Obama fills key White House post

President-elect Barack Obama has named llinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel to serve him as chief of staff.

Choosing Emanuel – a key member of the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives – was one of Obama’s first decisions after becoming president-elect in Tuesday’s election.

In a statement today, Obama said his new chief’s experience in the White House, the private sector and Congress “have given Rahm deep insights into the challenging economic issues that will be front and centre for our administration”.

He thanked his Chicago friend for “once again answering his country’s call”.

Emanuel accepted the job after struggling over family and political considerations. By moving into a top White House job for a second time, Emanuel will have to put aside hopes of becoming speaker of the lower chamber.

Hoping to blunt partisan blowback from Republicans in Congress, Emanuel’s statement declared: “I want to say a special word about my Republican colleagues, who serve with dignity, decency and a deep sense of patriotism. We often disagree, but I respect their motives. Now is a time for unity, and Mr President-elect, I will do everything in my power to help you stitch together the frayed fabric of our politics, and help summon Americans of both parties to unite in common purpose.”

Emanuel was a key figure in the administration of former President Bill Clinton, where he was known for his blunt management style. His selection is a shift in tone for Obama, who chose more low-key leadership for his presidential campaign.

Emanuel’s quick rise to a party leadership position in the House underlines his political acumen, and his choice by Obama points to the president-elect’s preparations to move quickly on getting his legislative agenda through Congress. Emanuel will carry a major role in facilitating and selling Obama’s plans.

Other White House officials were also being lined up, including Robert Gibbs as the likely pick for press secretary, said several Obama aides. Gibbs has been Obama’s long-time spokesman and confidant and was at Obama’s side from his 2004 Senate campaign through the long days on the presidential campaign trail.

Obama was working in Chicago today where he received his first presidential-style intelligence briefing before moving into the White House in 10 weeks.

He planned his first public appearance since his presidential victory for tomorrow – a meeting with economic advisers to discuss the nation’s financial troubles, which Americans listed as their top concern on election day. Obama plans to talk to the news media tomorrow afternoon after the meeting, aides said.

He and his wife, Michelle, will visit the White House on Monday at the invitation of President George W Bush, aides said.

His new government faces massive challenges both at home and abroad, as evidence made clear on the first days after his historic victory over Republican John McCain.

The US stock market greeted his elevation to the pinnacle of American power by plunging nearly 500 points yesterday on more dire news about an economy in the throes of its worst crisis since the 1930s Great Depression. It fell further today.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin sounded off as well, with President Dmitry Medvedev declaring: “Mechanisms must be created to block mistaken, egotistical and sometimes simply dangerous decisions of certain members of the international community” – an apparent reference to the US under Bush.

Medvedev issued the stark challenge even as he threatened to erect missiles along the Polish border if the Obama administration were to go forward with plans laid out by the Bush administration to create a missile shield in the Eastern Europe.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also congratulated Obama today – the first time the country’s leader has offered such wishes to a US president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ahmadinejad congratulated the Democrat on “attracting the majority of voters in the election”.

In the message, Ahmadinejad also said he hoped Obama will “use the opportunity to serve the (American) people and leave a good name” during his term in office.

Iran and US have had no formal diplomatic relations since 1979 and the hostage drama when militant Iranian students held 52 Americans captive 444 days.

The Associated Press, meanwhile, declared Obama the winner in North Carolina today, a symbolic triumph in a state that has not voted for a Democrat in more than a generation.

North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes brings Obama’s total to 364 – nearly 100 more than necessary to win the White House. Missouri is the only state that remains too close to call.

Obama’s win in North Carolina was the first for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976.

Obama planned to stay home through the weekend, with a blackout on news announcements so that he and his staff can get some rest after a gruelling campaign and the emotional rush of their victory.

He is planning a trip to Hawaii in December to get away with his family before their move to the White House – and to honour his grandmother, who died on Sunday at her home there.