Obama kick-starts transition, picks Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff
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A day after winning an historic election to become the first black American president, Barack Obama on Wednesday stepped into the role of president-elect, inviting Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill) to join his administration as his White House chief of staff, Democratic officials.
If Emanuel accepts, which sources say he is likely to do, he will return to the White House where he served as a political and policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. Emanuel is the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives as the Democratic Caucus Chair.
Emanuel is the son of a Jerusalem-born pediatrician who was a member of the Irgun (Etzel or IZL), a militant Zionist group that operated in Palestine between 1931 and 1948.
Several Democrats also said Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, was actively seeking appointment as secretary of state in the new administration.
Two campaign officials said the appointment of a chief of staff was not expected for at least a day.
Instead, they said Obama would issue a written statement announcing that his transition team would be headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under 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.
The officials who described the developments did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss events not yet announced.
On the day after Obama's election, several prominent Democrats described uncertainty about the extent to which lobbyists would be invited to work in the new administration. As a candidate, Obama frequently said lobbyists would not run his White House.
That left unclear whether they would be permitted to serve, and if so, in what posts and under what conditions.
The president-elect had breakfast with his wife and daughters, then left his house for a workout at a nearby gym. Aides said he intended to visit his campaign headquarters later in the day to thank his staff.
Obama has 10 weeks to build a new administration. But his status as an incumbent member of Congress presents issues unseen since 1960, when Democrat John F. Kennedy moved from the Senate to the White House.
The Senate is scheduled to hold a post-election session in two weeks, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a news conference Wednesday to reinforce her call for quick action on a bill to stimulate the economy.
That places Obama in uncharted territory - a president-elect, presumably first among equals among congressional Democrats. Yet his and their ability to enact legislation depends almost entirely until Inauguration Day on President George W. Bush's willingness to sign it.
The congressman from the 5th District of Illinois, Chicago's North Side, is Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat elected in 2002 and a major force in the House. Emanuel was born in Chicago and grew up in Wilmette, the son of an Israeli immigrant. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence, got a master's degree in communications from Northwestern and began his career with Illinois Public Action, a consumer rights group. California Representative Tony Coelho recruited him to join the staff of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1985. He worked for Mayor Richard M. Daley, before joining Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1991. He was rewarded with a high-level staff post in the Clinton White House, where he gained wide respect for his political savvy but drew criticism, even from allies, for an arrogant and abrasive style. In 1999 he left the White House and returned to Chicago where he made millions as an investment banker. His decision to run for Congress was greeted with disdain by those who had toiled for years in the vineyards of Chicago politics.
Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita is quoted as having said [on Wednesday] - following the election of Senator Barack Obama as America's next president, that this is not the first time that a black person was elected to a leadership post, 'News1′ reports.
Yiddishkeit believes a person with black skin is a descendant of Cham, the son of Noach, upon who it is written ''he will serve his brother''. Rav Kanievsky stated in regard to the president-elect that he will be a ''servant who rules'', adding there is a historical precedent with King Herod (Hurdus), who was also black. ''Herod made Tzaros for Am Yisrael, but he also built the Beis HaMikdosh'' stated the Rav.
There is a measure of ambivalence regarding Herod, who came from a family of converts. He began ruling over Malchus Yehuda in the year 37 BCE after conquering Yerushalayim from the last Chasmonaim king, Matisyahu Antignus. He was supported by the Roman Senate.
Washington - Rahm Emanuel Pauses Chief Of Staff Position, As He Is In Line To Replace Pelosi As House Speaker
U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) sits with his children during the nomination process for Speaker of the House-elect Nancy Pelosi during a swearing in ceremony for the 110th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 4, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Washington - Amid widespread speculation over who might serve in an Obama Administration, the name most often mentioned is Rahm Emanuel's. The Chicago congressman and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus has been described as a "profane," "hyperactive" "party attack dog," but it's his steamrolling personality that President-elect Obama might most prize. As White House chief of staff, Emanuel could do some of the president's law-making dirty work, helping Obama maintain cordial relationships with legislators and others. There are few people in Washington D.C. who would be a more formidable gatekeeper to the Oval Office. Plus, with the 44th President having just four years of experience in Congress, Emanuel's relationships and knowledge of individual lawmakers — not to mention his fund-raising prowess — could make him a valuable asset.
A report that Emanuel had accepted an Obama offer for White House chief of staff has been retracted, but other reports have said the congressman is "agonizing" over whether to accept the position. He could be in line to replace Nancy Pelosi as House majority leader, which may be what's giving him pause. One thing is for sure: Emanuel will be a powerful force over the next four years no matter where he is.
Fast Facts:
• 48 years old, married to Amy Rule, a woman he met on a blind date. They have three children.
• He studied ballet in high school and was offered a scholarship to the
Joffrey Ballet, but went to Sarah Lawrence College instead, where he
got a bachelor's degree. He has a master's degree in speech from
Northwestern University.
• As a teenager, he severed his right middle finger slicing meat at a
fast food restaurant and went swimming in Lake Michigan before getting
stitches. The wound became severly infected, Emanuel almost died and
the top of the finger was amputated.
• Has served in the White House before, as a senior advisor to Bill
Clinton. On Emanuel's 38th birthday, Clinton gave him a photo with the
following tongue-in-cheek inion: "Now Mr. President, how many
times do I have to tell you, say it this way?" Clinton wrote. "And, by
the way, wish me a happy birthday. Always gently, Rahm. 11/29/97."
• Before working in the Clinton White House, Emanuel worked for Chicago
Mayor Richard M. Daley. He was first elected to Congress in 2002, and
is the fourth-highest ranking House Democrat.
• In between his stints in Washington, Emanuel got rich working as an
investment banker. He once sat on the board of Freddie Mac and recuses
himself from any Congressional votes on the mortgage giant.
• Orchestrated the Democratic takeover of the House in 2006 and is known among colleagues as Rahmbo.
• A devout Jew, Emanuel was so intent on negotiating the passage of
Congress's $700 billion bailout bill that he got a special waiver from
his rabbi to work through Rosh Hashanah.
• Has been known to send out cheesecakes from Eli's Bakery in Chicago
to campaign donors. Once, when a pollster made him angry, Emanuel sent
him a dead fish.
• His brother, Ari, is a high-powered Hollywood agent and the basis for Jeremy Piven's character in the HBO series Entourage, Ari Gold. Emmanuel himself was the basis for the character played by Bradley Whitford in The West Wing: Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.
Congressman Rahm Emanuel has agreed to be President-elect Barack Obama's White House chief of staff. It's the first major position filled since Obama's victory. (Nov. 6)
Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita is quoted as having said [on Wednesday] - following the election of Senator Barack Obama as America's next president, that this is not the first time that a black person was elected to a leadership post, 'News1′ reports.
