Chief of Staff Is a Hard Job, Rahm Says

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Rahm Emanuel knows why.

"Chief of Staff to the President of the United States is one of the toughest jobs in the country and Bill Daley served President Obama loyally and effectively," Emanuel said in a statement following the announcment that Daley would leave his post.

"Most importantly, he had the President’s back, everyday. That is what you want from a White House Chief of Staff. Now, Bill can leave with his head held high and a job well done."

Daley's departure interrupted buzz that was building for a new book by New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor, The Obamas, that detailed the first couple's relationship in the White House and also spends considerible time on Emanuel's behavior and relationship within the West Wing. It's safe to say he knows a thing or two about how difficult the job can be.

But if history is any guide, quitting the job leads to laudatory speeches. Obama sent both Daley and Emanuel back to Chicago with huge pats on the back.

President Obama called Daley "an outstanding chief of staff during one of the busiest and most consequential years"

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The laudetts didn't stop there.

Illinois Senator Mark Kirk he'll miss Daley's pragmatism.

"Bill Daley is a good friend and consummate professional," he said. "I am sorry to see him leave the White House. He was one of the only White House staffers who had strong private sector experience."

Daley's brother, Richard, the former Chicago mayor, congratulated him on his service.

"I'm very proud of my brother's ongoing commitment to public service and to the people of this great country," said former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. "It is an honor for him to have been asked by the President to serve in his administration, and Bill remains grateful for the opportunity."

Republican leadership, however, didn't have the same warm fuzzy feelings.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, took the opportunity to ding the administration.

Supposedly hired to bridge the divide between President Obama and America’s job creators, Bill Daley found himself trying to defend the indefensible in Obama’s failed economic policies," Preibus wrote. "The fact is even Obama’s point man to the business community knew his policies were too wrought with liberal activism and stifling regulation to create jobs. While President Obama and his staff points fingers, the truth is Obama has no one but himself to blame for his failure to turn the economy around. If nothing else, today’s White House shake-up makes it even more clear every decision is being made through the lens of reelection.”