Rahm Emanuel Fights Back Rumors He's Headed for Chicago Mayor's Bid

Appearing on MSNBC, Emanuel said that he is committed to staying with the administration through 2010. 

"Yes, I'm staying," he said, answering the question about his future head-on. 

"Listen, first of all, as I said, over the weekend, (Chicago Mayor) Rich Daley is a very, very dear friend of mine. Two is, I think he is a great mayor of a great city. Three, I would hope he seeks re-election, because I want him to continue to be a great mayor. And four, the reason I left Congress to join the president is because I think this is a historic time with great challenges and I was pleased to get offered to do this job," he said.

Daley, who has held the office since 1989, is up for re-election in 2011, unless he decides not to seek a seventh term. Emanuel has repeatedly been eyed as a potential successor.