Here’s what people are saying about Rouse in the news:
“Pete’s strategic sense has played a big part in the direction of virtually every big decision that’s made inside of this White House. The type of trust that the president and others throughout this administration have in Pete is enormous.”
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (Associated Press, “Rouse, Insider’s Insider, To Replace Emanuel,” Sept. 30)
“He’s got a network that will serve him well as his eyes and ears. … I think this will be an ever-expanding circle of influence and responsibility.”
Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, for whom Rouse served as a chief of
staff (New York Times, “Filling an Aide’s Shoes With Very Different Feet,” Sept. 30)
“The president trusts Pete as much as anyone in the White House.”
Dan Pfeiffer, former Daschle aide, now Obama’s communications director (NYT, above)
“Pete was always as good as his word.”
Dave Hoppe, former chief of staff to then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott
(USA Today, “Obama staffer Pete Rouse hailed as ‘ultimate pragmatist,’” Oct. 4)
“People will find that if you try to build a coalition against Pete, it’s not likely to be successful.”
Mark Patterson, chief of staff at the Treasury Department (USA Today, above)
“One of the smartest things he [Obama] did after being elected to the Senate was choosing Pete as chief of staff. … That indicated to people on the Hill that he was serious.”
Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
(Los Angeles Times, “Low-profile Obama aide gets top spot,” Oct. 2)
“He has no interest in personal publicity whatsoever.”
Sen. Richard Durbin, for whom Rouse served as chief of staff (Los Angeles Times, above)
