by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
President Obama appears to understand the value of cleaning house. After letting go one of his top economic advisor, Lawrence Summers, Obama saw the departure his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. He is also expected to make major changes in the National Security Council over the next year. By losing some of the baggage of the last two years, the president is presenting a restructured slate to energize Democratic voters and prepare for a Congress that will look dramatically different after the November elections.
Obama's interim replacement for Rahm Emmanuel, Pete Rouse, is the right person for the job at this point. He understands the culture of the Senate, which is going to be critical as the Obama administration starts to find ways to pass piecemeal legislation to keep campaign promises. With the Democratic majority likely to be gone after the November elections, the president needs a plan.
The Chief of Staff is arguably the most powerful person in the White House next to the president. He/she makes the president's schedule, decides who gets to meet with him and serves as his gatekeeper. For people of color, a person like Rahm Emanuel can be very dangerous, since there are some in Washington who feel that Rahm could care less about black and brown communities.
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