WASHINGTON D.C. - Following President Obama's announcement, Rahm Emanuel stepped to the microphone one last time to bid the man he called his boss and his friend goodbye.
Emanuel said while he will miss his friends and staff at the White House, he is looking forward to the new challenges of running for mayor of Chicago.
"Needless to say, this is a bittersweet day for me too. On the one hand, I am excited to be headed home to Chicago, which is the greatest city in the greatest country in the world. I'm energized by the prospect of new challenges, and eager to see what I can do to make our hometown even greater. These are unprecedented and great times in Chicago. Mr. President, the Chicago Bears are three and zero." (laughter)
"It has been a profound privilege to work for and with you, Mr. President. I've watched you confront some of the toughest challenges of our time. And you've done it with unfailing grace and intelligence and courage. You have the guts to make the tough calls that stopped the free fall that saved our country from the second great depression. You taken on some of the most powerful interest in this town to stand up for the American people."
White House Senior Advisor Pete Rouse will replace Emanuel as White House Chief of Staff.
The president is expected to name a permanent replacement after the mid-term elections.