Biden chooses a White House chief who ‘matches this moment’

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In the midst of an economic crisis brought on by a global pandemic, President-elect Joe Biden has chosen as his chief of staff a longtime ally who has experience managing both a massive stimulus package to revive a moribund economy and the government response to a public health catastrophe.

Ron Klain, 59, has been a close member of Biden’s inner circle for more than 30 years, and a top adviser to every Democratic president and presidential nominee since the 1990s. Now, as he ascends to the top rungs of government, he will face a set of crises almost uniquely suited to his expertise.

“He has spent his whole life getting ready for this moment,” said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), for whom Klain worked in the U.S. House. “Ron Klain is a man who matches this moment in terms of the background, the experience and the wisdom we’re going to need.” Continue reading.

Biden names Ron Klain as chief of staff

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President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday named Ron Klain as his chief of staff, according to two sources close to the transition.

Klain, Biden’s longtime confidant and chief of staff during his years as vice president, had been considered a favorite for the role.

He served as one of Biden’s main advisers as the former vice president prepared to debate President Trump ahead of the election. 

“Ron has been invaluable to me over the many years that we have worked together, including as we rescued the American economy from one of the worst downturns in our history in 2009 and later overcame a daunting public health emergency in 2014,” Biden said in a statement.  Continue reading.