If you dislike Rahm Emanuel, why not send a message to Obama?

[mirror wall]

You can send one to him at http://change.gov/page/s/contact

I just did, since the appointment of Rahm has put a serious damper on my hopegasm. Here's the text of my letter, please feel free to use it in its whole or parts of it if you like:

To whom it may concern,

Like many other Americans, I wept with relief and joy when Mr. Obama was declared president early in the morning of November 5th. The honeymoon didn't last long, however. When I heard that Rahm Emanuel had been appointed as chief of staff I was terribly disappointed. I will provide you with a short laundry list of why below.

I am truly disappointed that you have chosen a man who was not only extremely hawkish on the Iraq war himself, but while he was head of the DCCC actively promoted pro-war Democrats and left those with more dovish views behind.

I don't like how he and Howard Dean butt heads-- I much prefer Dean's vision. Emanuel argued against the 50 state strategy in 2006, which is funny since it worked then and won you NC and other traditionally red states this time around. When you compare the results from 2006, I would argue that Dean's vision was the clearer one. I am worried that Emanuel will be using his clout to finally get rid of Dean, a man who I deeply respect, just because he considers him to be a rival.

I also do not at all like how closely linked he is with Israel, nor do I like his policies on the matter. I was hoping that the new administration would promote a more balanced and nuanced view of the incredibly complex situation in that region. This sends a clear signal to the Arab and Muslim worlds that nothing is fundamentally different in DC. It's business as usual. Just a few days after being elected, you're already slamming doors on potential avenues towards peace, both between Israel and the Palestinians and for America in terms of our seemingly eternal conflicts.

On another note, it strikes me as very very odd that he would relinquish his post as Clinton's campaign finance adviser in order to volunteer with a foriegn army (in his case, the IDF). I would cast a slanted eye on ANYONE who would make that choice. Where are his priorities? Just imagine what the blowback would have been if Obama had joined his Luo brethren in the recent civil unrest in Kenya! He would have been laughed and jeered into obscurity. Why is it any different for Emanuel to do such a thing simply because the state in question is Israel?

I also strongly dislike that he was one of the chief architects of NAFTA. I do believe that free trade is a necessity, but I think that the specific form it has taken on in that particular agreement is odius.

I abhor that he was the brains behind the Schuler immigration act, which proposed the privatization of the boarder and that illegal immigrants should be forever disallowed the possibility of citizenship.

I do not trust his economic judgment. He was on the board of directors at Freddie Mac during the 2000-2002 period wherein the company was plagued by scandal. I've read that some analysts believe that this was the beginning of our current economic maelstrom. During this crucial time of deep economic distress, the last thing I want to see is one of the people who had a hand in its making steering the ship further into the storm.

I could go on further, but this covers most of my main problems with him. Honestly, if his policies were not so insanely horrible, I would probably adore his harsh interpersonal manner. It's been I could do this whole mail to restrain myself from exploding into profanity, so I empathize with that aspect of his character. But we're not talking about who we want to have a beer with now, are we? Despite what anyone might try to say about using his strong arm talents and leaving his ideology behind, I'm not buying it.

Sirs, this is not change I can believe in. Rather I think that Mr. Emanuel is what has gone wrong with the Democratic Party in the recent era. He has cynically stated that the party has no base. Well, sirs, I and millions like me AM that base and we don't like what he stands for. We're the ones that sent you to 1600 Pennsylvania last Tuesday and if we continue to see this pattern of behavior, we won't send you back in 2012. I have never written to a president before, and I doubt if you'll bother listening now that you've gotten your win, but I thought I'd send this off just in case.

Also, on another note, if it's at all possible to incorporate Al Gore into either an existing cabinet position or to create a new role for him (be it cabinet level or special adviser or whatever), for the love of god, please do it! Just thought I'd throw that out there while I had your ear.

Sincerely,

mirror wall

[Buzz Clik]

1. Good concept. I just sent a note supporting Rahm's appointment.

[mirror wall]

3. Why do you support him when he's so clearly right wing?

Honestly, I am very curious. Did you read my points? Do you agree with Rahm's positions? Help me out here.

[dkf]

7. I have no doubt that Rahm will further Obama's goals first and foremost.

Even if he doesn't agree with them.

What do you think Colin Powell did for Bush?

Obama wants Rahm because he gets things done. That makes him the best person for the job.

[Buzz Clik]

18. LOL!!!!!!!!

:rofl:

Oh, shit. I can't breathe.

That's a big joke, right. You really had me going.

[DireStrike]

2. He won't change now.

I'll send him a letter telling him how I feel. However;

1) The nomination is pretty damn solid right now. It would look bad for him to backtrack.
2) Obama either REALLY likes him or sold the position in order to buy the support of the DLC crowd. In neither case will he change his position.

[mirror wall]

4. I know it won't change anything now.

There's no way for either of them to go back on this. What it might do, however, would be to signal to the Obama camp that there IS base (unlike what Rahm thinks) and that we are NOT happy with his first choice, so his subsequent choices ought to be better.

[cali]

5. great idea,

I'll send him a note telling him I'm glad he's appointed a CoS who he feels he can work well with, and who'll fight like hell for his agenda.

I'll also let him know that I support his right to choose a cabinet he has faith in and I certainly won't have the stupid audacity to use "we" when I'm speaking for myself.

Oh, and your letter is full of misinformation.

Sincerely,

cali who doesn't speak for anyone but cali.

[mirror wall]

6. Please point out and source the misinformation.

I carefully researched every point. You can too via simple Googles. I'm curious to see what inaccuracies you are seeing.

[cali]

9. sure.

http://www.zimbio.com/Rahm+Emanuel/articles/21/Emanuel+Immigration+Report+Card

http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel.htm#Immigration

[mirror wall]

13. Interesting.

Here's are two sources on Rahm's connection to the Shuler bill:

http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2008/11/06/one-cheer-for-rahm-emanuel/

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/passingthrough/380233/how_will_obama_govern?rel=hpbox

The latter is pretty pro-Emanuel, but does mention his involvement with the bill.

It's surprising to me that so many Dems here are boosting this guy.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

22. Here's a much more honest appraisal of Rahm Emanuel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wob2RGMSjtk

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

11. Point out and source the minsinformation?

As in actually back up her baseless claim?

:rofl:

I don't think you quite understand how DU's own hit-and-run Queen of Gas operates -- behold:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8U0HxhR2Bc&feature=related

[cali]

12. I did. . can you figure out how to click the links I provided

or do you need help with that?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[mirror wall]

14. From what I saw, you did that after I asked.

I have now indicated two sources that contradict yours.

[cali]

16. Emanuel has a ZERO rating from FAIR

indicating he's got a very pro-immigration voting record. I don't care for his initial support for the war one little bit, but then I didn't care for John Edwards either. I don't like some of his votes on homeland security. On many issues though, he has a good voting record. That's not the point though. I support him as CoS because he's one of the few dems around who has the experience and smarts to do it. He's a tougher than nails shit kicker. An enforcer who'll fight for Obama's legislative agenda and bury anyone who gets in the way. He knows both ends of Pennsylvania Ave.

The last two dem presidents both got off to piss poor starts because they couldn't navigate the legislative process- and they both had dem majorities too. Obama is a student of presidential history, who's determined not to repeat those mistakes.

[mirror wall]

20. That's a voting record.

You seem to be in the camp that believes that Rahm is a kick ass, ruthless, canny politician. I'm right there with you; he surely is. I think that he'd know better than to build up a large, anti-immigration record. That still doesn't do away with the fact that he was behind the construction of a rather odius bill.

[Pharaoh]

23. they call him the Nutcracker!

cause he does ballet :o)

But also cause he's a friggin pitbull!

They had the Hammer,

we got the Nutcracker :rofl: :rofl:

[RoyGBiv]

34. Enforcer ...

Chief of Staff

Synonyms.

Just agreeing.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Here's my letter!

Dear President-elect Obama,

I just want to thank you for delivering me from evil. I watched how you managed your campaign, and I am not less than so very impressed in the results yielded thus far.

After living through eight years of hell, and after two years of observing your management style as it related to your campaign, I am overjoyed with the changes that I see already. It is indeed wonderful to know that you have and are reviewing Bush's executive orders and are preparing to reverse so many of them! Now that is going to be some instant Change that we can believe in! Kudos on this.

I also wanted to let you know that you are off to a great start in selecting Rahm Emanuel as your Chief of Staff. In Mr. Emanuel representing you and your voice to those who you so choose to have him address, he appears competent and intense in a no nonsense manner. He knows the White House, the Congress, and most of all he knows you, and that is good enough for me.

Since I did read both of your books from cover to cover, I can safely state that I have nothing more than the upmost faith that you will make wise decisions during your tenure as President. Can't wait for the swearing in part!

Again, thank you for running such a masterful campaign, and please know that those cries of joy that are still rolling through the streets of America and the world were for the hope that you bring, and the realization that the Bush Administration is no more. Now, that is change that millions believe in!

Again, Thank you for your hard work! I know it wasn't easy.

Respectfully,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. As a citizen, you certainly have the right to voice your criticisms, but

I also have the right to ignore your obvious attention seeking. I'm probably not going to agree 100% with all of PE Obama's appointments, but neither do I think I'm smart enough to put together an entire administration that everyone's going to be satisfied with. This letter writing campaign that you're trying to mobilize can have the exact opposite response you were hoping for.

Just take a look at our political counterparts, they are grappling with a conservative base who thought that McCain/Palin weren't conservative enough, and that's why they lost? The purity trolling from the low count posters, and the non-donating members of DU has taken on a frenzied escalation in the last couple of days. Good luck with your efforts?:shrug:

[mirror wall]

15. I have had this account for years.

I only use it occasionally. I'm not talking about "purity" as a vague concept, I am talking about Emanuel's specific record of being quite far to the right. One thing that I dislike about this board is that only those with high post counts and stars by their names are taken seriously. I suppose I could spam to 1k and donate and be regarded with a bit more respect, but that's not how I do things. If you look through my posting history you'll note that I don't talk in one liners, but rather tend toward paragraphs and even essays. I can't stand soundbytes-- from other people of from myself.

Why is it therefore impossible to have a civil debate? I honestly find this man to be disturbing at best. I haven't given up on O for any number of reasons, but I think it's important that I and others who think in something of the same way criticize choices he makes that are lamentable.

One thing I was really looking forward to from an Obama administration was an increase in diplomacy with the Arab world. Have you seen how their press is reacting to this appointment? It's pretty disastrous from a foreign policy standpoint alone. See this Al Jazeera article here to start (and Google for more if you're interested): http://www.aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=180832

Never mind his far center right views in general (except on social issues such as abortion, where I find absolutely no fault with him).

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. I'm not gonna waste much more time with you, because my sense is

that you're an attention whore. I'm not really sure why I should be concerned with a random sampling of Arabs who don't like Rahm's appointment? I know that there are many hold-overs here, who never got past the primaries, and who are here simply to stir shit up...I hope you're not one of them. I see you've even gotten a couple of knuckle heads to jump on your bandwagon. I hope when you post this thread over in Freeperville, as an example of how "divided" we are, you'll be kind.:hi:

[cali]

31. Emanuel absolutely does not have a "specific record of being

quite far to the right". I provided you with a link to his voting record and you persist in pushing a lie. It's impossible to have a civil discussion with someone doing that. And sorry, his record isn't center right on any issue. it's absolutely center left- as my link proves.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. Oh God.

:eyes:

[Overseas]

19. I think Barack is more liberal than Rahm, and Barack's ideas won the election.

I'm hoping that the Obama campaign has shown Rahm how wrong he was in trying to push Democrats to the right. Obama won the day with a liberal agenda, not left wing and not conservative. So Rahm's former policy of pushing Democrats to the right was proven wrong.

Obama won by advocating liberal policies like a swift withdrawal from Iraq, fast-tracking energy independence, letting the public buy into the government national health insurance program, and more taxation of the very wealthy and tax cuts for the rest of us.

So now, let's see Rahm team up with Barack to advocate time-honored liberal policies that make pragmatic economic sense-- like the tax policies he proposes that have grown the economy before, and national health insurance such as our competitors in Europe and Japan have, and fast-tracking alternative energy development to stretch the remaining oil reserves on earth a bit farther.

Progressive policies are economically viable and therefore quite pragmatic.

Progressive foreign policy can be lean and mean. Using our intelligence agencies and diplomacy to their maximum would make our national defense much more agile and strong. Lots of former enemies can be seduced through cooperation to move toward democracy. Bombing them and creating torture centers tends to harden our enemies and send them into the camps of religious fundamentalists.

[Pastiche423]

21. Great letter!

But as others have said on this thread, it will do no good. Just like the No on FISA group before the disasterous vote. He ignored over 23 thousand of us.

My "hopegasm" (I love that!) lasted less than 24 hours. W/rahm at the helm, hope will be forgotten.

[gordianot]

24. Dear Mr. Obama please hire and fire who you want, at your discretion. EOM

[ncteechur]

25. Agreed!!!

You ran, you won, choose any damn body you want. Period.

[bvar22]

26. K&R

A good letter that touched most of my own objections.
I will be sending a letter of my own.
It probably won't change anything, but "it is better to light a candle...."

There are many here who agree with you....maybe a majority.
You just happened to be the current victim of the DU's Obama Police tag team.
They are a very small group.


If you think Rahm is bad, have you seen Obama's Economic Transition Team?


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Tarheel_Dem]

29. What utter bullshit. How the hell do you know what a majority of DU thinks?

Those of you who thought Obama would appoint Nader & Kucinich (although I love Dennis) types to fill his entire cabinet represent the tiniest minority nationally. In the words of your own sig line, "The Democratic Party is a Big Tent", and I certainly hope Obama isn't gonna take a lot of advice from idealogues like you. If you don't understand the need for concensus building after these last eight years, then you're probably a lost cause.

[bvar22]

36. What utter bullshit. How the hell do you know what a majority of DU thinks?

I never said I did.
I am entitled to speculate what the majority of DU "MIGHT" think....which happens to be exactly what I did.

I don't know anybody here who even hoped that Obama would appoint "Nader & Kucinich types types to fill his entire cabinet...".
Can you say "STRAWMAN".
Do you know what it is?

I had hoped that Obama in his pledge for "consensus building" would have a voice or two from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party represented in his staff or cabinent, but the early choices do not look good.

Looking at the Cos and his Economic Transition Team
we have so far:
Big Money
Clinton Retreads
The Rubinomics master himself
The Enforcer for the DLC

There is still time, but if the Left wants a voice in the Obama administration, we had better shout out NOW.


I think I will post a poll tomorrow to find out what the majority of DU thinks about Rahm.
Bet I'm closer than you are.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. Go for it. But I'll bet that most of us trust our new PE to make the right

decisions. He already knows, like most us, that there's a wing of the party that he'll never satisfy. And to them I say, get over it. If the country wanted fringe candidates like Nader, Kucinich, or Gravel...there was ample time to make that choice known. This has been the longest election cycle I can remember, so everyone had a shot, and the people have now spoken LOUDLY.

"To the victor, go the spoils".

[bvar22]

38. "Get over it." ?

"To the victor go the spoils" ?

WOW. I've heard that before.

What happened to all that "Inclusiveness", "Consensus building" and "President of everyone"?

Anti-War, Reducing the Military Budget, Equal Rights for ALL, Regulated Trade and Commerce, and Protecting the Environment are now "Fringe Issues" ?

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. That's right.

;-)

[TexasObserver]

27. Thanks for the rightwing talking points, Mr. Limbaugh!!

[judasdisney]

28. K & R

[desktop]

32. The only ear you will get is the interns assistant to the janitor on the way to the shredder

With people like you bashing Obama's managerial picks who needs rightwingers.

[Imagevision]

33. umm? I support Rahm Emanuel because Obama does...

[bertman]

35. Why not send a message to Obama, you ask. Because I trust his judgment and I don't

intend to question it right now. He's a strategic genius and knows how to pick the right staff. We can judge the wisdom of his choices once we see some results.