Biden appoints Klain as his Chief of Staff

Washington, Nov 14 : Ronald A. Klain, former Chief of Staff and counselor to Vice President Al Gore, has accepted an offer to be the Chief of Staff to Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Democratic officials have said.

The position will put Klain, a seasoned political hand, at the heart of West Wing activity, Politico reported.

Biden, who has kept a low profile since Election Day, will head to the vice president's official residence at the Naval Observatory at 5:15 p.m. Thursday for a private meeting with Vice President Cheney.

Biden and his wife, Jill, will also receive a tour of the residence from Cheney and his wife, Lynne.

The appointment enhances the continuity between the two Democratic administrations. Veterans of the Clinton-Gore White House have been given top jobs in the Obama-Biden transition, Politico said.

Biden decided some time ago to offer Klain the job, but Klain's friends weren't sure he would take it. But he accepted the offer Wednesday afternoon, the officials said.

Klain was part of Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign policy and debate preparation staff, was Gore's chief of staff during the 1996 re-election; and led debate preparation for Senator John F. Kerry's 2004 presidential bid.

Kevin Spacey played Klain, a key member of the Gore-Lieberman legal team during the recount fight of 2000, in the HBO movie "Recount."

ANI