Wow:
WASHINGTON -- The White House has announced the resignation of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. In a brief statement Thursday, Administration officials praised Emanuel for his service and said he was leaving for personal reasons.
The stunning move comes one day after President Obama both signed legislation aimed at reforming America's health care system and also announced plans to open up large portions of the US coast to oil drilling exploration.
Emanuel, who could not be reached for comment, was a former Clinton Administration official and four term Congressman from Illinois before his appointment as Obama's Chief of Staff in November 2009.
A controversial figure with a reputation for bare knuckle politics and salty language, the centrist Democrat repeatedly clashed with more liberal members of his party over the direction of Administration policy.
An unconfirmed report by an anonymous White House official states that Obama and Emanuel became engaged in a heated discussion after Wednesday's press conference, with the President expressing particular disappointment that his vaunted health care initiative has not been better received by the public.
(x-post: Docudharma)