The name Rahm Emanuel is being floated around as the Barack Obama pick for White House chief of staff. The 48 year old Chicago native is U.S. Representative D-Illinois since 2003, representing the 5th district which encompasses the north side of Chicago.
The son of an immigrant, he began his career with the consumer rights organization Public Action, where he fought against big rate increases by local utilities. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in 1981, he received a Master’s Degree in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985.
Emanuel is the fourth ranking Democrat in the House behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Steny Hoyer and Whip Jim Clyburn. He served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2006 elections. He was then elected the next chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Rahm, who served as a political and policy adviser to President Clinton, continued their relationship as chairman of the DCCC, talked strategy with him at least once a month. His strong style and fund raising prowess have elevated his stature considerably. He co-authored the 2006 book The Plan: Big Ideas for America and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition.
Rahm knows policy, knows politics and knows Capitol Hill. Obama could make the announcement as early as this week according to ABC News Chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos.
Emanuel and his wife have three children and reside in Chicago’s Ravenwood neighborhood.
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