Biden Takes on Emanuel's Role at White House

With Rahm Emanuel gone from the White House to run for mayor of Chicago, Vice President Joe Biden is stepping into his role as President Barack Obama’s liaison to Congress. “In the absence of Emanuel, who formerly served as Obama’s chief of staff and as a House member, no one in the West Wing matches Biden when it comes to his ties on the Hill, depth of knowledge on how Congress works and having the members’ trust on both sides of the aisle,” Politico states.

Biden played a major role in the tax negotiations and is doing the same on the START arms treaty with Russia. On taxes, he read liberal Democrats the riot act. “The vice president said, ‘This is the deal, take it or leave it,’” Rep. Henry Waxman tells Politico.