Obama Taps Rahm Emanuel For Chief Of Staff

After Struggling With Decision, Illinois Congressman Has Accepted Offer From President-Elect

(CBS/ AP)  President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel to be his White House chief of staff.

"I announce this appointment first because the Chief of Staff is central to the ability of a President and Administration to accomplish an agenda," Obama said in a statement. "And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel."

The Illinois congressman accepted the job Thursday after struggling over family and political considerations.

Emanuel serves in the House Democratic leadership and will have to resign his seat and put aside hopes of becoming House speaker.

"I’m leaving a job I love to join your White House for one simple reason - like the record amount of voters who cast their ballot over the last month, I want to do everything I can to help deliver the change America needs," Emanuel said in a statement.

Emanuel is a fiery Democrat who served as a political and policy aide in the Clinton White House. His selection is a shift in tone for Obama, who chose more low-key leadership for his presidential campaign.

House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio called Emanuel "an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center."

Sources tell CBS News that Robert Gibbs has been tapped to be Obama's press secretary. Gibbs has been Obama's longtime spokesman and confidant and was at Obama's side from his 2004 Senate campaign through the long days on the presidential campaign trail.

Before accepting the position, Emanuel appeared conflicted over whether to take on what promises to be a grueling job. Emanuel told Chicago's WLS-TV that he was honored to be considered but needed to weigh the impact on his family. He was a political and policy aide in the Clinton White House.

"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," Emanuel said in an interview aired Wednesday. "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."

Emanuel added: "This is not a professional choice. This is a personal choice about what my wife and I want to do for our family, as much as what to do with my career."

After leaving the Clinton White House, Emanuel turned to investment banking, then won a Chicago-area House seat six years ago. In Congress, he moved quickly into the leadership. As chairman of the Democratic campaign committee in 2006, he played an instrumental role in restoring his party to power after 12 years in the minority.

Emanuel maintained neutrality during the long primary battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, not surprising given his long-standing ties to the former first lady and his Illinois connections with Obama.

Obama has planned his first public appearance since his presidential victory for Friday - a meeting with economic advisers to discuss the nation's financial woes that Americans listed as their top concern on Election Day.

Obama plans to talk to the news media Friday afternoon following the meeting, aides said. He and his wife, Michelle, will visit the White House early next week at President Bush's invitation, aides said.

Obama's schedule Thursday includes meetings with top U.S. intelligence officials preparing him to be commander in chief and transition team leaders tasked with building his entire administration in 10 short weeks.

Obama advisers said he was selecting the leaders of the new government with a sense of care over speed, with no plans to announce Cabinet positions this week.

Obama planned to stay home through the weekend, with a blackout on news announcements so that he and his staff can get some rest after a grueling campaign and the rush of their win Tuesday night. He is planning a trip to Hawaii in December to get away with his family before their move to the White House - and to honor his grandmother, who died Sunday at her home there.

Obama began Thursday as he almost always does, with a workout. Later, he planned to visit with the transition team he officially announced Wednesday but had been under way for weeks. Officials had kept deliberations under wraps to avoid the appearance of overconfidence in the weeks leading to Tuesday's election.

He also planned to head to the FBI office in Chicago, a secure location for him to receive his first president's daily brief. The document is mostly written by the Central Intelligence Agency and includes the most critical overnight intelligence. It is accompanied by a briefing from top intelligence officials that typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour, although Obama's first is expected to be longer.

Mr. Bush said on Thursday that he'll meet with Obama next week as his administration works to achieve a seamless transition of power to the Democrat.

Mr. Bush talked outside the White House as he gathered with a host of Executive Mansion and administration workers to urge cooperation with the Obama team on the transition that will take place over the next 75 days.

Mr. Bush said that "this peaceful transfer of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy." And he warned that the United States would be vigilant against any attempts by enemies to take advantage of the country during its period of transition.

Later, the White House said the meeting between the president and the president-elect will take place on Monday afternoon.

A statement said: "The Bushes will greet the Obamas, and then the President will visit with the President-elect in the Oval Office. Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Obama will meet in and tour the Private Residence. We understand that the Obama children will not be accompanying them on this visit, but we very much look forward to meeting them."

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on Thursday also said he will work closely with Obama to pave the way for a smooth transition as the country battles its worst financial crisis in decades.

Paulson said: "A methodical and orderly transition is in the best interests of the financial markets and Treasury is committed to making sure that the incoming team can hit the ground running in January."

Andrew Card, former chief of staff to President Bush, said he thinks it's good for a president-elect to begin by naming White House staff before cabinet appointments.

"I hope he names his chief of staff very soon," Card said on CBS News' The Early Show. "After, that I hope he'll name a White House counsel and president personnel director. The White House staff can be in place without senate confirmation so important to focus on that."

Card added that President Bush has taken steps to make the transition easier for Obama, such as getting a head start on the process to get security clearance for appointees.

Announcement of the transition team came Wednesday in a written statement from the Obama camp.

The group is headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under President Clinton; Pete Rouse, who has been Obama's chief of staff in the Senate; and Valerie Jarrett, a friend of the president-elect and campaign adviser.

"John Podesta is a seasoned hand," Card said. "He knows Washington and I think it's good he is running the transition for President-elect Obama."

Several Democrats described a sprawling operation well under way. Officials had kept deliberations under wraps to avoid the appearance of overconfidence in the weeks leading to Tuesday's election.

[ken3331]

You voted for higher taxes. You%u2019re going to pay them too%u2026 just like me. You voted for more government and less freedom. You voted for cuts in military spending as we fight 2 wars against a committed enemy. You voted for the same people and policies that have devastated the housing market and our economy. You have given the reins of power to the most under qualified, inexperienced and dubious candidate in our lifetime. This is not debatable. You chose an unknown quantity over a giant who has spent his life in service to America and who in the words of your own standard bearers has the right stuff for the presidency.

All that being said, what is done is done. Enjoy your victory, but as the euphoria fades, remember the ball is now in your court. There will be no George Bush or any republicans to blame now. It%u2019s now time to put up or shut up. I for one will give President elect Obama and this new administration the benefit of the doubt but I and my conservative brethren will be watching closely and if and when things go awry we will know exactly where to lay the blame.



Congratulations. Good luck and God Bless

[butch-40]

Where are all these Fruit Cakes comming from?Get back under your rock,or else they will put a net over you and take you to the Funny Farm,there you can pick your nose Giggle all day.

[lochlan-2009]

The elites are making sure Obama can''t make a single move without one of their spies reporting it back to the olgarchs. Emanuel is this messenger. Obama could end up dead if he doesnt'' play ball with these guys who are keeping one hell of a close eye on him. That''s probably how they got him to appoint Emanuel, a death threat for him and his family some day, by a moron skin head, put in just the right spot, at just the right time, by the oligarchs.

[irmcvet97]

Great pick!!

[rjs1955]

OBAMA IS MABUS, THE ANTI-CHRIST, THE BEAST 666!!!

TheMasses10
-------
Hey TheMasses10,

Why did you put your IQ right after TheMasses in your handle?

[cariboubarbi]

TheMasses10


Ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?

[irmcvet97]

Congratulations. Good luck and God Bless


Posted by Ken3331 at 11:27 AM : Nov 06, 2008


You poor uneducated loser''s seem to be implying that what Obama is proposing and what we''re going back to is some RADICAL move that will take away from our freedom and the such. IT''s a LIE people... After the Great Depression we went to the Progressive Taxing System and it didn''t just work... IT made us the Economic Power of the World... IT helped create the Middle Class and made us the Worlds biggest creditor nation. We TRIED Trickle Down yet again and again it was a complete failure!! So now we go back to what we had...it''s that simple. By the way during the years of the Greatest Generation and the Progressive Tax we saw MORE American''s enjoying the freedom promised by our Constitution than at any point in our history!!

[ozonmojo]

The selection of an abrasive and overly aggressive person like Emanuel to such a crucial post is fatal to Obama''s professed bipartisan agenda.Under Emanuel''s regime the White House will certainly assume the mindset of a besieged fortress.

[rjs1955]

most amazing is that TheMasses10 can type, or read, or even understand the basics of computer use.... Besides, how can you do that from inside a staitjacket....

[horse3farm]

Kudos Ken3331...well said. I agree completely.

[byeneocons]

No, I think the change is that an ignorant, arrogant trustfunder isn''t appointing his frat buddies into important positions.

[perceptions5]

Emanuel is the like poison............

He''s no different than Tom Delay.

Looks like more partisan gridlock for the next four years...........

Seems like nothing CHANGES........ (just a cheap over used word, change)

[byeneocons]

"...Where are all these Fruit Cakes comming from?"

Don''t worry, there are only a few of them left, and they can always watch Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity to get their ''education.''

[credibility2]

So much for the change Obama promised. Obama goes and offers this critical spot to a Chicago pol pal who is also a heavily entrenched Washington insider. No change here.

[gop_will_win]

Oh look, the first member of the Chicago mob to be appointed to a position. I expect to see a Daley appointed soon.

[gop_will_win]

BUSH IS GOD

BUSH IS THE BESTEST PRESIDENT AMERICA EVER HAVE. BUSH IS THE ONLY GOD FOR EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD.

EVERY AMERICAN IS WORSHIPING ONLY BUSH! EACH AND EVERY AMERICAN WANTS SO BADLY BUSH TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA, FOR EVER.

EVERY AMERICAN HAS PICTURE OF BUSH ON THE EVERY WALL OF THEIR HOUSE AND THEIR WALLET, WITH LOVE.

BUS IS THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA FOR EVER FOR EVER.

BUSH IS GOD!!



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Posted by MaharajaG
===========================
Gosh, I have been saying this for years.
http://groups.google.co.id/group/PoliticalForum/browse_thread/thread/d74a37f99787b485

Every Sunday morning I have been celebrating Bush mass for shut ins.

[antoniof123]

The wing nuts are fumming it is too funny. That people is why they lost because their hate comes forth and America is sick of it.

TheMasses10 you need real help I don''t know where you can get that kind of help but perhaps you should check into a mental clinic before you hurt yourself or someone else.

[tyronehogleg]

1.- He will come as a man of Peace.
2.- He will come mounted on a white Female horse(Obama mother is white who had 12 African husbands and lovers)
3.- He will come to deceive( Obama says he''''''''s a Christian but in fact he was born a Muslim, practices the Islamic religion, prays Friday%u2019s facing Mecca)
4.- He will make himself the most powerful man on earth, if elected, Mabus will be his name.
5.- He will try to destroy the Jewish People and Israel( Obama has said he loves Arabs specially Palestinians, hates Israel and Jews. Admires Hitler, Osama etc)
6.- He will present himself as good and righteous but in fact he''''''''s Satan himself. Violence and Murder is in his heart
7.- Obama will help Iran and Al Qaida in their evil projects.
8.- Barack Hussein Obama is the %u201CKing of the South%u201D predicted in the Bible.(Daniel .11, Kenya is south of Jerusalem)
9.- Obama comes to implant muslim Sharia Law upon America.
10.- Obama will enslave American women forever with Sharia Law.
11.-Mabus will finish his term on 2012,predicted to be the end of the world.
12.- Mabus will use Mind Control to obtain control of the ignorant masses.
13.-Mabus has come to destroy the finest country in the world, America.
14.- It''''''''s written and will come to pass, Mabus will try to destroy the world with nuclear weapons but his first attack will be against Israel and the Jewish people.



Yo mama is the beast...LOL at this...assuming your joking...if not, please seek help soon....

[thinkharder-]

He will try to destroy the Jewish People and Israel( Obama has said he loves Arabs specially Palestinians, hates Israel and Jews. Admires Hitler, Osama etc)
Posted by TyroneHogleg at 01:58 PM : Nov 06, 2008

Funny you should say that because that is precisely what most evangelical Christians would like to see happen to the Jews. You see, Christians don''t really care about the Jews. They just need them in place out there in the "holy" land to facilitate the second coming. And what will happen to the Jews at the second coming according to Revelations? That''s right...God kills them all...every last one. So...Christians don''t give a *** about the Jews, they just need them in place so they can be slaughtered by the great sky fairy.

[cuba_is_here]

"""Obama Taps Rahm Emanuel For Chief Of Staff
CBS News Confirms Illinois Congressman Has Accepted Offer From President-Elect"""

The MAFIA from Chicago comes to the White House.

[aj4321-2009]

Posted by TheMasses10 at 01:50 PM : Nov 06, 2008
-----------------

Your assertions are stupid. A few examples:

5.- He will try to destroy the Jewish People and Israel - HE JUST CHOSE A JEW TO BE HIS CHIEF OF STAFF.

8.- Barack Hussein Obama is the %u201CKing of the South%u201D predicted in the Bible.(Daniel .11, Kenya is south of Jerusalem) - AMERICA IS NORTH OF JERUSALEM - OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA, NOT KENYA

[whatithink10]

That''s got to be freakin'' out the Dixicraps: a black and a Jew - both Yankees!!

What next, a Catholic?
A gay person?
A Mexican?


Hold on to your white sheets, Jethro!

[aj4321-2009]

NEPALI, SRILANKAN AND BANGLADESHI PEOPLE, THEREFORE OBAMA IS NOT PRESIDENT
------------------
Really? Three of the poorest countries in the world somehow got sophisticated equipment to hack into the U.S. election system?? Have you eaten your serving of "beef" today???

[joanm1956]

So where is the change in appointing former Clinton Administration employees? I thought Clinton was a great President, but Mr. Obama was supposed to present something different, something new. Well, I am still waiting for the "change".

[whatithink10]

Obama_Dkhed,

As long as he picks the best people, I don''t really care. You guys seem to be the ones nervous with doomsday scenarios.

I''m just upset that the Dixicraps destroyed the GOP.

[whatithink10]

Posted by raflin100 at 02:19 PM : Nov 06, 2008

I agree. Catholics are hated by the Dixicraps. They don''t think it is a real religion.

[whatithink10]

Posted by obiden08 at 02:23 PM : Nov 06, 2008

LOL!

Love it!

[colt8881]

What next, a Catholic?
A gay person?
A Mexican?

Hold on to your white sheets, Jethro!

Posted by whatithink10
==========================
===========================
Actually in 2016 we are planning on putting a Gay,Mexican,Catholic in there just to give y''''all a massive stroke...And you know what we will spend 3 times what was spent on barack just to watch yall lose AGAIN.

Posted by obiden08


Well I am sure they can find a Re-Born Christian, Jewish, Muslum to head UP FEMA !

[whatithink10]

"proves to us real Americans...

Posted by Obama_Dkhed at 02:28 PM : Nov 06, 2008"



That''s why you lost, Nitwit.

WE ARE ALL REAL AMERICANS!!!!

[whatithink10]

obiden08,

Catholics used to have it tough in the South as well. Now, they''ve been a bit ignored in replace of Muslims. But, I know some people who have said that Catholics will not go to Heaven. JFK had a hard time when he ran about his faith. Some people started rumors that the Pope would be running America.

[colt8881]

Hey Obama_Dkhed

How was eating CROW on Wednesday Morning? You will be eating CROW and Hot CARLS for the next 8 years !

[colt8881]

blackhouse80

You are so right. I voted for Obama because McCain was George W. Bush but in a Grandpa McMunster costume and I cant be havin that !

[colt8881]

Hey Obama_Dkhed

How was eating CROW on Wednesday Morning? You will be eating CROW and LOTS and LOTS of Hot CARLS for the next 8 years !

[summarex]

First he picks Axelrod to his staff and now Emanuel
I wonder if he''ll pick any non-Jews.

[hatesthecolt]

In the spirit of reaching across the aisle, we owe it to the Democrats to show their president the exact same kind of respect and loyalty that they have shown our recent Republican president."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by libsh8theUSA

Now there''s a mature point of view. You sound like a third grader.. he did it to me so it''s okay if I do it to him. If *** Cheney jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too? (I guess we could only hope).

[mugaluv]

This comment board is full of losers -- Republican losers! LAY (laughing at you) you hate mongers. Watch out, you are going to use all that hate on one term; what will you do for the second term? LOL

[alien_view]

I want to recall my vote for Obama!!!! Why?
1. Now he wants to move what little I have in my 401k in with Social Security, so the government can steal the money.
2. He wants to shut down the American Coal industry. How is our Steel industry supposed to produce steel for cars, ships etc. or we going to import it from China? This will cause massive layoffs to all of the related industries, including the Automobile Industry.
3. His spokesperson says he still plans on increasing the tax on corporations. Most coperations incoorporate in Deleware to help defer taxes and save jobs. Now that is out the window and how many of our jobs are going to be sacraficed to pay for the new taxes. Our customers are not going to pay for our increased prices due to taxes, so our business goes down the drain along with all the jobs.
4. His folks also want to have absolute control over the FCC so they can control all of the media and what we are allowed to hear. He is trying to appoint one of his cronies to do just that, these are facts.

More and more is now coming out of his staff about what Obama plans on doing. This is only a part of what his staff is in the process of putting in place. They are using the Slow Frog Boil technique. Very slow boil, so we won''t know we are being cooked until it is too late.

GOD help us for making the wrong decision to vote for this man.

[credibility2]

Obama will govern through patronage and cronyism, the Chicago way. Obama is president-elect less than two days and many of his voters are already disenchanted. This is what comes of voting for some based on reasons of superficiality and hype. You get what you deserve. Unfortunately, we''re all going to suffer. Change you can believe in, sure! More like no change and more of the same from the Washington pols.

[hatesthecolt]

Obama is president-elect less than two days and many of his voters are already disenchanted.
Credibility

I don''t understand why you think anyone wants to see you mkae *** up out of your @ss. Most of his voters are excited, many are ecstatic. This is exciting times.

[hatesthecolt]

www.obamacrimes.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by McLefty_byby


Where were you when Bush, Cheney and sons were defiling the constitution?? NOW you''re interested in integrity???

[pony1225]

IMPEACH OBAMA!!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!!
PRO-LIFE!!

[colt8881]

Well the GOP is Starting to Regroup.

Election 2012

Mister Hankey as President

Sarah Palin as V.P.

[colt8881]

pony1225

I guess the CROW you ate on Tuesday Night and Wesdnesday Morning did not taste very good. Well pony1225 you might want to try some HOT CARLS for the next 8 years I am sure you will love them.

Get over it pony1225.

[colt8881]

obiden08

As VP

A Reborn Christian, Jewish, Muslim.

[hatesthecolt]

IMPEACH OBAMA!!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!!
PRO-LIFE!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by pony1225

Uh oh... school''s out. There goes the neighborhood.

[easeup-2009]

A Jewish Chief of Staff? I''m sure he will be very effective in helping Obama deal with Iran!

[colt8881]

pony1225

I guess the CROW you ate on Tuesday Night and Wesdnesday Morning did not taste very good. Well pony1225 you might want to try some HOT CARLS for the next 8 years I am sure you will love them.

Get over it pony1225.

[hatesthecolt]

Really? Don''''t you want to wait until he starts a war based on phony evidence or something?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ghostfighter

LMAO!

[colt8881]

Mister Hankey as President

Sarah Palin as V.P.

Posted by Colt8881

Mister Hankey would NEVER allow Palin. She''''s a drag on the ticket.

Posted by ghostfighter


OMG funny as hell !

[omded]

America Be Careful!
Yes, we did defeat the greater evil on Tuesday, however, there''s no gaurantee Obama''s going to be all that good either. Rahm Emanuel was instrumental in getting NAFTA through Congress during the Clinton years, so that''s not all that good a sign here. He also is known as the Democratic equivalent of Tom Delay. He''s been one of the people keeping the Democrats voting along party lines, and he''s been a very dominating figure in Congress on the Democratic side. What we need is Representatives and Senators who truly represent their state and country - people who may commonly agree with their party''s position, but who are ALWAYS free and independent, and will ultimately vote as THEY see fit - not their political party. This is why I don''t really like either party, and would prefer to see a completely party free government. I think the best way to sum up this selection is that Obama is now showing signs of developing the same exact situation for the Democrats that existed for the Republicans over much of the last 8 years. This may not be a good start for Obama. We''ll have to wait and see.