Obama: Emanuel would be 'terrific' Chicago mayor

[September 09, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says his chief of staff would make a "terrific mayor" of Chicago. But Obama says he expects Rahm Emanuel to hold off on deciding whether to enter the race until after the midterm elections.

Emanuel has long expressed interest in running for Chicago mayor one day. The job came open when longtime Mayor Richard M. Daley announced his retirement this week.

In an interview, Obama told ABC that his chief of staff has got a lot to do, and when Emanuel has a job to do, "he focuses on the job in front of him."

Emanuel represented Chicago in Congress before going to work for Obama.

The interview was taped Wednesday for broadcast Thursday.

[Associated Press]

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