dozens to hire.
What, you thought the first person Obama would hire was NOT someone who supported him?
Even when working with new people, and working across the aisle, your chiefs of staff should be someone who know what they are doing and someone who has at least similar viewpoints to you.
So for you who are crying "NO CHANGE" – At least wait and see who he puts on his cabinet. I know its tough, but you have at least four years to cry foul, you can wait at least two weeks before starting
Folks, not to get off the subject here, but there is no where else to post this. Why are CNN and all the other major news outlets not talking about what is going on with the 700 Billion bailout. Paulson has no idea what he is doing. I'm so angry at what I'm reading about the change of plan with this bailout. I just read this morning that the banks and other financial institutions presented a plan to the federal tresaury about possible debt forgiveness on consumers (a percentage of overall debt) so that consumers can get out from underneath and start spending again. They shot it down. Why? Why would they shoot something that is such a heavy burden on our economy and is one of the reason why people are not spending. I;m not saying don't pay your bills, but if debt can be lessened and it will help shake the economy back into the right direction. why not? They can bailout this huge institution so they can hoard the money and do nothing with it, but they seem so determined not to directly help the consumer. What is going on in this country ? Why is no one bringing this to the forefront about the offer that was put in for the debt forgiveness and no major media outlet is reporting on it? They can give these executives and CEO's there big fat bonus and benefits. But they refuse to directly help the consumer any way possible. I'm so angry about what they are doing and the american public is just standing by and watching them rape our wallets and they will not help us at all. Only there croonies.
It's really something that Obama gave the Clintons no credit during this primary season for any of the Clinton's achievements in the 1990s on behalf of our country. Then in the primary debates – he often piggybacked on Sen. Clinton's comments. Now, here he is relying on the Clinton administration officials to get him on track and support his efforts. I'm glad he is turning to the Clinton officials (they along with their president did a great job in the 1990s), but I'm not pleased with the disrespect and lack of credit shown during the primary season. As Americans, we owe the Clintons some gratitude and respect.
I look forward to returning to that time of economic security and stability under Pres. Obama.
President elect Obama has not taken office yet and Republicans are whining and complaining about what he has done that they do not like. Well he ran his campaign on "CHANGE" and not "100% SATISFACTION". In fact he said there would be times when we did not agree with him but even then he would listen so people please give him a break. Stop complaining about his choices for office in his administration and let him surround himself with people that are smart and people he can work with.
REMEMBER please people that have not seen any changes yet and people that see businesses going down the tube that the President elect has not taken office yet and will not have any powers or authorities until January 20th, of 2009.
Hum.... Clinton had great people working for him and that is a sincere change from the current Adminstration .... we will see though.
Change does not mean selecting people who have never been in Washington, or never been in politics. If Obama and Biden were to select those, you'd scream that they were picking people with even less experience.
Obama and Biden campaigned on change, as in a change of direction, a change in focus, a change in positions. For goodness sake, let them pick people for their staffs that can help them accomplish that instead of all of this sore loser bellyaching. Geez, if you just had screamed as loud when Bush was taking away our rights as citizens, or when Bush promoted torture as an interrogation tool, in complete contradiction to every treaty and international agreement we've signed in 200 years, maybe the Republicans wouldn't have lost. Oh, but then there was the nasty situation with the economy...
BIG DEAL. I NEVER SEEN A PERSON (OBAMA) GET MORE MEDIA ATTENTION THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT OR ROCK STAR EXCEPT FOR THE KING . OBAMA HAD A FREE RIDE THROUGH THIS WHOLE ELECTION AND STILL IS. I TOLD YOU HE IS NOTHING BUT A BIG MEDIA CLOWN. NOW HIS DOG COMMING TO THE WHITEHOUSE IS GETTING BIG MEDIA. WHAT A BIG -–JOKE.
Oh, and for all of you complaining about picking "retreads" from the Clinton Administration...yeah, I guess you're right. Why would we want people from the last time the federal deficit was under control, we weren't at war on three fronts, and we had a budget surplus? Gee, that's a hard one! Shut up and let the new administration at least be installed in office before you start bellyaching!
Should have just elected a Clinton. I wish Obama well but his supporters should start respecting the clinton and the 90's looks like thats where Obama wants us to go and if you all say Obama was smart in picking these people then the Clintons were dubbly smart picking these people when they didnt have resume of an effective presidency to look at.
If Klain can keep Biden from making stupid gaffes like FDR was on TV in 1929 talking about the Depression then I guess he's a good choice. Just keep Biden away from the microphones.
Answer for Irish,Paulson and Bernachi are the two biggest crooks in D.C.They own the private bank known as the "Fed".The name should be changed because it doesnt have a thing to do with our government,but it does love stealing the peoples money.
GARY wrote:
BIG DEAL. I NEVER SEEN A PERSON (OBAMA) GET MORE MEDIA ATTENTION THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT OR ROCK STAR EXCEPT FOR THE KING . OBAMA HAD A FREE RIDE THROUGH THIS WHOLE ELECTION AND STILL IS. I TOLD YOU HE IS NOTHING BUT A BIG MEDIA CLOWN. NOW HIS DOG COMMING TO THE WHITEHOUSE IS GETTING BIG MEDIA. WHAT A BIG —–JOKE.
-------------------------------
Gary: You obviously need to get into therapy. You are just envious of Pres-Elect Obama. Maybe if you get qualified and apply yourself, you too could aspire to higher office. Don't hate. You are such a typical Republican: venom spewing, intolerant and some other words that I will not mention. Get a life and deal with it, because Obama is not going anywhere soon. And another thing: Obama will be the best President of this generation/century and probably in history, because he is competent and MANY OF US are praying for his success.
That's change we can believe in!
Folks, please don't bother to comment on the Obama haters and their comments. It doesn't matter what Obama does, they will never be satisfied. Obama has been jumped on for the last 2 years. Kitchen sinks, tubs and small cars have been thrown at him and he has brushed it all off. Obama haters are just mad because he is smart, independent and has let NOTHING get to him. Now look where he is – President Elect. These little nasty comments from these people mean absolutely nothing. I'm am very proud of Obama. He is going to make a fine President. It seems like everyone has forgotten that "W" is still our President..... He still needs to earn his paycheck!!
You guys unbelievable.
Critisizing every move of the PE and Co. before they even take office. You all sound like a 5 year old who didnt get the Christmas gift they wanted. Grow up, Educate yourself instead of falling victim to all the BS.
The "Change" they reffered to was the way policies and business was conducted in DC. Let them do their job and get the people best suited for the positions in.
The bailout was a terrible plan. I said so then, and I say so now. And I have the correspondence with my Congressmen to prove it.
If you thought the government was going to ride in and save us all, then you are ignorant to history. But keep your head in the sand, because you've got at least 4 years of socialist big brother coming down the pipe.
Are you jealous Gary that a republican did not get elected in to make America even worse off than it already is?
This is just another example of how stupid some Americans are.
If the folks in the Demo. party wanted 4 more years of Clinton, should not have they voted for Hillary.
I am an independent and saw this coming months ago.
Real bright folks.
Bush used daddy retreads and see were it got us.
you have been warned and told!!!
GARY you are a BIG JOKE!
GARY: it wasn't media attention that elected barack. it was the majority of americans and a huge majority of states.if you dont like democracy, leave. your crybaby attitude will help noone. your significant other must be miserable.
HEY GARY
The first black president and first intelligent president in at least 8 years is getting media attention?????!!!!
Who would have thought it?
Come out from under your rock, you loser
Barack Obama was elected president of the United States by people who believe in what he stands for. We also trust his judgment to surround himself with the people who will make our shared vision a reality. If Barack believes some of these "old" faces can best help him build his new government, then so be it.
Chief of Staff is an important, trusted position that requires extensive experience and competence. "Change" does not mean "inexperience" or "incompetence", which might be the case if Biden had selected a "fresh young face". In fact, the only way Obama is going to get change to occur in the entrenched political system in Washington is to select the most competent, tough, experienced, honest people he can that agree with his principles- Emmanuel and Ron Klain are both excellent examples of such professionals.The White House is no place for amateurs, as previous presidents have found out the hard way.
For the life of me, I cannot to this day figure out why anyone complains about the Clinton years. Everybody had a job, we could afford gasoline....hell we could afford MILK at the grocery store!!!! I never had to choose between electricity and dinner back then! If Pres. Elect Obama wants to pick up the whole, staff, so be it!!
Try to work a bit on your spelling, Gary.
And Caps Lock OFF, please.
Based on the hate in this blog, I'd say GREAT CHOICE Biden.
President/VP Elect Obama/Biden
Yes, it may be change but is correct change? Time will tell. Please remember that these same Clinton staffers had a role in our current economic situation and trade agreements.
Where's the 'change you can believe in'?
Those "Repugs" just can't stop whining!
To those complaining about the lack of "change"with these appointments,get serious,do you honestly expect a new President to
pick a whole pile of greenhorns to help guide him through the first part
of his term.Of course you want to be surrounded by experienced
people early on,helping to set the course and facilitating the policy that will bring the"change"that is so desperately needed.
Must one go to Harvard to be able to gain a good position in government? This is crazy. I did not attend Harvard but my IQ far exceeds that of the average Harvard graduate.
Seems to be lots of people from the Clinton/Gore era.... what happened to the change this idiot thought we needed so badly
I WILL miss Cheney and his staff .....
No the reason we think Obama and Biden's choices are laughable and hypocritical is because they promised a spirit of bipartisanship when they are in office and their first choices were to choose two of the biggest partisans in Washington DC!
I'll take the Clinton/Gore "so-called" change. I had a job then. Any change from Republican is good change indeed.
WHY DO REPUBLICANS ALWAYS TYPE IN ALL CAPS?
It's considered bad netiquette.
You weak minded Obama people fell for his rhetoric. He just told you what you wanted to here. FOOLS!!!
So when a prisoner shows up in front of the judge in an Orange Suit instead of what he committed the crime in he can say judge I have changed.......Same person different clothes.
52 million Not to Bright.....I bet you are the ones who fell for the "Bad Mortages"
Palin wants to work in Obama's cabinet so would someone just give her a diploma as proof of a law degree just like she's been given everything else without a degree.
Sounds like a good choice, however, right now I am more concerned about the $700 billion that is being blown and no one has any control over Paulson ( he has no clue about what he is doing) and there is absoutely no accountability.
It's Back to the Future 4, starring Obama and the cast of the Clinton White House!
Over and over, from one article to the next, the comments show a double standard:
1) When someone criticizes a choice Obama has made, the reaction is "He's not in office yet so give him a chance."
2) When someone praises a choice Obama has made, the reaction is to agree with it and proclaim how great Obama will be.
If Obama not being in office disqualifies negative speculation about his future administration, then it logically disqualifies positive speculation about his future administration as well.
I'd rather see folks from the successful Clinton administration that what we saw with Bush, JR. All the guys from daddy's administration (Rummy, Cheney, Rove,) who were just about righting the screwups they made back then, and instead got us into this God-awful war, ruined the economy, and thumbed their noses at the Constitution by filling the Justice Dept. with people who agreed with them instead of with thoughtful lawyers who would follow the law. Bush should be impeached..NOW!
Wow, so, either he uses experienced Washington folks, and you neo-con-poops decry "where is the change?" or he uses totally new people, and you all cry "what is their experience?". Seems Limbaugh and Hannity taught you the talking points well.
By the way, what is the Republican Party going to do to rebuild its brand? Oh wait, you can't answer that, because Limbaugh and Hannity haven't told you what to say yet. Fine by me, the longer you cry, the longer you go before rebuilding your brand, and the longer we stay in power.
Keep whining. It only helps us stay in power!
If you think that Obama gave the Clintons no credit during the primary season then you obviously weren't watching. Did you expect him to shine their shoes as well? He was running against a Clinton. It's unreasonable to expect them to be out there campaigning against them and to be their biggest cheerleader at the same time.
I'm happy with all of Obama's choices thus far. He never said that he was going to fill offices with novices that have no experience. I thought that's what you people were criticizing him for. Not having enough experience.
The way to bring about change is to blend the expertise of people who know how to organize an administration and how to work with Congress and various interest groups with a source of new ideas about what change and when. Obama is offsetting his "inexperience" with experienced insiders who can help bring about his agenda. Obama is fortunate that, with all the Republican rhetoric about "if you elect him he's gonna do xxx and yyy," the public surely knew what they were getting when the majority voted him in and increased Dem numbers in Congress.
Another great choice.
Gary, you sound very angry and disappointed. You will be able to vote again in another 4 years. Palin will be your candidate, and Goofy will be her running mate. Oops, Disney just pulled Goofy's contract when they heard the news. LMAO
I see that the GOP watchdogs, Matt and Gary are still carrying the negative comment banner into the fray. I suppose that they are taking up the flag that Palin dropped when she lost. Sad cases one and all! Ya gotta wonder when the GOP and their puppets will learn that the negative campaigning did not work for them. It is grow up time boys! Watch an Adult in action beginning Jan 20th.
Can't wait until 1/20/09!
Wow, the Kevin Spacey character from Recount. This should be interesting. Luckily Joe isn't running for president.
So much for the fear of a third Clinton term. Boy did BO see the American people coming with his message of CHANGE. Suckers!
One of the very first things he should do is to completely check out the Vice-President's home and office for hidden bugs.
I wouldn't put it past Cheney!
Gary, this election was about restoring the honor of the United States in the world. It was about repairing the economic disaster created by Bush and ending an undeclared war of occupation.
By the misdirected anger in your message, it is clear that you understand none of this. All you are able to grasp through your minimal intellect is that an intelligent and eloquent bi-racial individual (Black to you) is more educated and more accomplished than you. And this makes you angry.
Get used to it Gary, Poor White Trash no longer has a voice in 2008 and beyond. Your kind will become extinct.
Now go do your homework Gary,in four years you will be able to vote,go to war and get a job.
Gary, Gary! You Need help, and fast. I think you're suffering from PTES, Post Traumatic Election Syndrome. Being a sore loser can kill you.
Jackie/Dallas, It is now generally recognized that the 'boom' we enjoyed during the Clinton years occured because the Fed artificially kept interest rates low. The net result is that when the bubble finally burst (like NOW) it is much worse than it would have been otherwise. Even Alan Greenspan (reappointed chairman of the Fed by Clinton) now admits it was a mistake. In other words, we are all paying now for clinton's economic success. So idead, why would we want the people responsible from the Clinton administration back? Of course, I do hope they bring back Monica Lewinsky. Great entertainment value.
Now we shall have some fun. Klain is a real fighter.
Change in policies, change in direction, change in vision, change in approach, change in diplomacy. You can get all that and it still be some of the same people. However, they have a different boss with a different agenda. You must have some people with knowledge of Washington, everybody can't be new. Having said that, the Clinton years for the most part was successful and it is nothing wrong with using what worked and leaving the rest. Even though some of the faces and names will be familiar, there is no question that Obama and Clinton are 2 different kind of leaders and will govern differently and will lead their team differently. Obama is on the right track, do start listening to all the negatives before he even has a chance to prove himself. Obama will do just fine if everybody will just stay in their own lane!
Matt, Guess what! If you can call Barack Obama an idiot then you are a fool, stupid, double idiot bigot.
These republicans here in the blog are all idiots.
They think Oabama should take McCain and goofy Palin into his administration.
Hahah what a bunch of dummies.
Gary, Shame on you. You need to go back to school so you can learn to spell. Also, let them teach you some grammer while you are at it will you!!
This is just TOO entertaining.
Wise choice! Keep up the good work Dems!
One last point to make, you will see a lot of Clinton folk as staffers, but there won't be as many in his cabinet so take a chill pill. People are just looking for a reason to criticize this man. Obama's mission is to get this country back on the right track and that mean by any means necessary. Please stop acting if this country is not in a horrible fix and it's going to take a lot to get us out of this mess. It is amazing how some of you idiots are blaming Obama more than Bush and his failed administration.
Why the haste. Allo obama to ge to office first. If he is unable to deliver you can blame him. Stop the racism.