Haitian Beatz

It's official: Patrick Gaspard, former political chief of 1199/SEIU, is moving from the White House to the Democratic National Committee.

patrick gaspard.jpgGaspard became the political director for President Obama's campaign in mid-2008 and moved on to the White House after Obama's victory while still maintaining his influence in Empire State politics (including conveying to former Gov. David Paterson that the president preferred that he get out of last year's election).

Now, in a Washington switcheroo, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine has announced that the committee's executive director, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, will join President Obama’s reelection campaign and Gaspard will replace her.

"White House Political Director Patrick Gaspard will be a welcome addition when he moves over to the DNC team," Kaine said. "He brings to the job an unparalleled passion for the President, the Democratic Party and the type of civic engagement and grassroots organizing that fueled President Obama’s victory in 2008 and that has been so important to the success of our party."

According to POLITICO's Thrush and Smith, Gaspard’s staff — "a half dozen or so regional deputies and operatives" — are expected to head to the DNC with him.

Rumors have been swirling for months that Gaspard was destined for a move: As the Daily News reported in October, eyes were on Gaspard for a change in jobs if the Democrats did poorly in the