Biden picks key staff for vice president's office

[Ron Burgundy]

WASHINGTON – Vice President-elect Joe Biden said Sunday he had chosen a close adviser of more than 25 years as his counselor and had picked two other longtime political advisers for key posts in his office.

Michael C. Donilon, who was part of Biden's debate preparation team and served as his traveling adviser during the general-election campaign, was named counselor to the vice president. Donilon has worked as a strategist on numerous political campaigns, including Douglas Wilder's successful campaign for Virginia governor in 1989 and Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992.

Terrell P. McSweeny will serve as domestic policy adviser to the vice president, according to a statement from Biden's office. She worked as Biden's deputy chief of staff and policy director in the Senate, where she managed domestic and economic policy development and legislative initiatives, and as his issues director during the general-election campaign. She has advised three presidential candidates, including Wesley Clark and Al Gore.

Evan M. Ryan will be assistant to the vice president for intergovernmental affairs and public liaison, according to the statement. She was an adviser to Biden during the general-election campaign and served as his deputy campaign manager during the primary. Ryan worked on the White House staff from 1994 to 2000, as special assistant to first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief of staff, then as deputy director of scheduling.

Ryan later worked with international agencies, including the Clinton Global Initiative in New York and PeacePlayers International, a conflict-management organization. She is also a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

source: AP - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081201/ap_on_go_ot/biden_staff [link]