Obama Offers Rahm Emanuel Job of White House Chief of Staff

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

ABC News has learned that President-elect Obama has offered the White House chief of staff job to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill.

Emanuel, a knowledgeable source tells ABC News, has not yet given his answer. The sharp-tongued, sharp-elbowed, keenly intelligent veteran of the Clinton White House is said to have ambitions to some day be Speaker of the House. But he also has a keen sense of "duty."

Today on "Good Morning America" ABC's George Stephanopoulos reported Obama likes the fact that Emanuel "knows policy, knows politics, knows Capitol Hill" and has told associates that Emanuel would "have his back."

There is a tentative plan to announce Obama's chief of staff this week.

Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/11/obama-o...

[BOSSHOG]

1. I think that would be a good choice

Rahm is a disciplinary taskmaster, a trait needed in that job. A traffic cop with a big fucking sign.

[PassingFair]

6. He is a MAJOR hawk.

I can't stomach the guy, BUT,
he IS from Obama's home state.

Not like we get to call the shots, anyway.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

23. methinks he will do a fine job.

it was not HIS victory, nor HIS election. It was Obama's. Rahm is enough of a pro to know the difference of pursuing his own agenda vs. pursuing his instructions he gets from his President.

I don't like him, I didn't trust him re: his DLC activities, but he is effective, smart, and takes no prisoners. There will be NO LEAKS with him as chief of staff. There will be NO BACKSTABBING, because with rahm, any knives will be in your face, not your back.

[autorank]

75. He didn't help in 2006 - his crew did nothing on Iraq but ...

... the guy is highly effective and fearless in the trenches. He served Clinton well and he never
gives up. Take him out of the House, one less hawk but better yet, he serves Obama's policies and he's a great. Very smart move, I think. Hope I'm right

[glowing]

2. Obama wants Emanuel where he can see him.. he's swarmy that one is.

[tigereye]

35. that's a pretty good read on that -

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. I'm sure this is the first of many centrist Democrats that he will appoint to positions where

he can see them.

[rhett o rick]

80. I think President Lincoln did that also. nm

[Dhalgren]

3. And the DLC is back in the West Wing!

Didn't take long...

[Hawkeye-X]

7. And Rahm will be unable to create policy from the West Wing without Obama's OK.

So it's all moot

[Dhalgren]

16. "You betcha!" Wink, wink...

[jonnyblitz]

19. I doubt Obama differs much from the DLC on the issues.

so it is moot for THAT reason.

[Freddie Stubbs]

50. He ran as a Bill Clinton-like moderate

Why did people expect him to govern differently?

[xxqqqzme]

52. my first thought as well.

the dlc will have an inside track. Kiss Howard Dean good-bye as DNC chair.

[defendandprotect]

55. Right .. and I would have hoped Howard Dean Would have been PROMOTED

into administration, rather than this pr---!!

[Wilms]

4. :( n/t

[redqueen]

5. Ah geez.

I don't trust that guy. I don't think he knows politics well either. Wasn't he cheerleading against Dean's 50-state strategy right along with Carville?

Ugh.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. So far

the liberal wing of the party is not fairing well.

This will reassert center-right Democrats in power, despite the fact that they have fucked it up repeatedly.

Kay Hagan was interviewed on NPR this morning and twice re-iterated that she would support ideas from Republicans as well as Democrats. This is the Lieberman Doctrine at work.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. Good idea.

Obama is gonna need a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter in the position to slap the bluedogs in line and keep them there, They are a little too full of themselves. Emanuel, for the little regard I hold him in, is just the person for that job.

[bemildred]

10. Let's wait and see what President Obama wants to do before we start critiquing his tactics. nt

[defendandprotect]

32. Excuse me: This is an opening move -- the first - and rewards DLC --!!

for what ...??

Moves party to right --!!

Bad opening move -- !!!

[bemildred]

47. President Obama wants to be President for all americans.

One presumes that includes the DLC. I don't like Rahm any more than anyone else, but I am not ready to start criticizing President Obama's (I just like saying that) decisions based on rumour on the first day after the election.

[defendandprotect]

54. While being president of even the right-wing and DLC . . .

it doesn't require Obama give them leadership positions -- !!

When such suggestions appear - even the scared day after the election -

they should be honestly commented upon, as I've done.

[defendandprotect]

67. Can't edit, but that should read "sacred," of course ...

[bemildred]

69. Well, you can do what you like, with my complete approval.

I have no illusions about President Obama, and I think we have only begun the business of taking back our government, which would take generation or two in the best of cases, so I'm not willing to go ballistic over this.

[defendandprotect]

70. If you want to try to save the planet . . . we don't have a lot of time --

That would mean an administration getting truth out to public re GW--

truly educating/informing public on ALL issues --

and from here we all need to begin support for and help streghten third parties...

in our own best interests ---!!!

[bemildred]

78. Yeah, we better get right on it. nt

[Dogmudgeon]

11. I have no doubt ...

... that we'll be calling Obama a "TRAITOR!" and a "WHORE!" within a few days.

And can "MURDERER!" be far behind?

--p!

[Robbien]

12. These leaks to the press have to be coming from Rahm's office

There have been no "leaks" to the press from Obama throughout the campaign. Now all of a sudden there is a "leak".

This type of underhanded garbage is exactly what one can expect from this smarmy politician.

[kenfrequed]

18. hmm

So Rahm leaks that he is being asked by Obama to get this position in order to try to elbow his way in? I am hopeful that this is the scenario.

[NashVegas]

29. Well, If The Story Is True

Part of Barack's pet snake's duties will include strategic leaks.

[BunkerHill24]

13. I am so disappointed with this pick......in fact am flabbergasted...n/t

[Le Taz Hot]

14. Shit!!!!!

n/t

[comtec]

15. I'm mixed to be honest, we NEED sharp reps in congress

Between PRESIDENT Obama, and Vice President Biden, we've lost TWO GOOD Senators from teh Senate.
Can we afford to loose more as PRESIDENT Obama fills his cabinet?

Don't get me wrong, I want him to get the BEST people he can (Al Franken in ari fleisher's former position? IF he looses)
but can we afford to have the congress raided? we have a relatively SLIM majority, even though it's WELL ABOVE 50%
but CAN we afford to loose capable congress critters? One's with influence?

Honestly im GLAD Hilary didn't win, because she's FAR MORE useful to us in her current seat in the Congress!

While capable, as a senator PRESIDENT Obama (I like writing that) still had limited influence and power, where Senator Clinton's influence is stronger, and always increasing.

Right now we NEED POWERFUL Dems in Congress to get ANYTHING through, which is why i hope PRESIDENT Obama pulls people from congress sparingly.

[12string]

21. don't get mad

but the word is lose,not loose.

[comtec]

51. spell check: FAIL

thanks. Type too fast at work and only look for red underlines LOL
lose isnt technically misspelled, just... wrong LOL

[GinaMaria]

72. that"s the buzz in my building

a lot of people here like RE and don't want to lose him to a chief of staff position, but they also support this because it is what Obama needs. Are we from the same neighborhood?

[comtec]

84. It'd be nice to think so ;) (America)

But I'm in The Netherlands (Voting in CA)
This all has me worried because we JUST got congress back, solidly. What's left of gop control, are the grizzled veterans who know their stuff, and have a LOT of influence.
It may be 43 gopers, but they're still the powerful minority.

[GinaMaria]

90. RE can manage these seasoned old timers

from what I'm learning the COS position has a lot influence. Our Dem Gov in Illinois will get to replace both Obama in the senate and RE in the house. Don't know who he might choose. A couple names floating around.... Duckworth and Jackson Jr. Exciting times we live in.

sounds like RE is aggressive and commanding. This might be what is needed to get and keep Obama's aides aligned to their mission.

We are all neighbors when you think about it.

[MannyGoldstein]

17. "Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer"

I'm hoping that this is that.

That being said, Emanuel was the best-behaved Clintonite during the campaign.

[Romulox]

44. So, by that reasoning, why not DICK CHENEY as COS? nt

[MannyGoldstein]

53. Good Point

But Cheney's a simpler enemy: he's an enemy that admits he's an enemy. The DLC is an enemy that claims it's a friend.

There's a reason why uniformed combatants go into POW camps, while spies are shot.

[scarface2004]

20. that s the chicago way!!

they put one of yours in the hospital...you put one of theirs in the morgue!!!

[Metta]

22. This is a bad choice. This guy's a cold, heartless snake.

You just have to watch him in action.

[Le Taz Hot]

24. I was/am a Deaniac.

I watched him in action, alright. Pelosi and Reid will be safe.

[Liberal Dose]

25. I do not trust Emanuel. He was against Howard Dean's 50 state strategy and refused to acknowledge

that it worked. I do not like him. No sir, not one bit. I also do not like Rahm's "shining star" Harold Ford. Can't trust either of them.

[WriteDown]

26. Way to ruin a great day.

Ugh, still hungover, but didn't need this.

[harmonicon]

27. oh... sorry.... just threw up in my mouth a little there... (nt)

[AtomicKitten]

28. This is more of a buddy from Chicago thing than an ideological thing.

[tigereye]

37. I think a President needs a tough Chief of Staff to keep things from getting

out of hand. Maybe he sees Emmanuel that way.

[AtomicKitten]

42. Emanuel is rumored to be a pitbull (no lipstick please!) in that regard

so I agree he may just be perfect for the job of COS (and not writing policy).

[Romulox]

45. Cronyism IS "an ideological thing". nt

[AtomicKitten]

49. yes and no - I think Emanuel will be a "useful a-hole" in this post.

As long as Obama keeps the DLC's grubby paws off policy, we'll be okay.

[Romulox]

57. Austan Goolsby, Obama's Chief Economic Advisor thru the primaries, is a DLCer.

Their hands are very much on policy at this point.

[AtomicKitten]

58. the point is Emanuel as COS will not deal with policy in that position

I understand your apprehension, but I'm going to wait until Obama assembles his team to govern before criticizing it en masse prematurely.

[Mudoria]

30. Excellent choice

[mdmc]

31. beat

[Mari333]

33. UGH!!! not good.

chickenhawk warmonger. pfffft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel

'/Emanuel supported the October 2002 joint Congressional resolution authorizing the Iraq War, differentiating himself from all nine other Democratic members of the Illinois Congressional delegation (Sen. Richard Durbin, Reps. Bobby Rush, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Bill Lipinski, Luis Gutiérrez, Danny K. Davis, Jan Schakowsky, Jerry Costello and Evans) elected in 2002.<14>/'

[defendandprotect]

34. Disgusting -- !!!

[Cherchez la Femme]

36. Biden as VP, Emmanuel as COS

and look at all the excuses from progressives!

We got what we wanted, a Dem as POTUS;
but face facts, it is more than obvious Obama is NO progressive (as if his & Biden's mealymouth-to-negative proclamations on equal rights for gays wasn't a huge clue). The sooner you accept that the easier it'll be to handle.

Sadly, nothings perfect.


I know Hillary is DLC and more conservative and so, right up his alley; but it will be interesting if Obama uses her talent

[Mari333]

38. thank you. n/t

[Critters2]

40. This is why I voted for Edwards in the primaries.

Yeah, he had issues, it turns out. But he was the one true Progressive in the race, and he got no support. This must be what the party wants. Enjoy!!

[Cherchez la Femme]

61. I liked Edwards,

but my top pick was Kucinich -- an absolute, bona fide progressive

Edit: in every way.

[brentspeak]

39. Just as disturbing is talk that Obama might tap Lawrence Summers for Treasury

Summers worked side-by-side with Greenspan and Rubin to prevent proper regulation of the derivatives market -- a major reason why our financial system has imploded.

[Mari333]

41. The thought of him surrounding himself with DINOs and DLC

would be a huge blow to progressives. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan want to come home, not be redeployed again. Gay folks have a right to be treated like US citizens.
I pray that he doesnt do a Clinton, and stay in the center . I just hope.

[Critters2]

63. He's ALWAYS been in the center. Where this notion that he's a progressive comes from,

I'll never know. We've elected a centrist. Don't whine when he acts like a centrist!

[brentspeak]

66. The notion that he's a progressive came from

all the thousands of "Obama's the most progressive Democratic candidate" posts inundated on DU during the primary season.

Why would would anyone be excited about electing a centrist?

[rhett o rick]

79. We were excited about ending the reign of horror of the Bush House. nm

[tomp]

81. the powell/obama mutual endorsement didn't tip you off?

i knew it was over then.

[amandabeech]

62. This is the reason that I have had a hard time getting excited about Obama.

Don't get me wrong, I went out an phone-banked as much as I could the past couple of weeks, and, of course, I voted for him.

However, he needs more progressive, labor and jobs oriented economic advisers to counteract the Summerses and Furmans of the world.

For someone who worked with laid-off Steelworkers, he sure seems to like the folks who cheered their lay-off.

[Romulox]

43. This ain't "change"--this is more of the same. nt

[Doctor_J]

46. Oh, noes!!!11!! A DLCer. why did we do all this work?

Come in off the ledge, people. Rahm will be helping to implement Obama's agenda, not the other way around.

[defendandprotect]

65. Like he's been helping Howard Dean --?

Or like how he's been helping corporates ...?

[Critters2]

68. He should've at least considered Howard for COS. nt

[GinaMaria]

73. Would that be considered a promotion to HD?

Just asking because I don't know. Do we need Dean to stay where he is? He's an excellent strategist. Would COS be more administrative? Dean needs to be rewarded, but it should be a reward that he really wants, no?

I may need some info on the COS role. It seems like Dean's scope of influence is broad and global where he is right now. Would COS be a more narrow scope?

[defendandprotect]

77. Dean & health care - end age limits on Medicare - Cabinet postition --

[gulfcoastliberal]

48. What was it that Bill Clinton's mentor & confidant of the elite Carroll Quigley said?

Ah yes:

The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can "throw the rascals out" at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy."...

-From Tragedy and Hope

Edit for spelling

[Pastiche423]

56. It sure din't take long to take the cheer out of the celebration

What a horrible portent to Obama's admistration.

This sucks. BIG ONES!

I will never forgive Rahm for what he did and said about Howard Dean.

I am already cringing on who else he will ask.

1st appointment - FAIL.

[defendandprotect]

59. Offer to Rahm CONFIRMED ...

Rahm Emanuel as WH Chief of Staff. Whaddya think?
by Kagro X
Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 12:09:09 PM PST
By now you've all heard the rumors, and the rumors have turned into solid news reports: Rahm Emanuel has been offered the job of White House Chief of Staff.

There are a couple different ways to evaluate this, of course. Rahm gets mixed reviews around here, to put it mildly, on his record as a member of the House leadership. We know he's a rough-and-tumble type, but he's also shown us a cautious side, as when he resisted for many months in giving his assent to the move to bring contempt of Congress votes against Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten to the House floor.

MORE
http://www.dailykos.com /
short way down

[jjanpundt]

64. I was kinda hoping he'd offer COS to Ploufe, his campaign mgr.

He ran a very tight, on message all the time, team. I'd like to see Gibbs as press secretary.

[Canuckistanian]

71. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

Good move by Obama.

[tavalon]

74. Oh shit!

Couldn't this have waited a few days. I wanted to pretend that the DLC wasn't going to have a stranglehold on this administration for just a few days.

Shit!!!

[smiley_glad_hands]

76. I'd rather havehim close to me and working for me, than in the house. eom

[Truth2Tell]

82. That popping sound you hear in the distance

is the champagne bottles over at AIPAC headquarters.

As for the real power of the COS - it depends enormously on the leadership style of each President. The COS is the gatekeeper and that can be HUGE with a hands-off Prez. With Obama, I think it will be watered down by the strength of his leadership. But it still sucks.

At least he floated RFK Jr. today to try and make us feel better. And it worked

[Behind the Aegis]

86. Oh, and here I thought it was at the "progressive" (LOL) 'headquarters' because....

...they have one more "Zionist" to pin shit on. Who knew?

[Truth2Tell]

88. Yes, poor Likudniks...

so peacelovng, yet always the scapegoats... Poor misunderstood Rahm.

[Behind the Aegis]

91. Poor strawmen, so easily set ablaze.

[marasinghe]

83. thought the family was adopting from the pound?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
>;->
(totally unrelated defense: have taken in 2 pups and a cat off the street)

[lostnfound]

85. I can't stand Rahm, but I trust Obama's judgment. nt

[Igel]

87. Perhaps he can help with the Freddie Mac business.

Having been on its board, and all. Not for long, of course, but for at least a year.

[AmyCamus]

89. Biden, Emanuel, Kerry = Change?

C'mon, Barack you can do better!!