David Simas, Obama Polling Coordinator, Takes White House Job

Obama Taps Campaign Pollster For White House

The Obama administration is bringing campaign polling coordinator David Simas into the White House, part of a wave of staffing decisions announced Friday.

The pollster, David Simas, served as Director of Opinion Research for Obama's re-election, running the campaign's extensive focus group and polling operation, which aides later revealed was generations ahead of what Mitt Romney's campaign was capable of. According to a White House official, his new title will be Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Advisor for Communications and Strategy.

White Houses have traditionally worked closely with pollsters, but typically pay for polling through party committees.

Earlier this month, Simas ruled out speculation that he might run for office in his native Massachusetts, where he was active in city politics, worked for Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and apparently kept a working phone bank in his basement, according to The Boston Globe.

"I am committed to being [in Washington] for the next couple of years," Simas told the Globe. "I am here, physically and mentally."

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