Mayor for Life: Rahmbo's Race for Chicago Mayor

Lots of inside the Beltway chatter over Rahm Emanual's imminent departure from the White House to run for mayor of Chicago. Is this really going to happen?

Although no final decision has been made because of family considerations, ABC News has learned that White House officials are preparing for Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to announce on Friday -- as Congress adjourns for recess -- that he is leaving his post to explore a run for mayor of Chicago.

White House officials expect that President Obama will also name an interim chief of staff, perhaps senior adviser Pete Rouse, at the announcement.

Sources close to Emanuel cautioned that he has yet to pull that last trigger on the decision.

Emanuel's likely departure is not a surprise; his mayoral aspirations are well known.

I can understand that being mayor of Chicago is a valuable f***ing thing and that you don't just walk into Chicago and announce that you are going to run for mayor, but still...do Chicagoans really want to be lorded over by Rahm Emanuel? Are that many of them on the take?

No doubt the proverbial "moneymen and politicos" look at Emanuel and see a guy who will glide effortlessly into the Daley seat. But what does Emanuel have that can appeal to voters, assuming that Chicago voters actually have a say in this?