Emanuel accepts chief of staff offer

(CNN) -- Rep. Rahm Emanuel has accepted Barack Obama's offer to be White House chief of staff, according to a Democratic aide.

The Office of the Chief of Staff oversees and coordinates activities and communication among various departments of the administration.

Emanuel helped lead Democrats to majority control of the House in 2006. He was elected to the House in 2002 and is the fourth-highest-ranking member of the chamber's Democratic leadership.

He also worked on President Clinton's first presidential campaign and served as a White House adviser to Clinton.

Emanuel had earlier said that he was honored to be considered for the position, but had a lot to think about on a personal level.

"I have a lot to weigh: the basis of public service, which I've given my life to, a career choice. But, most importantly, what I want to do as a parent," he told Chicago's WLS-TV in an interview that aired Wednesday.
Obama is also expected to announce his press secretary pick, as early as Thursday afternoon, and observers believe it will be Robert Gibbs, the communications director for his presidential campaign.

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