If Barack Obama emerges the victor in the 2008 presidential election, Democrats will need someone to fill the seat he vacates in the Senate. Their man will almost undoubtedly be Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel has been in office since 2003, but came to prominence long before. He made a name for himself as a staffer for Paul Simon’s 1984 campaign for US Senate, securing the position of finance director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1988. By 1991, he had joined the presidential campaign of Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, again as director of finance. It was Emanuel’s insistence that Clinton delay campaigning in New Hampshire to raise more money that allowed the campaign to continue to run television ads in a pitched battle in the Granite State, just as other candidates dropped out as a result of insufficient funds. Clinton rewarded Emanuel’s foresight with a place in his administration. From 1993 until Clinton left the White House in January of 2000, he served first as Assistant to the President in Political Affairs, and then as Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. Emanuel is a favorite among Congressional Democrats. In 2006, he was the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and along with New York Senator Chuck Schumer, was the chief architect in the massive midterm election sweep that gave Democrats control of both houses of Congress. After his success there, he was elevated to Chairman of the Democratic Caucus. It would be hard to imagine a more respected Illinois Democrat than Emanuel. There are those who have served longer, like Reps. Bobby Rush and Danny Davis. But neither has been as influential in as short a period of time. Plus, while a number of Illinois representatives are well known within their individual districts, Emanuel has nationwide recognition- certainly enough to win a statewide election. Emanuel would have to be appointed by Governor Roy Blagojevich, who would almost certainly defer to Obama’s discretion in choosing his successor. Emanuel is said to be on good terms with Obama, despite the fact that Emanuel is close to Obama’s primary opponent, Hillary Clinton. During the hotly contested primary, Emanuel stayed far from the fray, refusing to endorse either candidate and keeping his distance from Clinton’s fundraising efforts in his home state. Of course, Obama’s election would mean Joe Biden’s Delaware seat will need to be filled as well. But that question is a little more straightforward. Biden’s son, Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III, is currently serving as the Attorney General of Delaware. Forget, for a moment, that his father has held the seat continuously since 1972. Still, the younger Biden is probably the strongest candidate for the job. The state’s only representative, Michael Castle, is a Republican. The governor- Ruth Ann Minner- is term limited, and at 73 years old, is likely to retire without seeking higher office. She’ll almost certainly be replaced by the Democratic State Treasurer, Jack Markell. Realistically, Beau Biden is one of the only statewide officeholders who would be reasonably considered for the job. But add in the incredible name recognition, and the 39 year old looks to be off on a long Senate career of his own.
