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Emanuel says he'll give up House seat on Friday

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor December 29, 2008 03:25 PM

Rahm Emanuel, the incoming White House chief of staff, formally tendered his resignation from his US House seat today.

He told embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich that he will step down on Friday. Blagojevich has five days to set a special election to fill the seat.

The governor, of course, has sole authority -- at least for now -- to fill the US Senate seat that President-elect Barack Obama vacated, but has been charged with trying to sell it as part of a wide-ranging corruption case.

In the letter to Blagojevich, first reported by the Chicago press, Emanuel promised to go to work everyday in the White House by keeping in mind the "stories of working families and senior citizens" whom he has met while a congressman.

In an odd turn of phrase suggesting camaraderie with a politician who could soon be impeached, Emanuel also wrote, "As sons of immigrants to this country, you and I have a deep appreciation for the opportunities America provides to those who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for the children....Over the past few years, our government in Washington has lost sight of that principle by catering to the wealthiest Americans and powerful special interests -- leaving middle-class Americans to struggle with rising health care costs, reduced pensions, and a collapsing economy. The recent election was a clarion call for a change in direction, so that we can recapture values that have made our nation a beacon of hope and opportunity."

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I wish Obama would get rid of this scumbag. He brings him down and makes him look suspicious, as if Obama were a straight-A student hanging out with meth addicts.

Posted by Pelagie December 29, 08 04:21 PM
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