Obama adds staff to growing White House team

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama added three officials to his White House team on Sunday, making his top aide from the Senate a senior adviser and naming two deputies to chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

Obama's transition office said in a statement that Pete Rouse, who led Obama's staff as an Illinois senator, would join the White House as a senior adviser.

Rouse worked for former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle for 19 years. Daschle, a former South Dakota senator, advised Obama during his presidential campaign and is thought to be in contention for a top post in the new administration.

Obama's office also said Mona Sutphen, a longtime foreign service officer who worked in President Bill Clinton's White House on the National Security Council, and Jim Messina, a former top aide to two U.S. senators, would both serve as deputy chief of staff.

"These individuals are important additions to a team with the experience and ability to help our nation overcome pressing challenges at home and around the world," Obama said in the statement.

The Democrat president-elect has been assembling his White House team and studying appointments to his cabinet since beating Republican rival John McCain in the November 4 election. Obama takes office on January 20.

McCain, an Arizona senator, will visit Obama in Chicago on Monday to discuss ways the two men can work together.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Anthony Boadle)