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Obama, Barack - President
Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the announcement of one of the worst kept secrets in Washington. (Laughter.) |
| 00:01:1628 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
As President, I rely on an extraordinary team of men and women here at the White House every single day. And I rely on my Chief of Staff to keep up... |
| 00:01:4416 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
As I said earlier this month, I could not be more grateful to Jack Lew for his amazing service, first as our OMB Director, then at the State Department,... |
| 00:02:0046 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
As he prepares for his confirmation hearings and the challenge of leading our Treasury Department, I am pleased to announce my next Chief of Staff,... |
| 00:02:4650 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I have been counting on Denis for nearly a decade -- since I first came to Washington, when he helped set up my Senate office. Along with Pete Rouse,... |
| 00:03:3640 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
He has been an indispensable member of my national security team as well. Denis has played a key role in every major national security decision of... |
| 00:04:1633 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
And part of the reason you saw such warmth of applause is that, in addition to being an incredible talent and such a hard worker, Denis is also a pretty... |
| 00:04:4919 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
As a veteran of Capitol Hill, where he was mentored by the likes of Lee Hamilton and Tom Daschle, Denis understands the importance of reaching across... |
| 00:05:0838 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Denis is respected by leaders across our government. Add it all up, and I think he’s spent most of the past four years leading interagency meetings... |
| 00:05:4623 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Time and again, I’ve relied on Denis to help in our outreach to the American people as well, including immigrant and minority communities and faith... |
| 00:06:0939 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Denis insists on knowing, for himself, the real-world impact of the decisions that we make. So, away from the cameras, without a lot of fanfare, he’s... |
| 00:06:4850 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Now, don’t get me wrong, Denis can be tough. It probably comes from being one of 11 children -- you've got to be tough. (Laughter.) Two of his... |
| 00:07:3831 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
There’s another reason we all love Denis so much, and that’s his decency; his respect for those around him. Ask any of the staff who are here today... |
| 00:08:091 min. |
Obama, Barack - President
And this, of course, is reflected in his incredible love for his own family. Kari, Addie, Liam, Teddy -- I know that Dad has been at work a lot during... |
| 00:09:1129 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Denis, you’re not just one of my closest friends, but you’re also one of my closest advisors, and like everybody here I cannot imagine the White... |
| 00:09:4040 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
So for me, for Michelle, for all your friends and colleagues who are here today, thank you for taking this assignment. Congratulations. (Applause.) |
| 00:10:2037 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
I just have one other thing to add. We made a number of personnel announcements today. There is going to be an incredible team that Denis will help... |
| 00:10:571 min. |
Obama, Barack - President
But as many of you know, David has been with me from the very start of this enterprise running for President. I can’t tell you how lucky I have been... |
| 00:12:0735 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
So I thought it was worthwhile for us just to say -- even if he doesn’t want us to say it -- thank you to David Plouffe. (Applause.) |
| 00:12:4214 sec. |
Obama, Barack - President
Thank you, everybody. |