Reports: Emanuel accepts Chief of Staff job RAW STORY

Published: Wednesday November 5, 2008





Print This Email This Rep. Rahm Emanuel will be chief of staff in President-elect Barack Obama's White House, Politico reports.



The Associated Press, ABC News, CNN and others confirmed the report.



The Illinois lawmaker, and notoriously hard-edged political operator is said to have accepted an offer from Obama, becoming the most-high profile appointee of the next president's administration so far. Politico's report was based on anonymous Democratic officials.



As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Emanuel engineered the party's takeover of Congress in 2006 and rose to a position in the House leadership. A former aide to President Clinton, Emanuel also engineered passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.



Emanuel was weighing his commitment to his family against his commitment to public service in considering a position as Senator Obama's future chief of staff, he told ABC News on Wednesday. The 48-year-old White House veteran, previously a senior advisor in the Clinton administration, was offered the position hours after Obama became President-elect on Tuesday.



"I have obviously two great opportunities, as you know, before me," he said. "I have to make a decision about my family. Ive been in the White House. I used to joke in the White House that on Fridays, I would say: its two more workdays till Monday. When I was in the White House, I didnt have children. I do know something about the White House, and I do have children now. I have a family."



"I got a lot to weigh: my commitment to my country, my commitment to public service and why I got into this, as well as what I want to do as a parent," he added. "I'm honored. And I appreciate this. I have a lot to weigh: the basis of public service, which Ive given my life to, a career choice. And most importantly, what I want to do as a parent. And I know something about the White House. That I assume is one of the reasons that President-elect Obama would like me to serve. But I also know something about what it means to a family."



"Just so you know," Emanuel said, "when I chose to run for Congress, I took months to think about it. This is being asked in a few days."



Rep. Emanuel retained his seat in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He represents Illinois' fifth district.



