Ron Klain, former chief of staff to vice presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore, was tapped as the Obama administration's "Ebola czar," two administration officials said Friday.
According to USA Today, Klain is a veteran Democratic insider with contacts throughout the government, and will act as the figurehead of the government's Ebola response — a singular position President Barack Obama seemed reluctant to make until a second Dallas nurse was diagnosed with the virus this week.
On Thursday, the president tipped his hand when he was asked by reporters about an Ebola czar.
"It may make sense for us to have one person, in part just so that after this initial surge of activity we can have a more regular process just to make sure that we're crossing all the T's and dotting all the I's going forward," he said.
Klain, 53, will report directly to Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco and National Security Advisor Suzanne Rice. Currently, Klain is the president of Case Holdings and general counsel at Revolution LLC, a venture capital outfit. The chairman of Revolution LLC, Steve Case, the cofounder of America Online, released a statement congratulating Klain on his new role.
"Ron is a talented manager and a wise counselor who understands government, business, and the non-profit sectors. We wish him the best as he takes on this important task, and we look forward to welcoming him back soon," he said.
"I’ve known Ron Klain for over 20 years," said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, the
New York Daily News reported. "He is smart, aggressive, and levelheaded; exactly the qualities we need in a czar to steer our response to Ebola. He is an excellent choice."
In addition to his chief of staff roles, Klain helped prepare Obama for his 2012 debates against Mitt Romney, and also helped with Gore's campaign in 2000. Actor Kevin Spacey portrayed Klain in an HBO movie on the 2000 Florida recount.