Rahm Emanuel: A closer look at Obama's choice

05 November 2008 @ 02:49 pm EDT

President-elect Barack Obama has already begun shaping his White House administration, just hours after being elected the 44th president of the U.S., by offering Rahm Emanuel a position.


Obama and Rahn Emanuel
Rep. Rahm Emanuel with then-Sen. Barack Obama at a Chicago 2016 Olympic rally at Daley Center Plaza in Chicago. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
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According to ABC news source, Obama has offered the job of chief of staff to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill. He is the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House.

Obama could make the announcement as early as this week according to ABC News Chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos.

Emmanuel, who served in Bill Clinton's administration, has not yet replied to the offer. He is the fourth ranking Democrat in the House behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Steny Hoyer and Whip Jim Clyburn.

He was chairman of the Democratic campaign committee two years ago, when the party won a majority for the first time in more than decade. Emmanuel also served as senior adviser and fundraiser for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley before joining the Clinton White House.

Emanuel also co-authored the 2006 book The Plan: Big Ideas for America and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition.

Obama made history last night by becoming the first African-American to win the White House with a landslide victory over Republican John McCain. The Illinois senator gained 338 electoral votes to McCain's 162, although three states -- Missouri, Indiana and North Carolina -- are too close to project.

Obama made his acceptance speech in Grant Park, Chicago where tens of thousands of supporters gathered there to greet him as the next president.

This article is copyrighted by International Business Times.

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