WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After mulling a bid for the number three job in the House Democratic leadership, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Il, opted instead Thursday to make a run for the chairmanship of the House Democratic Caucus.

Emanuel, who is largely credited as the mastermind behind the Democrats winning control of the House, had briefly entertained the idea of running for House majority whip, but chose to pursue the chairmanship, which is one rung lower on the leadership ladder.

Even before the results in Tuesday's election came in, Democrats began to speculate that Emanuel would run for a senior leadership post. But a race for whip would have pitted Emanuel against current Caucus Chairman Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, who is a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Emanuel has been criticized by some members of the CBC for what they perceive as overly aggressive tactics.

"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," Emanuel stated in a release from his office.

A Democratic source says that presumptive House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, "has been discouraging Rahm from running." This source added that centrists and many of the incoming freshmen were supportive of electing Emanuel as whip, but there was concern that a public fight with the CBC could highlight divisions in the caucus when the focus is on a message of party unity.

The netroots credit Dean's 50-state-strategy, the centrists credit Rahm's effort to bring in conservative Democrats. The fight is far from over even for the Democratic Party.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}