leaders when major legislation is under consideration . Jim Manley , a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nevada , called Emanuel : `` An excellent choice . '' `` Rahm knows the Hill . And he knows the White House . He is a brilliant strategic thinker and someone who knows how to get things done , '' Manley said . Manley also rejected the idea that Emanuel is a true partisan that could not work with Republicans . `` That 's ridiculous . Rahm understands politics is the art of compromise . He 's got a deeply held set of views but he also understands to get things done you have to compromise , '' he said . After leaving the Clinton White House , Emanuel , 48 , was an investment banker on Wall Street and later was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 from a heavily Democratic Chicago district . He quickly rose to become the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House . Watch what Emanuel brings to the White House '' It is Emanuel 's combination of experiences -- plus his strong personal relationship with Obama -- that would make him a
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel will bring a `` tough-minded '' and `` pragmatic '' approach to the White House when he becomes President-elect Barack Obama 's chief of staff , according to people who know the Chicago , Illinois , native . Rep. Rahm Emanuel has experience in the White House , on Wall Street and on Capitol Hill . Emanuel , a former top aide to President Clinton , has accepted the position in the new administration , Obama confirmed in a statement Thursday . `` I announce this appointment first because the chief of staff is central to the ability of a president and administration to accomplish an agenda , '' Obama said . `` And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel . '' In the job , Emanuel would oversee the White House staff . The chief of staff is usually involved in all the major decisions that the president makes and is responsible for making sure the administration carries out the president 's wishes . Watch Emanuel call himself `` fortunate '' '' The chief of staff also often is involved in negotiations with congressional