WP: Rahm Emanuel mulling Obama chief of staff offer.

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Some Democrats have warned that Emanuel’s take-no-prisoners style could hurt Obama. But the president-elect wants to move fast to push his legislative agenda through the Democratic-controlled Congress — and Emanuel knows the Hill and power politics as well as anyone in town.

“Obama wants a bad cop, so he can be good cop 90 percent of the time,” an adviser said.

Emanuel, who at 49 is two years older than Obama, is the Democratic Caucus chairman, the fourth-highest-ranking member of the House Democratic leadership.

Emanuel was known for his hard-nosed tactics as a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton. After leaving the White House, he returned to Chicago as an investment bank managing director.

Friends of both men say that Obama likes Emanuel, and that Emanuel would be totally loyal. And Obama respects Emanuel’s knowledge of Washington, including the legislative process, and his reputation for getting things done.

Emanuel's first big assignment in Clinton's White House was helping pass the North American Free Trade Agreement, which riled many Democrats. He was a consistent voice for anti-crime measures, welfare reform and other initiatives that pushed against liberal orthodoxy.

In his personal views, he's a centrist, and despite a combative political style, he has good relations with many congressional Republicans, such as Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.).

Posted by Laura at November 5, 2008 11:56 AM