Kaine to head Democrats
Barack Obama named Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to head the Democratic National Committee, succeeding Howard Dean. Kaine will initially work part time as chairman, until his gubernatorial term ends, in 2010. Kaine, 50, is a rising Democratic star who was considered a possible Obama running mate. As party chief, Kaine will focus on preparing for the 2010 midterm elections, publicizing the Obama administration’s themes, and raising money.
Article continues belowThe Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Filling a newly created post, Barack Obama named Nancy Killefer as the administration’s chief “performance officer,” responsible for budget reform and improving government efficiency. Head of McKinsey & Co.’s public policy practice, Killefer served as the Treasury Department’s chief administrative officer from 1997 to 2000. Obama cited her expertise in “streamlining processes and wringing out inefficiencies.”