Staff changes not needed at White House, says spokeswoman

Replacing key staff in the aftermath of Tuesday’s blowout elections would only bring “cosmetic changes” to the White House, communications director Jennifer Palmieri said in an interview airing Thursday.

“Our view is that cosmetic changes or changes for changes’ sake probably aren’t going to accomplish a lot,” Palmieri said in an interview with MSNBC.

{mosads}Pressed on whether new blood would provide the White House with fresh ideas, Palmieri dismissed the notion, saying the administration frequently seeks outside counsel on key issues.

“The president and the White House staff actually reach out to different voices more than people would expect, and we actually do do a lot of that,” she said.

Instead, Palmieri said Obama would seek to answer “the concerns that voters raised on Election Day” by refocusing on his economic agenda.

“He’s got to reach out to Republicans,” she continued. “We’re starting that first meeting tomorrow. Sen. McConnell’s [R-Ky.] a very able legislator, and if Republicans are wanting to work with us, there’s a lot that we can get done.”

During a post-election press conference on Wednesday, President Obama said talk of personnel changes was “premature.”

Ironically, Palmieri, who served all eight years in the Clinton White House, is considered among the White House officials who might be eyeing the exits to join up with former secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s expected presidential campaign.

Other potential departures would include those of presidential counselor and former Clinton chief of staff John Podesta, who has said he is leaving by the end of the year and has reportedly begun consulting for Clinton, and Dan Pfeiffer, the president’s longtime aide and senior adviser.