Podesta tops Clinton’s chief of staff shortlist: report

John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign chairman, is the top choice to be her White House chief of staff should she win the election, according to a new report.

Podesta leads five other candidates for the crucial role but remains hesitant about the prospect, Politico reported Thursday.

{mosads}“He makes the most sense, but he has made clear he does not want the job,” a close Podesta ally told Politico.

“The question is, can she convince him to do it for a year?” a close Clinton confidant said. “He could get the administration stabilized, and get hiring done.”

That person noted that Podesta “can already shorthand with” the Democratic presidential nominee.

The role is critical; the chief of staff manages the president’s tone with Congress and runs daily White House operations, making the pick one of the most serious personnel decisions faced by a president-elect.

The position also requires more face time with the president than any other role.

But the 67-year-old Podesta has told friends he is not interested in returning to the same position he held during President Bill Clinton’s two terms in office, Politico reported. And he told the outlet last summer that Hillary Clinton “might not have a choice” — even if she wants him to fill the same role he performed for her husband.

Hundreds of Podesta’s private emails have been released by WikiLeaks after being stolen, causing a steady stream of embarrassing headlines for him and the campaign. 

Politico added that the Democratic nominee’s shortlist contains five other contenders. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is one, according to more than half a dozen Clinton insiders Politico interviewed.

Ron Klain is another serious candidate, Politico said, having served as chief of staff for Vice Presidents Biden and Gore.

Longtime policy adviser Jake Sullivan also ranks high on the list, due to his closeness with the nominee. 

Veteran Clinton allies Cheryl Mills and Neera Tanden round out the list, Politico added, but are less likely to be picked.

Clinton’s campaign is mulling the makeup of her potential administration less than two weeks from Election Day.

Clinton leads Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by about 5 points nationwide in the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.