Politico:
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), a wily, aggressive West Wing strategist under President Bill Clinton, has accepted the post of White House chief of staff for President-elect Barack Obama, Democratic officials tell Politico.
This is the 1st major decision of the Obama administration. What does it mean?
Emanuel has a hard-nosed style, and is known for aggressively working the press. Despite his combative political style, he has working relationships with many congressional Republicans, including Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), a rising GOP star who said after his reelection this week that he plans to leave his No. 3 post in the party's House leadership.
Do we feel good about this move? A Clintonista in charge?
I felt that he was a powerful surrogate during the general election. And he certainly didn't anger too many Obama people with his words during the primaries.
I also felt that he conveys the calm "no drama" demeanor held by Axelrod, Plouffe, and so many other Obamanites. Sure, he's been criticized by hyper-partisan nutjobs like Debra Saunders of the SF Chronicle. But they can't resist the demands of their new role of attacking each and every step of the new Obama administration.
More from Politico:
The runner-up for the post was former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), who may take another senior post in the administration.
We even get the photo finish results. Golly. I like Daschle a lot, but feel that Prez-elect Obama made the right choice betwee these two men. Daschle is also a calm customer, but many too much so. He will almost surely be offered another important role if the above quote is true. Any tinfoil predictions? Sec. of State?
Update:
WaPo
During the 1988 election cycle, Emanuel served as national field director at the DCCC under then Chairman Beryl Anthony (Ark.) and then spent the better part of the 1990s affiliated in one way or another with the campaign and then presidency of Bill Clinton. Emanuel oversaw fundraising during the presidential campaign of Clinton and served as political director in the White House.
Over those fifteen years as a staffer, Emanuel earned a take-no-prisoners reputation and a nickname -- "Rahmbo" -- to go with it.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) seized on Emanuel's partisan reputation to condemn the choice.
"This is an ironic choice for a President-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center," said Boehner in a statement.