Obama's Right-Hand Man

A great piece in the NYT on Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The story is part bio, part descriptor of Emanuel's first week in the toughest job in Washington save for being president. According to the Times:

"Mr. Obama had settled on his fellow Chicagoan to be his chief of staff well before he was elected. He was drawn to Mr. Emanuel’s experience in both the White House and Congress and called him 'the whole package' of political acumen, policy chops and pragmatism. He is also a skilled compromiser. 'He knows there is a time in this business to drop the switchblades and make a deal,' said Representative Adam H. Putnam, Republican of Florida. Mr. Emanuel initially resisted taking the job. He came around after Mr. Obama insisted, saying these were momentous times and that the awesome tasks he faced required Mr. Emanuel’s help. The president-elect also assured Mr. Emanuel that the position would be the functional equivalent of 'a No. 2' or 'right-hand man,' according to a person familiar with their exchanges."