Biden’s chief of staff is leaving the White House

It's not just President Obama who is looking for a new chief of staff. Vice President Biden announced this morning that Ron Klain, his chief of staff and longtime adviser, will leave the White House by the end of the month.

Klain, a well-known Democratic strategist, had also held the same job for former Vice President Al Gore. A close adviser to Obama, he had been recently mentioned as a possible replacement for Rahm Emanuel, who quit as the president's chief of staff in October.

According to the White House, Klain is leaving to become president of Case Holdings, an investment firm founded by former AOL chief Steve Case.

In a statement, Biden praised his outgoing staffer for an "exceptional job" and for providing "invaluable counsel" over the last two years.

"He has also played a key role in establishing the strong, positive relationship that exists between my staff and the president's team," Biden said. "I am proud of the successes we have had over these two years, and am grateful for the role Ron played in achieving them."

(Photo of Klain, center, and Obama by Pete Souza/White House)