Rahm Seeks Caucus Chair Post; Clyburn Favorite For Whip

House Democrats avoided a potentially combative and divisive leadership race today, as Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) decided to seek the post of caucus chair, rather than run for whip.

As of today, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) is the favorite for the whip post, the third highest leadership post for the majority party. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) is considering a bid.

Emanuel: "As the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, I have spent the last twenty months committed to recruiting and electing candidates in every region of this country and helping bring unity to our party. Now, we have the responsibility to carry through on the commitment of change and progress we made to the American people. And I hope to help meet that responsibility as Chair of the Democratic Caucus, under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi. I seek this post, and not any other, because I believe what we need now is a unified Democratic caucus, focused squarely on the business of moving this country forward."

The Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet writes that "Clyburn had been laying the groundwork for the position in the event of a Democratic takeover. He made his bid official on Wednesday. Clyburn is an African-American and is running for the whip post with the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus Emanuel realized that there was no need to set up what could have been an inflammatory confrontation with Clyburn and his backers in going after the Whip job."

Rep. John Larson (D-CT) is running with Emanuel to be vice chair of the caucus.

UPDATE: Since Emanuel and Larson announced their joint bid for Caucus Chair and Vice Chair, other members reported by Roll Call to be mulling the Vice Chair position have decided not to enter the race, including Reps. Mike Ross (D-AR) and Hilda Solis (D-CA).