For all the talk about Rahm Emanuel reaching for the “eject” button, the fiery White House chief of staff isn’t leaving in the immediate future — and could serve well into 2011, according to people close to him.

“It’s the opinion in the top levels of the White House that Rahm is going to be here longer than many people think,” said a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity…

Emanuel is leaving, but his departure date has proved to be profoundly elastic. Friends and co-workers said he vacillates from day to day, sometimes minute to minute. He might leave in December after the midterms; or he might stay until next summer, depending on whether Daley runs or President Barack Obama asks him to stick around, they said…

One possible candidate — deputy chief of staff Jim Messina, Emanuel’s political go-to guy — is likely to play a major role in Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign and is expected to move to Chicago sometime next year.