Pete Rouse

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Pete Rouse (b. 1946) is chief of staff for Senator Barack Obama. Rouse had filled a similar role for South Dakota Senator Thomas A. Daschle, the former majority leader. Reportedly, after losing re-election, Daschle had hoped that Rouse would continue to work with him. Instead, Rouse was contacted by a Harvard Law School friend of Obama's and chose to work for Obama in 2004 (Bacon 2007).

Rouse helped prepare a memo, "The Strategic Plan," for Obama's first year in the Senate.[1] Helping Obama navigate Senate politics and yet remain an outsider, Rouse advised Obama against criticizing Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) while voting against ethics reform legislation. (Obama worked with Senator Russell Feingold on strengthening amendments). [2] Similarly, he suggested that Obama speak with Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Joseph I. Lieberman in the early stages of exploring his presidential candidacy. Rouse also is credited with persuading Obama to vote against the nomination of John G. Roberts, Jr., who is now Chief Justice of the United States (Bacon 2007).

Overall, Rouse has worked on Capitol Hill for more than 30 years, since 1971. According to Amy Sullivan (Washington Monthly), Rouse came to be known as "the 101st Senator" thanks to his knowledge and skills. Rouse has spoken against the partisanship in Washington politics: "We’ve got to try harder to find principled compromises... We have to change our politics." (Basnight 2007).

As with all congressional staff, Rouse's compensation is public information. He has received salary payments above $140,000 during his years with Senator Obama.[3]

On October 15, 2001, Rouse was the Daschle staffperson to call the police about a letter that tested positive for anthrax powder (Boyer 2001) Twenty of Daschle's staff subsequently tested positive for exposure to anthrax spores; it is not known if Rouse was exposed along with his workmates.[4]

Rouse had worked since 1985 for Daschle, whom he met as a fellow legislative assistant for Senator James Abourezk (D-S.D.).[5]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Bacon 2007
  2. ^ David D. Kirkpatrick. "Senate Passes Vast Ethics Overhaul" New York Times, Jan. 19, 2007 [1]).
  3. ^ Legistorm data.
  4. ^ Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "Over 20 Senate leader staffers test positive for anthrax." October 17, 2001
  5. ^ Preston, Roll Call July 28, 2004 as reported in The Frontrunner July 28, 2004 "SD: Top Aide Oversees All Aspects Of Daschle Operation"

[edit] Notes

  • Bacon, Perry Jr. "The Outsider's Insider: After three decades in Washington, Pete Rouse is a voice of experience for Sen. Barack Obama." in The Washington Post, August 27, 2007
  • Basnight, Elisa. "Pete Rouse: A Career on the Hill." Harvard Kennedy School, 26 Jun 2007. [2]
  • Boyer, Dave. "Daschle office receives anthrax: Aide opens letter; powder positive." The Washington Times, October 16, 2001.
  • Lannan, Maura Kelly. "Obama gets committee assignments, hires Daschle aide." Associated Press, December 6, 2004
  • Sullivan, Amy. "Off to a Good Start...." in Washington Monthly December 7, 2004.[3]