Jake Tapper just tweeted that:
BREAKING -- Rahm Emanuel Likely to Leave White House This Week
Although no final decision has been made because of family considerations, ABC News has learned that White House officials are preparing for Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to announce on Friday -- as Congress adjourns for recess -- that he is leaving his post to explore a run for mayor of Chicago.
White House officials expect that President Obama will also name an interim chief of staff, perhaps senior adviser Pete Rouse, at the announcement.
Sources close to Emanuel cautioned that he has yet to pull that last trigger on the decision.
Emanuel's likely departure is not a surprise; his mayoral aspirations are well known.
This can mean a couple things:
1.) The White House needed a shake-up ASAP before the Midterm Elections to rejuvenate Democratic voters enthusiasm.
and
2.) This probably answers the question, "Is Rahm running for Chicago's Mayor?"
Yes.
More on Rahm's aspirations for Chicago's Mayoral Race:
The former Chicagoan has never been coy about his desire to head the proverbial City With Shoulders.
"One day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago. ... That's always been an aspiration of mine, even when I was in the House of Representatives," Emanuel said in April to Bloomberg's Charlie Rose. With Daley's announced exit, ambitious Chicago Democrats quickly began angling to replace him, creating pressure for Emanuel to make a decision on his White House position soon, even coming from the president himself.
Emanuel has to declare his intent to enter the race by Nov. 22, the filing deadline in Chicago. Candidates need to collect 12,500 signatures by that day to qualify for a Feb. 22, 2011 Democratic primary. Emanuel came to the White House with a reputation and political identity in-and-of himself. The feisty four-term former congressman from Illinois is a veteran of the Clinton administration and a close Obama political ally from the president's early days in Chicago.
Yep. He's running.
Who's Replacing Rahm Emanuel?
Now the question arises who will replace Rahm Emanuel. If the White House was smart, a bold progressive would be the smartest thing they can do right now considering the enthusiasm gap between Dems Vs. Repubs.
Names that are buzzing right now are:
>Vice President Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain
>Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon
>White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina
>Former Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle
>David Plouffe
>Valarie Jarette
Bigger Shakeup?
Last week the White House announced that National Economic Council director Larry Summers is expected to leave the administration after the mid-term elections.
Related
Rahm Emanuel Puts 'Retarded' Offensiveness in Spotlight
Earlier this month Christina Romer resigned as the chairwoman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors.
And Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orzsag resigned over the summer as well.
The White House has been working hard to downplay the departures.
Senior Obama adviser Pete Rouse, will likely serve as interim chief of staff if Emanuel departs, several administration officials have said.
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