Emanuel, a former Chicago-area congressman, is looking for some essential endorsements: Family members. Family considerations are reportedly a major factor as Emanuel weighs a run.
"White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is expected to step down as soon as this week, perhaps Friday, to explore a run for mayor of Chicago. As an influential component of President Obama's inner circle, Emanuel and his specific skill set — yelling at people, twisting the arms of legislators, Machiavellian thinking, getting 'er done — will be hard to replace. But replaced he must be! And said replacement, at least on an interim basis, is generally expected to be Pete Rouse, currently the deputy chief of staff.
Emanuel may also want to consider history as he decides whether to leave the White House. The chief of staff's job is not a sure pathway to political success. Erskine Bowles, the chief for President Bill Clinton, later lost a pair of bids for a U.S. Senate seat from his native North Carolina.
Hamilton Jordan, top aide to President Jimmy Carter, lost a Georgia Democratic primary for the Senate in 1986.
There is one interesting exception, however: Dick Cheney. After working as Chief of Staff to President Ford, Cheney returned to Wyoming and won election to the U.S. House. He later worked as Defense Secretary and, of course, vice president.
And officials who worked other White House jobs have gone on to political success. Two of Ronald Reagan's political directors, for example, are now governors: Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Mitch Daniels of Indiana.
