President Obama's 'Gatekeeper' Leaves White House

The chief of staff is one of the most powerful positions in the White House. Emanuel, known for his colorful language and larger-than-life personality, represented the Chicago area in the U.S. House of Representatives and has always talked about one day becoming mayor of the Midwestern city. 

Rumors that Emanuel might depart the White House came in September when longtime Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced he would not seek reelection.

President Obama, who lived in Chicago before moving to Washington, has said Emanuel would be an excellent mayor.

Senior adviser Peter Rouse will act as his interim chief of staff until after next month's midterm elections, when the president will likely choose a permanent replacement..

Overseeing the Oval Office

	Acting as a senior adviser to the president and managing a staff of thousands is a job that demands round the clock attention.

The chief of staff is the highest-ranking member ofthe Executive Office of the President (EOP), which consists of the president’s closest advisers and nearly 2,000 support staff.

It’s the job of the chief of staff to act as a “gatekeeper” and manage the president’s schedule. The chief of staff also acts as “chief negotiator” with members of Congress and political groups to help implement the president’s agenda.

While in the West Wing, Emanuel helped the president pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the stimulus plan), financial reform and a far-reaching health care reform bill.

The role of the chief of staff differs from president to president. Andrew Card, President George W. Bush’s first chief of staff, was not as visible as Karl Rove, a senior adviser and major force behind Bush’s political career.

Typical time for turnover in a presidency

	John Steelman became Harry S. Truman's chief of staff in 1946. He was the first chief of staff to serve a sitting U.S. president.

Emanuel leaves just shy of the two-year mark, which is about the average tenure of most chiefs of staff. The average term of service for a chief of staff is two-and-a-half years. John Steelman--chief of staff for Harry Truman--is the only one to remain in his position for an entire presidential term.

In recent weeks, the Obama administration has seen three top-level officials depart the White House.

“This is not that unusual after two years in an administration. It's kind of a normal time for people to have turnover,” says Michael Gerson, a Washington Post columnist.

'What happens next?

	President Obama has tough decsions to make in regard to who he wants to head his staff. It's a decision that has implications on how his administration is viewed publicly.

While Emanuel returns to Chicago to mobilize acampaign for the February mayoral election, President Obama will find a permanent replacement. Much will depend on whether he will be dealing with a friendly Democratic majority in Congress or a confrontational Republican majority after the November midterm elections.

Candidates on the short-list for the spot include Rouse, Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and Vice President Joe Biden's Chief of Staff Ron Klain. A longer list of possible candidates for the post includes current CIA Director Leon Panetta (a former Clinton chief of staff), former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota or current Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

Whoever ends up in the position will continue to push forth the president's agenda, trying to build a strong and concise political message as Barack Obama prepares for run for reelection in the 2012 presidential race.