Emanuel all but certain to run for Chicago mayor, sources say
(CNN) - Three Democratic sources close to Rahm Emanuel tell CNN that the White House chief of staff informed senior colleagues he is all but certain to run for mayor of Chicago, and will leave the White House to take the final exploratory steps.
Close associates are already building a campaign team according to sources.
An announcement by Emanuel is expected to be scheduled for Friday, sources said.
One of the sources, a prominent Democrat close to the White House chief of staff, told CNN, "We see nothing that will stop a run. But you don't announce a campaign for mayor of Chicago in Washington, D.C. You leave and go home and finish your business there."
The second source said Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg's research of a possible mayoral run for Emanuel was "very positive. He has some obvious things to deal with, but it was very encouraging."
Asked what the potential issues were, the source said "nothing you wouldn't expect. Just reminding people Chicago always was before Washington."
Assuming there is no hitch - and none is expected - longtime Obama adviser Pete Rouse is in line to be tapped as interim chief of staff, two of the sources said.
All of the sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the White House personnel turnover and the campaign planning.
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Rahm Emanuel's pending departure is the lead-off topic for CNN's John King and Bob Costantini.
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Goodbye you will not be missed and don't let the door hit you on the way out. The rest of this white house will soon be following in 2012.
Hello i also believe in unfinished business, one should be in the correct area at the time of electional runs and i also believe that all should be included in these close knitted decisions processes it is clear that patience and professionalismis pertiant for a stronger chicago.
Like Detroit, the Windy City continues to elect a certain brand of "politicians," only to find too many of them in jail or disgraced before the end of their term. Whether in office or the pokey, the taxpayers foot their bill. With the likes of Emanuel, it's not exactly comforting to know that Chicago Politics as we know it will stay the course.
The people of Chicago need someone who would be right for all & Rahm Emanuel I feel would keep the same old political game going on.
Great. Just what Chicago needs. The same "Hope" and "Change" B. Hussein Obama brought to Washington. Seriously Rahm, let it go.
When Obama was elected president, his name was gold encrusted with diamonds.
Now his name is solid political poison from which his staff is not running but sprinting.
Rham Emanuel expected to be governor of Chicago, in spite of what voters think.
How about leaving the country? He is a foreign SPY! He's also an idf terrorist. How the hell can you have a spy in the white house? Oh yeah that's right obama is a traitor.
There is no way he will win Chicago.
He has no chance
TYT Army is too strong.
You know things are going all wrong for obama when even his chief of staff is jumping ship. Ready to take back congress in november!!
oh just what we need! ANOTHER OBAMA CROONIE RUNNING A MAJOR CITY,SOUNDS LIKE MORE OF THE SAME OL SAME OL.
good by we wont miss you
One more of the Chicago gansters jumping ship – amazing how many can see the handwriting on the wall – Obama and his corrupt ways are doomed and his cronies can see it!
A cop out for Obama trying to replace his failed administration.
good – that's one less vile zionist support gone
He's got a look on his face that says "Should I run for mayor of Chicago, or should I go back to my true passion....ballet.?"
The rats are leaving the sinking ship. Nov. 2nd is gonna be SO much fun! 🙂
Good riddance..........can you take your boss with you??
Hurry up and leave so your mayoral hopes can be crushed. What a smug and pretentious individual.
We've known this for weeks. Does anyone still care?
Why is this front page news? Okay, you have been reporting about Rahm's impending departure for several days now. We get it. CNN clearly has a politically biased agenda (like we didn't know). You put the Hamas interview at midnight yesterday on your website when no one is likely to read it – a story is ginormous proportions that will effect Mideast and World peace. Yet you value Rahm's departure as a headline when it's "so yesterday". We get it. Really. You can stop now. What next? Rahm's pink toe jammed against his bed? I'm leaving CNN and so should all of you.
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
I think it's safe to say you don't leave a high level position at the White House unless you're pretty darn sure you're going to get the mayor job. This is "fixed" politics at it's finest "in your face" moment.