Rahm Emanuel, after much speculation yesterday, has indeed been tapped to rise to the position of Chief of Staff. Emanuel, the fourth highest ranking member of the House of Representatives, accepted the position earlier today. The Congressman from Illinois was a former member of the Clinton administration, and brings Washington D.C. political experience to an administration that may be lacking in that arena.
- “Democratic officials who disclosed Obama’s acceptance did so on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering Obama’s team; it had not planned to announce the chief of staff position on Thursday. In offering the White House post to Emanuel, Obama turned to a fellow Chicago politician with a far different style from his own, a man known for his bluntness as well as his single-minded determination.” – from Rahm Emanuel: Obama’s Chief Of Staff, at Huffington Post
- “Rahm Emanuel, who received training in ballet as a boy, has shown no lightness of step in his political career: would-be enemies are advised to heed the story of a pollster who wronged him and promptly received a large, decomposing fish in the post. Reflecting on his own foul-mouthed, attack-dog style, Mr Emanuel has said: “I wake up some mornings hating me too.” Commentators have suggested that Mr Obama, who ran a lofty campaign based on national unity and bipartisanship, has recognised the need to employ a tough enforcer to push through his policy programme.” – from OBAMA NAMES ‘RAHMBO’ EMANUEL WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF, at San Francisco Sentinel
- “According to reports from the Associated Press, Rep. Rahm Emanuel from Chicago has agreed to become President-Elect Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel, who just was re-elected to Congress less than 48 hours ago and previously worked as an advisor to President Bill Clinton, would have to give up his seat to a special election and his powerful position as running the political show for House Democrats.” – from Rahm Emanuel Agrees to White House Chief of Staff for Barack Obama, at OpenlineBlog.com
- “Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat from Chicago’s North Side, has agreed to be Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff, a Democratic source confirmed this afternoon. A formal announcement is expected Friday. Emanuel wrestled with the choice, sources say, but will return to the White House after previously serving there in the Clinton administration.” – from Rahm Emanuel accepts Obama job, at The Swamp
- “Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) had high praise Thursday for Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s (D-Ill.) selection as White House chief of staff to President-elect Barack Obama. Dodd said during a news conference that Emanuel was “a great choice” and that he has known the Illinois congressman for many years.” – from Dodd: Emanuel’s A ‘Great Choice’, at The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room
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