Stephen Zunes, Pambazuka News, 13 November 2008
I had really wanted to celebrate Barack Obama’s remarkable victory for a day or so before becoming cynical again. I really did.
And yet, less than 24 hours after the first polls closed, the president-elect chose as his chief of staff – perhaps the most powerful single position in any administration – Rahm Emanuel, one of the most conservative Democratic members of Congress.
The chief of staff essentially acts as the president’s gatekeeper, determining with whom he has access for advice and analysis. Obama is known as a good listener who has been open to hearing from and considering the perspectives of those on the Left as well as those with a more centrist or conservative perspective. How much access he will actually have as president to more progressive voices, however, is now seriously in question.