President Obama's new White House chief of staff -- or, more precisely, his corporate ties -- are drawing some catcalls from members of his liberal political base.

Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, said the selection of the former JP Morgan and Chase executive Bill Daley "is exactly the wrong direction" for an administration that wants to create jobs.

"Why in the world is President Barack Obama selecting as his chief of staff a person who comes from the very Wall Street that wrecked the economy and who is an ardent supporter of the job-offshoring, NAFTA-style trade agreements that have hollowed out the industrial heartland?" Weissman said.

Justin Ruben, executive director of MoveOn.org, said that "with Wall Street reporting record profits while middle class Americans continue to struggle in a deep recession," Daley's appointment "sends the wrong message."

Meanwhile the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas J. Donohue, praised Daley as "a strong appointment."

"Bill Daley is a man of stature and extraordinary experience in government, business, trade negotiations, and global affairs," Donohue said. "He's an accomplished manager and strong leader. We look forward to working with him to accelerate our recovery, grow the economy, create jobs, and tackle America's global challenges."

Of course, praise from the Chamber of Commerce isn't likely to win plaudits from supporters to Obama's political left.

In introducing Daley, Obama cited his business background as an asset, part of the "breadth of experience" he brings to the job.

Daley "served as a member of President Clinton's Cabinet as Commerce Secretary," Obama said. "He took on several other important duties over the years on behalf of our country. He's led major corporations. He possesses a deep understanding of how jobs are created and how to grow our economy."

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued a tepid statement that did not mention Daley by name, only that "the president is of course entitled to choose a chief of staff in whom he has complete confidence."

"President Obama and his Administration will ultimately be judged by results," Trumka said, "whether the economy recovers robustly and begins to generate good jobs on the scale needed to improve the lives of working people."

(Posted by David Jackson)