(CNN) -- U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel will bring a "tough-minded" and "pragmatic" approach to the White House when he becomes President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff, according to people who know the Chicago, Illinois, native.



Rep. Rahm Emanuel has experience in the White House, on Wall Street and on Capitol Hill.



Emanuel, a former top aide to President Clinton, has accepted the position in the new administration, Obama confirmed in a statement Thursday.



"I announce this appointment first because the chief of staff is central to the ability of a president and administration to accomplish an agenda," Obama said. "And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel."



In the job, Emanuel would oversee the White House staff. The chief of staff is usually involved in all the major decisions that the president makes and is responsible for making sure the administration carries out the president's wishes.  Watch Emanuel call himself "fortunate" »



The chief of staff also often is involved in negotiations with congressional leaders when major legislation is under consideration.



Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, called Emanuel: "An excellent choice."



"Rahm knows the Hill. And he knows the White House. He is a brilliant strategic thinker and someone who knows how to get things done," Manley said.



Manley also rejected the idea that Emanuel is a true partisan that could not work with Republicans.



"That's ridiculous. Rahm understands politics is the art of compromise. He's got a deeply held set of views but he also understands to get things done you have to compromise," he said.



After leaving the Clinton White House, Emanuel, 48, was an investment banker on Wall Street and later was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 from a heavily Democratic Chicago district. He quickly rose to become the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House.  Watch what Emanuel brings to the White House »



It is Emanuel's combination of experiences -- plus his strong personal relationship with Obama -- that would make him a strong chief of staff, said CNN political analyst Paul Begala, a fellow Clinton veteran.



"He has spent more time in the White House than President-elect Obama has. That matters a lot. It is a special place with its own rhythms," Begala said.  See who Obama may be considering for his Cabinet »



"But, maybe most importantly, he's got the relationship. He has known Barack and Michelle Obama for a number of years."



Before reports emerged that he had accepted the position, Emanuel told WLS-TV in Chicago that he had to consider the possible impact on his family.  Watch how Obama is starting his transition »



"I have a lot to weigh: the basis of public service, which I have given my life to, a career choice. And most importantly, what I want to do as a parent," Emanuel said in an interview that aired Wednesday.



Emanuel added: "This is not a professional choice. This is a personal choice about what my wife and I want to do for our family, as much as what to do with my career."



Emanuel's at-times blunt approach would ensure the White House runs smoothly for the new president, said Mack McLarty, Clinton's former chief of staff.  Watch as McLarty calls Emanuel an "excellent choice" »



"Rahm is high energy. He's direct. He's a tough-minded pragmatist. So I think the years have been good to him in that regard," McLarty said. "I think the high-energy directness will serve him well.



"Rahm, like a lot of us, made mistakes, but he quickly corrected them."



However, the lawmaker's direct style has ruffled a number of feathers in Washington, and Emanuel is known as one of the toughest partisan fighters on Capitol Hill.



After reports that Emanuel had agreed to be Obama's
Who will be chieft? What has ruffled some feathers on Capitol Hill? Who will be the White House chief of staff? What does the House minority leader call the pick?
Rahm Emanuel the lawmaker's direct style Rep. Rahm Emanuel "excellent choice"
question: Who will be chieft?, answer: Rahm Emanuel | question: What has ruffled some feathers on Capitol Hill?, answer: the lawmaker's direct style | question: Who will be the White House chief of staff?, answer: Rep. Rahm Emanuel | question: What does the House minority leader call the pick?, answer: "excellent choice"