Pete Rouse

American political consultant
Pete Rouse
Rouse in 2009
Counselor to the President
In office
January 13, 2011 – January 1, 2014
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byEd Gillespie (2009)
Succeeded byJohn Podesta
Acting White House Chief of Staff
In office
October 1, 2010 – January 13, 2011
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byRahm Emanuel
Succeeded byBill Daley
Senior Advisor to the President
In office
January 20, 2009 – October 1, 2010
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byBarry Jackson
Succeeded byBrian Deese
Personal details
Born
Peter Mikami Rouse

(1946-04-15) April 15, 1946 (age 78)
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationColby College (BA)
London School of Economics (MA)
Harvard University (MPA)

Peter Mikami Rouse (born April 15, 1946) is an American political consultant who served as interim White House Chief of Staff to U.S. President Barack Obama. Rouse previously spent many years on Capitol Hill, becoming known as the "101st senator"[1] during his tenure as Chief of Staff to Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle.

When Daschle lost his seat in 2004, Rouse was persuaded to stay in Congress as Chief of Staff to then-freshman Senator Barack Obama. Rouse followed Obama to the White House as a senior advisor in 2008 and became interim Chief of Staff there for several months following the departure of Rahm Emanuel in October 2010, and subsequent appointment of William M. Daley the following January. Rouse remained with the White House until late 2013 as Counselor to the President.

Early life

Rouse was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of Mary Uta (née Mikami) and Irving Rouse. His father was of English and some Bohemian (Czech) descent, and his mother was of Japanese ancestry[1] (Rouse is a sansei (third generation)).[2] Rouse's mother grew up as a child only speaking Japanese.[3] Rouse's maternal grandfather emigrated from Tokyo to San Francisco in 1885. He returned to Japan in 1910 to marry his wife, before they then moved back to the U.S., eventually settling in Alaska in 1915.[4] The Mikamis retired to Los Angeles shortly before World War II began. They were later sent to an internment camp in Arizona during the War.[5]

Rouse received a B.A. from Colby College in 1968, an M.A. from the London School of Economics in 1970, and an M.P.A. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1977.[6]

Career

Overall, Rouse worked on Capitol Hill for more than 40 years, since 1971. According to Amy Sullivan of Washington Monthly Rouse came to be known as "the 101st Senator" thanks to his knowledge and skills.[7]

With Daschle

Rouse had worked since 1985 for Daschle, whom he met as a fellow legislative assistant for Senator James Abourezk (D-SD).[8]

On October 15, 2001, Rouse was the Daschle staff member to call the police about a letter that contained anthrax powder.[9] Twenty of Daschle's staff subsequently tested positive for exposure to anthrax spores; it is not known if Rouse was exposed along with his workmates.[10]

With Obama in Senate

Rouse had been chief of staff to South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle, the former majority leader, and was planning to retire after Daschle lost in 2004.[6] However, in 2004, Rouse was contacted by a law school friend of then-Illinois Senator Obama and chose to work for him as his chief of staff.[11][12]

Rouse helped prepare a memo, "The Strategic Plan," for Obama's first year in the Senate.[13] Helping Obama navigate Senate politics, Rouse worked with Obama and Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) on strengthening ethics reform legislation.[14] Similarly, he suggested that Obama speak with Senators Ted Kennedy and Joe Lieberman in the early stages of exploring his presidential candidacy. Rouse also is credited with persuading Obama to vote against the nomination of John G. Roberts, who was nevertheless confirmed and is now Chief Justice of the United States (Bacon 2007).

As with all congressional staff, Rouse's compensation is public information. He has received salary payments above $140,000 during his years with Senator Obama.[15]

As the Obama Presidential Campaign picked up, Rouse was named Chief of Staff of Obama for America. After Obama's victory, Rouse became Co-Chair of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.

Role as Senior Advisor

During the first two years of the Obama Presidency, Rouse was one of three White House officials with the title Senior Adviser to the President, along with David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett. In an interview, Rouse said that he "basically does the inside, organizational stuff and strategic stuff internally," adding that he had no desire to be the "outside person" but preferred to leave external relations to Axelrod, Jarrett and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Rouse said the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Jim Messina and Mona Sutphen, "who run the place from day to day," report to him. Asked about his overall portfolio, he said "I fix things." He described himself as one of several problem fixers in a collaborative environment.[16]

The Rolling Stone described Rouse as a low profile, calm and legislatively connected manager, quoting one "top Democratic strategist" as saying that "Rouse's the one who brought 'no drama' to Obama. His enforcement makes it work."[17]

In September 2009, the Washington Post reported that Rouse was heading the White House's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.[18]

White House Chief of Staff

Rouse speaking with President Obama in the Oval Office in October 2010, shortly after becoming Chief of Staff.

When Rahm Emanuel left the White House in October 2010 to run for Mayor of Chicago, Rouse became the "interim" Chief of Staff at the White House.[19] Rouse is the first Asian American Chief of Staff in U.S. history.

Counselor to the President

On January 6, 2011, it was announced that William M. Daley would succeed Rouse as permanent Chief of Staff.[20] Rouse was promoted to the role of Counselor to the President and remained with the White House through the end of 2013.[21][22]

Post White House

After leaving the White House, Rouse went to work for the law firm Perkins Coie, where he advises clients on navigating the federal government.[23]

Personal life

Rouse was born and raised in Connecticut.[24] He has an interest in Maine Coon cats.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b "Obama's likely new staff chief was known as '101st senator'". mcclatchydc. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  2. ^ "Pete Rouse ancestry". freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  3. ^ "Rouse hailed as first Asian American chief of staff". The Washington Post. 2010-10-01. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  4. ^ "Mikami, George and Mine". Cook Inlet Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  5. ^ Tom Kizzia (2010-09-30). "Obama's likely new staff chief was known as '101st senator'". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Kim, Mallie Jane (2010-10-25). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Pete Rouse". US News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Amy Off to a Good Start.... Archived 2010-10-04 at the Wayback Machine Washington Monthly, December 7, 2004
  8. ^ Preston, Roll Call July 28, 2004 as reported in The Frontrunner July 28, 2004 "SD: Top Aide Oversees All Aspects Of Daschle Operation"
  9. ^ Boyer 2001
  10. ^ Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "Over 20 Senate leader staffers test positive for anthrax." October 17, 2001
  11. ^ Bacon, Perry Jr. The Outsider's Insider Washington Post, August 27, 2007
  12. ^ Interview: Pete Rouse PBS Frontline, October 14, 2008
  13. ^ Bacon 2007
  14. ^ Kirkpatrick, David D. Senate Passes Vast Ethics Overhaul New York Times, Jan. 19, 2007
  15. ^ Peter Rouse (Pete), Congressional Staffer - Salary Data, LegiStorm.com
  16. ^ Kizzia, Tom. Anchorage Daily News. Q&A with Pete Rouse, former Alaskan and adviser to President Obama Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine. February 21, 2009. Accessed March 7, 2009.
  17. ^ Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone, Briefing: Obama's West Wing. February 25, 2009. Accessed March 7, 2009.
  18. ^ Kornblut, Anne E. and Dafna Linzer. Washington Post. White House Regroups on Guantanamo. September 25, 2009. Accessed September 27, 2009.
  19. ^ "Emanuel Resigns as Obama Chief of Staff, Eyes Chicago Mayoral Race | Fox News". foxnews.com. 26 March 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  20. ^ "Obama Picks William Daley As Chief Of Staff". NPR. 2011-01-06. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  21. ^ Bill Daley tapped as Obama's chief of staff Chicago Tribune, January 6, 2011
  22. ^ "Pete Rouse planning to leave the White House (Politico.com Article)". politico.com. 7 August 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  23. ^ "Obama aide Pete Rouse to leave White House for Perkins Coie". United Press International. January 16, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  24. ^ Pilkington, Ed (September 30, 2010). "Rahm Emanuel's White House replacement expected to be Peter Rouse". World news - The Guardian. London. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  25. ^ Henry, Ed. CNN. Henry in the House: Who Is Pete Rouse?. October 1, 2010. Accessed October 1, 2010.

External links

  • Appearances on C-SPAN
  • Pete Rouse collected news and commentary at The New York Times
  • Boyer, Dave Daschle office receives anthrax: Aide opens letter; powder positive The Washington Times, October 16, 2001
  • Lannan, Maura Kelly "Obama gets committee assignments, hires Daschle aide." Associated Press, December 6, 2004
  • Basnight, Elisa Pete Rouse: A Career on the Hill John F. Kennedy School of Government, June 26, 2007
Political offices
Preceded by Senior Advisor to the President
2009–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by White House Chief of Staff
Acting
2010–2011 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Ed Gillespie 		Counselor to the President
2011–2014 		Succeeded by
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Office Name Term Office Name Term
Secretary of State John Kerry 2013–2017 Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew 2013–2017
Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter 2015–2017 Attorney General Loretta Lynch 2015–2017
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell 2013–2017 Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack 2009–2017
Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker 2013–2017 Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez 2013–2017
Secretary of Health and
  Human Services		 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2014–2017 Secretary of Education
Secretary of Transportation		 John King Jr.
Anthony Foxx		 2016–2017
2013–2017
Secretary of Housing and Urban
  Development		 Julian Castro 2014–2017 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald 2014–2017
Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz 2013–2017 Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson 2013–2017
Vice President Joe Biden 2009–2017 White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough 2013–2017
Director of the Office of Management and
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Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power 2013–2017 Chair of the Council of Economic
  Advisers		 Jason Furman 2013–2017
Trade Representative Michael Froman 2013–2017 Administrator of the Small Business Administration Maria Contreras-Sweet 2014–2017
Below solid line: Granted Cabinet rank although not automatically part of the Cabinet. See also: Confirmations of Barack Obama's Cabinet
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Office Name Term Office Name Term
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel 2009–10 National Security Advisor James L. Jones 2009–10
Pete Rouse 2010–11 Thomas E. Donilon 2010–13
William M. Daley 2011–12 Susan Rice 2013–17
Jack Lew 2012–13 Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon 2009–10
Denis McDonough 2013–17 Denis McDonough 2010–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Mona Sutphen 2009–11 Antony Blinken 2013–14
Nancy-Ann DeParle 2011–13 Avril Haines 2015–17
Rob Nabors 2013–15 Dep. National Security Advisor, Homeland Security John O. Brennan 2009–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Jim Messina 2009–11 Lisa Monaco 2013–17
Alyssa Mastromonaco 2011–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute† 2009–13
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2014–17 Dep. National Security Advisor, Strategic Comm. Ben Rhodes 2009–17
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning Mark B. Childress 2012–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff Mark Lippert 2009
Kristie Canegallo 2014–17 Denis McDonough 2009–10
Counselor to the President Pete Rouse 2011–13 Brooke D. Anderson 2011–12
John Podesta 2014–15 White House Communications Director Ellen Moran 2009
Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod 2009–11 Anita Dunn 2009
David Plouffe 2011–13 Daniel Pfeiffer 2009–13
Daniel Pfeiffer 2013–15 Jennifer Palmieri 2013–15
Shailagh Murray 2015–17 Jen Psaki 2015–17
Senior Advisor to the President Pete Rouse 2009–10 Deputy White House Communications Director Jen Psaki 2009–11
Brian Deese 2015–17 Jennifer Palmieri 2011–14
Senior Advisor to the President and Valerie Jarrett 2009–17 Amy Brundage 2014–16
Assistant to the President for Liz Allen 2016–17
Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 2009–11
Director, Public Engagement Tina Tchen 2009–11 Jay Carney 2011–13
Jon Carson 2011–13 Josh Earnest 2013–17
Paulette L. Aniskoff 2013–17 Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton 2009–11
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz 2009–12 Josh Earnest 2011–13
David Agnew 2012–14 Eric Schultz 2014–17
Jerry Abramson 2014–17 Director of Special Projects Stephanie Cutter 2010–11
Director, National Economic Council Lawrence Summers 2009–10 Director, Speechwriting Jon Favreau 2009–13
Gene Sperling 2011–14 Cody Keenan 2013–17
Jeff Zients 2014–17 Director, Digital Strategy Macon Phillips 2009–13
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer 2009–10 Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman 2015–17
Austan Goolsbee 2010–13 Director, Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro 2009–11
Jason Furman 2013–17 Rob Nabors 2011–13
Chair, Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker 2009–11 Katie Beirne Fallon 2013–16
Chair, Council on Jobs and Competitiveness Jeff Immelt 2011–13 Miguel Rodriguez 2016
Director, Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes 2009–12 Amy Rosenbaum 2016–17
Cecilia Muñoz 2012–17 Director, Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard 2009–11
Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois 2009–13 David Simas 2011–16
Melissa Rogers 2013–17 Director, Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan 2009–13
Director, Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle 2009–11 Johnathan D. McBride 2013–14
Director, Office of National AIDS Policy Jeffrey Crowley 2009–11 Valerie E. Green 2014–15
Grant N. Colfax 2011–13 Rodin A. Mehrbani 2016–17
Douglas M. Brooks 2013–17 White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown 2009–11
Director, Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrión Jr. 2009–10 Rajesh De 2011–12
Racquel S. Russell 2010–14 Douglas Kramer 2012–13
Roy Austin Jr. 2014–17 Joani Walsh 2014–17
Director, Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner 2009–11 Director, Management and Administration Bradley J. Kiley 2009–11
White House Counsel Greg Craig 2009–10 Katy A. Kale 2011–15
Bob Bauer 2010–11 Maju Varghese 2015–17
Kathryn Ruemmler 2011–14 Director, Scheduling and Advance Alyssa Mastromonaco 2009–11
Neil Eggleston 2014–17 Danielle Crutchfield 2011–14
White House Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu 2009–13 Chase Cushman 2014–17
Danielle C. Gray 2013–14 Director, White House Information Technology David Recordon 2015–17
Broderick D. Johnson 2014–17 Director, Office of Administration Cameron Moody 2009–11
Personal Aide to the President Reggie Love 2009–11 Beth Jones 2011–15
Brian Mosteller 2011–12 Cathy Solomon 2015–17
Marvin D. Nicholson 2012–17 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren 2009–17
Director, Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller 2012–17 Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra 2009–12
Personal Secretary to the President Katie Johnson 2009–11 Todd Park 2012–14
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2011–14 Megan Smith 2014–17
Ferial Govashiri 2014–17 Director, Office of Management and Budget Peter R. Orszag 2009–10
Chief of Staff to the First Lady Jackie Norris 2009 Jack Lew 2010–12
Susan Sher 2009–11 Jeff Zients 2012–13
Tina Tchen 2011–17 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013–14
White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers 2009–10 Brian Deese 2014
Julianna Smoot 2010–11 Shaun Donovan 2014–17
Jeremy Bernard 2011–15 Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra 2009–11
Deesha Dyer 2015–17 Steven VanRoekel 2011–14
Chief of Staff to the Vice President Ron Klain 2009–11 Tony Scott 2015–17
Bruce Reed 2011–13 United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk 2009–13
Steve Ricchetti 2013–17 Michael Froman 2013–17
White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon† 2009–11 Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske 2009–14
Angella Reid 2011–17 Michael Botticelli 2014–17
Director, White House Military Office George Mulligan 2009–13 Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley 2009–14
Emmett Beliveau 2013–15 Michael Boots 2014–15
Dabney Kern 2016–17 Christy Goldfuss 2015–17
† Remained from previous administration.
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Position Appointee
Chief of Staff to the Vice President Steve Ricchetti
Counsel to the Vice President Cynthia Hogan
Counselor to the Vice President Mike Donilon
Assistant to the Vice President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison Evan Ryan
Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Communications Shailagh Murray
Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President Shailagh Murray
Deputy National Security Adviser to the Vice President Brian P. McKeon
Residence Manager and Social Secretary for the Vice President and Second Lady Carlos Elizondo
National Security Adviser to the Vice President Colin Kahl
Position Appointee
Chief of Staff to the Second Lady Catherine M. Russell
Director of Administration for the Office of the Vice President Moises Vela
Domestic Policy Adviser to the Vice President Terrell McSweeny
Chief Economist and Economic Policy Adviser to the Vice President Jared Bernstein
Press Secretary to the Vice President Elizabeth Alexander
Deputy Press Secretary to the Vice President Annie Tomasini
Director of Legislative Affairs Sudafi Henry
Director of Communications for the Second Lady Courtney O’Donnell