Washington: Democratic congressman Rahm Emanuel has accepted the position of chief of staff in Barack Obamas administration. Emanuels decision to accept the crucial job, which controls access to the president, makes him the first senior level official to join the nascent Obama administration, two days after his historic election triumph.

Illinois lawmaker Emanuel, 48,knows Washington inside-out as a veteran of the Clinton White House, and is credited with masterminding the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives in 2006.

"When I was in the White House, I didnt have children. I do know something about the White House, and I do have children now. I have a family," Emanuel said on Thursday. "This is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the centre," John Boehner, the Republican minority leader said.

Robert Gibbs, a top aide to Barack Obama on his campaign and in his Senate office, will be named the White House press secretary, according to Democrat sources. Transition planning is still at an early stage and the job has not been formally offered or accepted.

Gibbs was usually the senior official on Air Obama, the campaign plane. He was was a key strategist in Obamas rapid move to the national stage. Gibbs - a 37-year-old native of Auburn, Ala. - became familiar to viewers during the campaign for his sunny steeliness during frequent appearances on morning shows and A-list cable news programs. The "podium job" makes the White House press secretary instantly famous around the world as the face and voice of Washington.
Source : DNA