Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel is the White House chief of staff, serving under President-elect Barack Obama. The announcement of his appointment came on November 5, 2008, the morning after election day; Emanuel reportedly accepted the offer the same day, though a representative for the congressman denied this.National Journal Online: Reports: Emanuel Accepts Chief Of Staff Position (November 5, 2008) MSNBC: Emanuel accepts top slot in Obama WH

Emanuel is the Democratic representative of Illinois' Fifth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2005 to 2007. According to reports, Emanuel will officially resign from his House seat on Friday, January 2, 2009 to join President-elect Obama's transition team.Fox News: Emanuel to Resign House Seat... (December 29, 2008)

This is Congressman Rahm Emanuel. As you may have heard, President-elect Obama has asked me to be his new chief of staff and I have accepted this offer. Therefore, in the near future, I will be resigning from Congress. ... I also want you to know, it has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your representative for the last six years,—Rahm Emanuel in a recorded call to constituents.Fox News: Emanuel to Resign House Seat... (December 29, 2008)

As the Chairman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Emanuel led the Congress to pass sweeping ethics reforms, increase minimum wage, expand research for stem cells, lower costs of prescription drugs, and cut interest rates for educational loans. In 2007, the Democrats in the House elected Emanuel to chair the Democratic Caucus, which marked him as the 4th-highest ranking member of the House Democrats. As a former banker, the majority of Emanuel's largest campaign contributors have been financial institutions.

Emanuel was one of the speakers on the second day, August 26, of the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver. Emanuel was a key member of Bill Clinton's presidential team and had his loyalties split between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both longtime friends, during the Democratic primaries.Chicago Tribune: 5 Questions for Rahm Emanuel (August 26, 2008)

• Huffington Post: Rahm On Rush: He's The Voice, Energy And Intellect Of The GOP (March 1, 2009)

• Rolling Stone: The Enforcer (2005)