It's Official: Emanuel is Obama Chief of Staff

clipped from www.politico.com 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.  The selection is the first major public decision by Obama since he was elected in a landslide on Tuesday.  The decision is to be announced Friday in Chicago, when Obama holds his first news conference as president-elect, after a meeting with his economic advisers. Aides say Obama and his family will relax at home for the weekend, then come to Washington to visit their new home, the White House, at the invitation of President Bush and first lady Laura Bush. The announcement will send a signal that Obama is eager to work with Congress and plans a swift launch of an aggressive agenda that will focus on the economy, taxes, energy, education and health care.

No surprise. This has been in the works for a few days, but now it's official. I suppose this should be the first position filled, since this is basically the guy who runs the cabinet.

Emanuel wasn't on my wishlist, but you take what you can get. For Secretary of State, say it with me, "Bill Richardson, Bill Richardson, Bill Richardson..."

There's been some talk of Robert Kennedy Jr. joining the team as head of the EPA. A good choice, but make him Attorney General and watch Dick Cheney shit his pants and run.

See also; Obama Considers Stars for Cabinet.