Meet Pete Rouse, Obama's New Chief of Staff

So who is this Pete Rouse, the man expected to step into Rahm Emanuel's shoes tomorrow? The president's senior aide is a longtime one and not unfamiliar with serving as his chief of staff—Rouse was hired in that job when then-Sen. Obama first arrived in Washington, reports the New York Times. He keeps a low profile, is said to be liked and respected by Democrats and Republicans, and has three decades of insider knowledge on how to get things done within the bureaucracy of Washington.

Prior to joining Obama's staff six years ago, Rouse was known as the "101st senator" during his years working for Tom Daschle; with Daschle's defeat in 2004, Rouse took a demotion and signed on to Obama's staff (apparently at Daschle's urging). He's partially credited, the Times notes, with Obama's quick ascendance. (More Pete Rouse stories.)