Rahm Emanuel: Obama Chief Of Staff (SLIDESHOW)

Who is Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's Chief of Staff? Check out HuffPost's slideshow for more information and read HuffPost's Rahm Emanuel BigNews Page. And for even more news on Rahm, read the latest on how he mulled over the big White House job.

• • • • • • • • • • • • Emanuel sits with his children Zacharias, Ilana and Leah, during the nomination process for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and a swearing-in ceremony for the 110th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on January 4, 2007.

After much back-and-forth, Rahm Emanuel has officially accepted the post of White House Chief of Staff.

Rahm Emanuel publicly mulled over Obama's offer to ABC's Chicago affiliate Thursday:

"Now, my view is, I have obviously two great opportunities, as you know, before me," Emanuel said. "I have to make a decision about my family. I've been in the White House. I used to joke in the White House that on Fridays, I would say: it's two more workdays till Monday. When I was in the White House, I didn't have children. I do know something about the White House, and I do have children now. I have a family."

"And so you weigh these--what is the opportunity for your children, and what is the cost? And then you weigh, obviously, the choice if I have this offer, what do I want to do? And so I know--first of all, I'm honored even to be considered. I'm honored, as I say, to be re-elected. These are uptown choices. This is not a professional choice. This is a personal choice about what my wife & I want to do for our family, as much as what to do with my career.

"Just so you know, when I chose to run for Congress, I took months to think about it. This is being asked in a few days.

Comments

[Ceasar]

Rahm is such a beautiful man. He ages well like wine. Yum.

[ccmd]

aging has done him well

[mercuryguy]

My reaction to this selection is 'good selection'. I read on Wikipedia that Rahm is a big Israel supporter and I am of the opinion that US needs to be neutral to both Israel and Palestine. I'm sure the AIPAC and their lot will not agree with me. Hopefully Mr O will be use Rahm for just COS and not foreign policy.

[tbone99]

Rahm - Isreal's reassurance that Obama won't go "bad " on them... beholden to APAIC
Dual citizenship with a dad who displaced and blew up Palestinians in '48 , member of the Irgyun.
Rahm a big Nafta proponent . Good for Wall st. Bad for Main St. Member of the DLC.
No change , business as usual

[DarlaVA]

go get 'em Rahmbo.
I think Emanuel is the perfect complement to Obama's brilliance. Yin and Yang for a complete working whole.

[nick53]

is he a good or bad choice?
Obviously better than having palin int he white house, I know that much!
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/blame_palin
and
http://www.spinwhip.com/palin

[daedelus]

He's a mensch.

[metivo]

Has anyone else noticed that if a movie is ever made of the Obama administration, that Robert Downey Jr. would be a dead ringer for Rahm?

[robieusa]

Emmanuel is my congressman. Some pundits are calling him divisive, amongst other things. He has always been very effective and is known to put his opinions and party lines aside to get the job done. He is good for this job, too.

[mjrovito]

I know there are some Democrats/liberals who have some beef with Rahm for his stance on immigration reform back in 2006. Some claim that his views on Dem support for reform would have repercussions in the Congressional races (again, 2006), and for individuals to steer clear on commenting on their stance.

However, I don't think it is that divisive of a choice. Rahm is a very intelligent individual who can offer much to Obama's administration.

http://rovitoreview.blogspot.com

[monstris]

I know this is rather shallow and most unintelligent...but Rahm Emanuel is looking pretty hot these days.

[monstris]

Ah...and Rahm's brother Ari is one of the big boys at the Endeavor Agency...who represent Tina Fey. Oh yes.

[DarlaVA]

shallow or not...It's the truth : ) whooHa I have a crush on him myself.

[shlemmie]

Haha! And I was worried about being the only one!

[Lupin77]

Great photos - thank you.

[semorg]

He served in the I-S-R-A-E-L's army instead of US. What does that tell you about him.

[sheck]

Let's see ... In 1991 during the Gulf War he served the Israeli Defense Forces as a civilian volunteer at an army base. His job was rustproofing equipment. It doesn't sound to me like he was trained to carry weapons or participate in combat. Do you really think this level of commitment is at all comparable to enlistment in the U.S. Army?

[daedelus]

It tells me he served in Israel's army.

[rjgwood]

Rahm is a hardliner about Isreal...I hope this doesn't keep Obama from a more sane policy toward the middle-east peace process!

[semorg]

he is more than a hardliner he served in the Israeli Army during the desert storm instead of serving for the US Army. His father was a member of the terrorist organization Irgun. I wish Hufpo would do a real story on this guy.

[lfotweaker]

Unfortunately, it's a sea of propaganda. The only place you'll hear the truth about these things are on the patriot radio stations.

[Hatsone]

When I hear republicans complain about how Obama's choice in picking Rahm is a bad one, I immediately think that the opposite must be the case, because whatever republicans say the opposite is usually the truth. Barack has run, probably, the greatest political campaign in US history. If Obama says that Rahm is the best person for this position, I trust him. The GOP has been castrated, reduced to in-fighting children because of President O's incredible leadership. Trust his leadership!

[GhostNyc]

it hasn't even been a full 48 hrs since Obama won the presidency and the GOP is already criticizing.

Why don't they do something more constructive and explain to me what happened with McCain's campaign, Palin's nomination, the implosion of the GOP, the loss of direction and moral standing of conservatism, the last EIGHT YEARS OF RUNNING THIS COUNTRY INTO THE GROUND!!

[politisophical]

you guys are tripin'... i supported obama as much as the next person but that does not mean im gonna follow obama mindlessly..

im gonna criticize him every time he messes up.. Rahm is not a strong choice, and he is designed to bring dems to the center, and he was a supporter of the war till 2006.. now they are talking about Powel??- did you people live through the last 8 years/??

im a republican, i voted for obama to bring MAJOR change... Rahm is not an encouraging choice

[older2wiser]

I totally agree with Hatsone... When you hear the repub's complain about Obama's choices I too immediately think of the opposite also. And yes, Barack has run the greatest campaign in US history. I also trust his choices, and I trust his leadership. Let the GOP point fingers @ each other, fight amongst themselves- in the meantime we will be moving on!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!