Obama approaches Rahm Emanuel as possible White House Chief of Staff

[Seen the light]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081030/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama's campaign has approached Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel about possibly serving as White House chief of staff, officials said Thursday, looking ahead as the marathon presidential race entered its final, frenzied stretch with a Democratic tilt.

The Democrats who described the contact with Emanuel spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to be quoted by name.

Emanuel worked in President Clinton's White House and is now a member of the House Democratic leadership. An aide, Sarah Feinberg, said in an e-mail that he "has not been contacted to take a job in an administration that does not yet exist."

Both Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, have authorized aides in recent weeks to begin work on a transition to power, but only one of them will be in a position to make use of the results.

[ShortnFiery]

1. I hope not but he could do worse.

:shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

2. Interesting Leak. Wonder why and who actually leaked this?

The Obama camp is leak proof, which is why I'm wondering.

[Skidmore]

6. I'd lay odds on ole Rahm himself.

[Kahuna]

17. LOL! Gotta love him. nt

[FloridaGrl]

21. I am wondering this as well n/t

[babylonsister]

3. I don't recall many rumors flying out of the Obama camp; I wonder

who the bigmouths are, or if this is mere speculation.

[progressivebydesign]

10. The Obama campaign is so disciplined, that's why I don't believe this.

And they're sorta busy right now.. trying to win an election in a few days. So I don't believe it.

[xchrom]

4. gack -- can't stand rahm. nt

[Mojambo]

5. I don't really like Rahm's positions on the issues, so an administrative spot might be better. n/t

[lamp_shade]

7. If it's true, I think Rahm's an excellent choice.

[CatWoman]

36. we may be in the minority here

:)

but I agree :)

[terrya]

8. Well, I wouldn't broadcast this stuff 5 days before the election, but what do I know?

It does smack of presumption.

I know both campaigns have transition staffs in place, but this is a little blatant.

[progressivebydesign]

9. I don't know if I believe this. I think it's a McCain bullshit leak.

Let me tell you why. Rahm Emanuel, in the eyes of the raging right wingers, has a name that would flame the fires of the racists and xenophobic. I think it's a fake leak... Obama is NOT interviewing Chiefs of Staff for heaven's sake. He is RATHER BUSY right now...

[mucifer]

12. most people don't know who Rham is.

[FrenchieCat]

That's what I'm thinking.....dirty tricks!

[Seen the light]

14. The article DOES say that "Democrats" were the ones that leaked this

[Kdillard]

11. Somebody has a big mouth and I don't think Obama will be

happy with them if this is true.

[Dr Fate]

13. He did say he would have Republicans in his administration. n/t

n/t

[high density]

15. hahaha

:spray:

[madfloridian]

16. If true, then we know the way the party is heading.

And that is all I have to say.

[FrenchieCat]

22. We don't know anything .....

[phoenixriz]

25. Obama's campaign has no leaks

Just look back to the VP speculations.

[stillcool]

18. I never believe anything that..

anonymous says.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

19. IMO he'd make a great one. Who else combines having been on the board of a major

financial corporation (Freddie Mac) with extensive ties to Congressional leaders?

Untangling the economic crisis requires the kinds of connections only Emanuel has, to make sure President Obama brings all important stakeholders to the table every time.

[onenote]

20. I've heard that Tom Daschle is a front runner for chief of staff

[FrenchieCat]

23. Fuck! It's AP!

I ain't believing shit from them. They have lied so much this general election season, it ain't even funny.

Great way to show that Obama is "Presumptious".......and have the Bloggers as the ones leading the conversation!

[FrenchieCat]

24. Fuck! It's AP!

I ain't believing shit from them. They have lied so much this general election season, it ain't even funny.

Great way to show that Obama is "Presumptious".......and have the Bloggers as the ones leading the conversation!

[wyldwolf]

26. I don't think he wants it

[IndianaJones]

27. imagine the exploding heads from the DLC haters. bwaaa. n.t

[wyldwolf]

28. well, he's set

He's popular with the Dem leadership. He's a future Senator, speaker, whatever. He can almost write his own ticket at this point.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

29. Maybe not, but WH COS is called the second most poerful person in the world

[wyldwolf]

31. true, but I think he wants to be Speaker

[justiceischeap]

30. Sometimes a campaign will "leak" things to get a public reaction to picks

I'm guessing this is what this is.

[WeDidIt]

32. This was a test of the Obama Vetting System

This was ONLY a test.

Had this been an actual appointment, you would have heard of no leaks.

[washingdem]

33. I liked the idea of Daschle better.

[Unsane]

34. barf

[Unsane]

35. He would be awesome in that role, but I don't think he wants to leave Congress.