Source: Obama wants Valerie Jarrett to replace him in Senate
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/09/art.jarrett.afp.gi.jpg caption="Valerie Jarrett is one of Barack Obama's closest advisers."]
(Update: Two Democratic sources told CNN Monday that Obama wants Jarrett to serve in the White House, not the Senate.)
(CNN) - A prominent Democratic source close to Barack Obama confirmed Sunday that Valerie Jarrett is Obama’s choice to replace him in the Senate.
Jarrett is a Chicago lawyer and one of Obama’s closest advisers. She is also one of the leaders of Obama’s transition team.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff, said Sunday that he had not seen the report from Chicago’s WLS-TV that named Jarrett as Obama’s top pick, but he praised her as a “valuable ally.”
“People should know that Valerie Jarrett is - and people do know - she is a very dear friend of the president-elect and a valuable ally of his, not only prior to running for president, in his Senate life, and just personally for Michelle and Barack,” Emanuel said on ABC’s “This Week.”
The Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, will make the final decision on who will be Obama’s successor.
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AN EXTREMELY BETTER CHOICE THAN PALIN .
Until we hear those words coming out of President Elect Obama's mouth SOME OF YOU JUST NEED TO RELAX!!!!!!! Always jumping onto something that isn't even actual or factual. JUST RELAX!!! and take a chill pill!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08 /12 YES WE DID!!!!!
I, personally, do not believe anything the media reports anymore. All of the cable networks are in a fierce competition for ratings right now. As for me, please leave the President-Elect Barack Obama alone so he can get the jobs flowing in this economy asap. People, we are in more trouble than you would think. And when the media does go on these "spin for ratings" tantrums, ask them why they let George W. Bush lead us into Iraq and the United States of America was not attacked by them. That is an issue they all CONTINUE TO HIDE. It has been a few days since the election, and already, no one is "happy". Find someone else to blame your miseries on and leave Obama alone. My goodness, can you give him 5 minutes to absorb his historic victory; is that asking to much; a 5 minute "non-bash" Obama segment? Such small minds.
Hope and Change we can believe in: politicas as usual. Hope&Change, Hope&Change, Hope&Change, Hope&Change, Hope&Change.
Bollocks.
She is the PERFECT choice. I saw her interviewed recently Loved her!
Why not have a special election? Sarah Palin took her own power and put into the hands of the people. In Alaska the people vote for their senator in a special election. I guess hopechange is just croneyism. Surprise America you got a typical Chicago THUG politician.
COme on, naysayers. Working together is not a bad attribute, especially between qualified people.
So now there's Afirmitive Action in the Senate.
So much for change
Very good choice because had he had insist on Jesse Jackson Jr. most of you right wingers would be in an up roar!
Don't hate people! Congratulate! He is your president too! And his cabinet choices will be yours as well, so why continue to fret. Maybe some of you should have run for something instead of whinning!
I believe (to comment back to the commenters saying "didn't Obama say he wants another African-American to replace him in the Senate"?) that Valerie Jarrett is a "mutt like him" as he would say, so she would be considered African-American, she's just very "light skinned".
She actually sounds very qualified for the position, so why not?
It is in the best interest of the voters of IL that the appointement be based on who will act most like Obama in the Senate. After all, that's who we voted in. I would hate to see this be a thank you gift for support, or used as a stepping stone for a poorly quailified canidate.
I'm not suggesting that we look for some sort of clone, or someone one who will not act independently, just someone with similar decison making skills, intellect and demenor.
Lets hope that the orginal intent of the voters of IL are keeped in mind in the selection process.
Smell the Change ™
Politic is a game of partisanship, it has been such and it will remain such. I trusted the wisdom of President elected Obama to chose the right person for his successor. No one should question that. I hope the Governor of Illinois follows thru!
i think it would be a great chose.
Man, I think some of the posters here are still stinging from the loss and trying to grab at straws. First and foremost, Valerie Jarrett is an intelligent, qualified and strong candidate for this senate seat and would undoubtedly be an excellent senator for the state. Second this isn't partisanship or cronyism, after all the people of the state elected Obama and therefor should get a similarly minded replacement. Finally who exactly should the Governor pick to make you happy, a republican? That would just be betraying the voters.
Here's what we know
She is bright, level-headed, calm-under-fire, saavy, well connected.
Illinois could do a whole lot worse than to have this woman as it's next Senator.
If the Republican's named Sarah Palin for VP, Valeri Jarrett should be a slam dunk for Senator ....
If we trust this man's leadership and decision making ability enough to elect him President, I would think we would trust his choice as replacement for his Senate seat. This is not a man who surrounds himself with advisors or friends who are not competent. That's what the past eight years have been – let's move on.
You know, I think I understand why the Republicans are so horrified a President would appoint his friends – a name just occurred to me – Michael Brown. Now there's a Republican who did a good job!
What most of America does not know, at least not for sure, is the depth and breath of Barack Obama's brilliance, strength of character, and integrity. He is not the typical politician.
I realize there will always be those who don't like him which is understandable. Not all the people even loved Jesus Christ despite His life of good works.
To all the naysayers who are still spewing negative diatribes, I'm reminded of the lyrics from a James Brown tune..."just sit back and watch (him) work."
keep up the good work mr o president popotus thank you sr !!!!! nice choice on any one yuo want im sure they will be like you in thinking... james
She's a wonderful choice – I hope and pray that she gets his seat! He'll need people who won't be jockeying to make a name for themselves by opposing him on different bills, etc. God's blessings to her!
And what will you say if Palin appoints herself to Stevens' seat when he gets kicked out the the Senate? Anybody want to rant and rave about the unfairness of that?
"Funny so far he's picking all white people.."
-Bobo
Is he suppose to be picking all minorities or something? So funny how people thought a half black/half white president meant a entirely new black or minority government.. wrong.
NO CHANGE FOR SOME OF THE BLOGS THAT ARE POSTED DARN IT HASN'T BEEN A WEEK AND PEOPLE ARE GRIPING ALREADY. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT EVERYTHING SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. HHMM I WONDER IF MCCAIN WAS ELECTED TO BE PRESIDENT WOULD THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLAINING NOW WILL STILLBE GRIPING. ARROGANT, IMPATIENT JUST FULL OF THEMSELVES WELL YOU KNOW WHAT WHY DON'T YOU MOVE ABROAD THAT WAY YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING HERE IN THE STATES. VERY SELFISH SELF CENTER HUMAN BEINGS. HOW SAD 🙁