Obama, Emanuel issue statements on COS appointment

[kpete]

Obama, Emanuel issue statements on COS appointment
by SusanG
Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 03:15:04 PM PST

Via press release from the Obama team, we have the following official statements on the appointment of Rahm Emanuel as President-Elect Barack Obama's chief of staff. First, from Obama:

I am pleased to announce that my good friend, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, has agreed to serve as my White House chief of staff. I announce this appointment first because the Chief of Staff is central to the ability of a President and Administration to accomplish an agenda. And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel.

During his seven years in the Clinton White House, Rahm was the point man on some of the most difficult issues, from the passage of landmark anti-crime legislation to the expansion of health care coverage for children. In just six years in Congress, he has risen to leadership, helping to craft myriad important pieces of legislation and guide them to passage. In between, Rahm spent several years in the private sector, where he worked on large and complicated financial transactions. That experience, combined with his service on the committees on Ways and Means and Banking, have given Rahm deep insights into the challenging economic issues that will be front and center for our Administration. Though Rahm understands how to get things done in Washington, he still looks at the world from the perspective of his neighbors and constituents on the Northwest Side of Chicago, who work long and hard, and ask only that their government stand on their side and honor their values. The son of an Israeli immigrant, Rahm shares a passionate love for this country, and has devoted much of his life to its cause.

His decision to accept this position is a wonderful reflection of that commitment, for it is not easy to give up the significant position he holds today as chair of the House Democratic conference. The post he has accepted also will require more time away from Amy, and their children, Zach, Ilana and Leah, which I know is painful and difficult.

I appreciate his friendship. And I, and all Americans, should be grateful that Rahm is once again answering his country’s call.

more (including Rahm's statement):
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/6/155552/216/986/656006

[blonndee]

1. I have what might be a dumb question.

What exactly does a chief of staff do? From my understanding, s/he is kind of like a "right hand man," kind of like a go-between for the president and others. Is that anywhere close?

Sorry if I should know this already.

[oviedodem]

2. COS is really the point man btw the prez and congress among other things

Basically Rahm will not let the Republicans OR the Democrats strong arm Obama

[blonndee]

4. Thank you. So this person has to be someone whom the president really trusts, huh.

I'm curious to learn about the relationship between the two men.

[babylonsister]

3. Here's a description:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/uselection/story.html?id=935770

As White House chief of staff, Mr. Emanuel would serve as gatekeeper to Mr. Obama, deciding who has access to the Oval Office. The duties of the position vary from administration to administration, but generally the chief of staff serves as the president's top adviser, plays a major role in selecting the president's appointees, and manages other White House officials. He would help plan the president's agenda.

[blonndee]

5. Thanks babylonsister!

That does sound like a very important position. I'm glad that Obama has already chosen someone. Obviously he has put a lot of thought into it, having made this his first pick so soon.

[Lumpsum]

7. President is the Yes-man.

Chief of Staff is the No-man.

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. The Dogmas of the Past

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.
The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.
As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew."


I like the quote of Lincoln, Rahm included in his letter.

[Marsala]

8. A great press release

Very honest about Emanuel's considerable strengths. Though I have to laugh at this sentence: "Rahm spent several years in the private sector, where he worked on large and complicated financial transactions." That's a nice little way of saying that he was an investment banker, at a time when investment bankers are not very popular.