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Obama names longtime friend Jarrett as senior adviser

COMBINED NEWS SERVICES

November 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama is naming his longtime friend and supporter Valerie Jarrett to be his White House senior adviser.

Amid a swirl of speculation about his pick for secretary of state, Obama announced Friday he would meet privately Monday in Chicago with John McCain, his general election challenger and a Republican senator from Arizona, to discuss areas of common ground. Advisers to both of the general election rivals told The Associated Press they don't expect Obama to consider McCain for an administration job.

With an official announcement due Saturday, Jarrett is poised to play a crucial role in the White House as a public liaison and senior aide to the president in charge of intergovernmental relations.

President George W. Bush's top political aide Karl Rove held the title in the current administration. Jarrett has a background in real estate and politics in Chicago.

As a trusted Obama family friend and confidante, Jarrett is seen by many Democrats as more valuable closer in. Already, she is serving as co-chairwoman of the president-elect's transition panel.

Her relationship with the Obamas goes back to the day in 1991 when Michelle, then a young lawyer, came into her office for a job interview. Jarrett was deputy chief of staff to Mayor Richard Daley at the time and ended up hiring Michelle - but only after a joint interview with Michelle and her boyfriend at the time, Barack Obama. The three have been fast friends ever since.

Meanwhile, two Obama surrogates - former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Republican Rep. Jim Leach - are meeting this weekend with officials from at least 15 major world powers in Washington for a global economic summit hosted by President Bush.

THE CONTENDERS

Others mentioned for major posts in Barack Obama's administration

TREASURY SECRETARY. Former Federal Reserve chairman Paul

Volcker and former Treasury

Secretary Lawrence Summers

DEFENSE SECRETARY. Defense Secretary and former CIA Director Robert Gates

ATTORNEY GENERAL. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius