MSNBC is reporting that Rahm Emanuel has accepted the job of chief of staff to President Barack Obama.  I guess Howard Fineman was right that we could "take that to the bank" last night.  

Looks like we've got another vacancy to fill in the wake of this election.  Unlike the Senate seat, Emanuel's successor won't be picked by Blagojevich (who once represented the 5th District himself), but rather through a special election.  Will be fascinating to see who steps up to vie for the seat.

UPDATE: MSNBC seems to be walking this back now. From First Read: "In an email to NBC News, Emanuel spokeswoman Sarah Feinberg denies the reporting that Emanuel has accepted the chief of staff job."