Report: Obama May Appoint William Daley to Top Post in White House Shake-Up

Once again, Chicago's politically influential Daley family may soon be spreading its political influence to Washington. President Barack Obama is reportedly mulling over appointing William Daley, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. executive, former U.S. Commerce Secretary and younger brother of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, to a senior White House staff position, possibly even as his chief of staff, Bloomberg reports.

According to unnamed sources, the decision to recruit from within Obama's own Chicago political sphere is not confirmed, but it is a move that would bring a political and business veteran into the administration as he enters the second half of his term. In addition, Bloomberg notes that Daley could be a pivotal figure in helping President Obama navigate through potential political stand-offs with the Republican majority-led House of Representatives this year.

Adding to the speculation, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs has declined to comment on "personnel speculation."

In addition to continuing his search for a permanent replacement for former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, the president will also be looking for a new head of the National Economic Council to replace outgoing Lawrence Summers. On the short-list for that position is Gene Sperling, a counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who doesn't have strong ties to the business community.

Yale University President Richard Levin and Roger Altman, the founder of Evercore Partners Inc., are also reportedly under consideration for that Summers' post as well.

But these senior level positions may not be the only ones to go through a post-midterm shakeup.  Senior advisor David Axelrod is expected to leave the administration after Obama's upcoming State of the Union speech and former campaign manager David Plouffe is expected to be added to the team.