Emanuel, Rahm Israel, 1959–, American politician, b. Chicago, grad. Sarah Lawrence College (B.A., 1981), Northwestern Univ. (M.A., 1985). A seasoned Democratic power broker and skilled dealmaker known for his tough, assertive style, Emanuel began his political career with an Illinois consumer rights group and later worked in a senatorial campaign. Finance director of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, he subsequently served (1993–99) in the White House, becoming a senior adviser. In 2002 Emanuel won a seat in the House of Representatives; he served three terms and headed the House Democratic Caucus (2007–9). He resigned in 2009 to become President Barack Obama's chief-of-staff. In 2010 he left the White House to run for mayor of Chicago, winning the office in 2011; he won a second term in 2015.
See his The Plan: Big Ideas for America (with B. Reed, 2006); N. Bendavid, The Thumpin': How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to Be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution (2007).
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