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'''Rahm Emanuel''' (b. 1959) is a powerful Democrat who is Chief of Staff to President [[Obama]]. He represented [[Illinois]]' 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives 2003-2008.  As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, he took credit gaining a majority for the first time since 1994. He became a top leader as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the House.  A member of a prominent Jewish family, Emanuel is a staunch supporter of [[Israel]]. [[File:Rahm-emanuel.jpg|thumb|200px|Rahm Emanuel (left) with president Obama, 2009]]  Shortly after Obama's election in 2008, Emanuel became Chief of Staff and took charge of planning and operations for the incoming [[Obama Administration]].

'''Rahm Emanuel''' (b. 1959) is a powerful Democrat who is Chief of Staff to President [[Obama]]. He represented [[Illinois]]' 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives 2003-2008.  As chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, he took credit gaining a majority for the first time since 1994. He became a top leader as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the House.  A member of a prominent Jewish family, Emanuel is a staunch supporter of [[Israel]]. He was blasted by leftists for his staunch support of the war in  Iraq.  [[File:Rahm-emanuel.jpg|thumb|200px|Rahm Emanuel (left) with president Obama, 2009]]  He was neutral during the 2008 primaries, but when Obama was elected president he immediately appointed Emanuel Chief of Staff. Wearing many hats, Emaneuel took charge of planning, appointments and operations for the incoming [[Obama Administration]].

Illustrating Emanuel's penchant for exploiting crises for political gain, he remarked, "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste." <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yeA_kHHLow Rahm Emanuel]YouTube- you never want a serious crisis video</ref><ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122721278056345271.html?mod=googlenews_wsj]</ref>

Illustrating Emanuel's penchant for exploiting crises for political gain, he remarked, "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste; they are opportunities to do big things." <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yeA_kHHLow Rahm Emanuel]YouTube- you never want a serious crisis video</ref><ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122721278056345271.html?mod=googlenews_wsj]</ref>

In the White House Emanuel's aggressive demands for a stimulus package won passage of the liberals' [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|$789 billion bill]] in February, but alienated Republicans (only three of whom voted for it). His seizure of control of the Census Bureau from the Commerce department led Senator [[Judd Gregg]], a leading Republican, to reverse himself and reject the job of Secretary of Commerce. Emanuel released control of the census to head off complaints of political interference.  Emanuel also ran roughshod over the Secretary of State, vetoing her choice for a senior aide.  

In the White House Emanuel's aggressive demands for a stimulus package won passage of the liberals' [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009|$789 billion bill]] in February, but alienated Republicans (only three of whom voted for it). His seizure of control of the Census Bureau from the Commerce department led Senator [[Judd Gregg]], a leading Republican, to reverse himself and reject the job of Secretary of Commerce. Emanuel released control of the census to head off complaints of political interference.  Emanuel also ran roughshod over the Secretary of State, vetoing her choice for a senior aide.  

Emanuel is the most influential White House chief of staff in decades, as the principal author of Obama’s do-everything-at-once strategy. He will gain if the administration stabilizes the financial markets, achieves economic recovery, remakes the health care system and winds down the war in Iraq while successfully prosecuting the one in Afghanistan.

Emanuel is the most powerful White House chief of staff in decades, as the principal author of Obama’s do-everything-at-once strategy. He will gain if the administration stabilizes the financial markets, achieves economic recovery, remakes the health care system and winds down the war in Iraq while successfully prosecuting the one in Afghanistan.

But if events turn sour--and as of mid August, 2009, Obama’s polls are falling, the health care legislation is under popular attack, the budget deficit is gigantic, and Afghanistan remains unstable--it is Emanuel whose job will be on the line as failures in moving left will force Obama to move to the right.<ref>Peter Baker and Jeff Zeleny, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/us/politics/16emanuel.html?_r=1&hp ''Emanuel Wields Power Freely, and Faces the Risks," ''New York Times'' Aug. 15, 2009]</ref>

But if events turn sour--and as of mid August, 2009, Obama’s polls are falling, the health care legislation is under popular attack, the budget deficit is gigantic, and Afghanistan remains unstable--it is Emanuel whose job will be on the line as failures in moving left will force Obama to move to the right.<ref>Peter Baker and Jeff Zeleny, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/us/politics/16emanuel.html?_r=1&hp ''Emanuel Wields Power Freely, and Faces the Risks," ''New York Times'' Aug. 15, 2009]</ref>