Obama names more White House staff

Source: Xinhua | 12-06-2008 08:22

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has nominated more White House staff, including his chief economic policy adviser, his transition office said on Friday.

Jared Bernstein, a senior economist at the liberal Economic Policy Institute, was named as Obama's chief economic policy adviser, a newly-created post, as the country is facing the worst economic crisis since 1930s.

In a statement issued by Obama's team, Bernstein was described as a "proven, passionate advocate for raising the incomes of middle-class families."

"His expertise and background in a wide range of domestic and international economic policies will be an invaluable asset to the Obama-Biden administration," it said.

The deputy chief economist under Labor Secretary Robert Reich during the Clinton administration has played a role as economic adviser in Obama's campaign.

Obama also announced on Friday to picked Christina M. Tchen, a business lawyer based in Chicago, to be the White House director of public liaison, and his long-term assistant, Michael Strautmanis, as the chief of staff to the White House director for intergovernmental relations and public liaison.

Earlier the month, Obama has rolled out his economic and national security teams that will taking office with him on Jan. 20.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei