Emanuel Accepts Chief of Staff position

George Wenschhof

Politico.com is reporting that Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) will be announced tomorrow by President-elect Barack Obama, as his Chief-of-Staff. Rumors have been flying for two days that the position had been offered but not accepted.

Emanuel surely was evaluating his options if he continued as a Representative from Illinois. It is doubtful he would have replaced Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) anytime soon. Emanuel chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) which helped bring the Democrats gains in the 2006 election.

However, he did clash with Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Howard Dean's 50 state strategy as he was accustomed to the previous approach of targeting states and races. Howard Dean's 50 state strategy of Democrats competing in all states helped pave the way to Obama's victory. Emanuel is also known as a centrist which should bode well for Obama, although the far left wing of the Democratic Party will not be thrilled.

Politico.com is also reporting one of the Deputy Chief of Staff positions will be filled by Pete Rouse and Robert Gibbs will be announced tomorrow as White House Press Secretary.

Obama is expected to hold a news conference tomorrow from Chicago, Illinois. Expect a few other positions to be announced at that time as well. Politico.com has more here.

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