From Rahmbo to Rahm-bassador: How an unlikely diplomat has wooed Japan

[reACTIONary]

“I’m a diplomat now. … It’s a calmer Rahm Emanuel,” he says with a grin.... It’s already 12:30 p.m. and he had not uttered a single four-letter word, he notes. Not yet. “I mean, I do have a full day ahead of me.”


his appointment still seemed like a mismatch. Emanuel is a famously hard-charging political operative whose reputation as “Rahmbo” was parodied in mostly bleeped-out “Saturday Night Live” sketches; Japan is so polite that it’s considered too rude to tell someone a flat-out “no.” Emanuel can barely sit still; Japan prizes calm and orderliness.

Yet in his first 15 months, Japan has embraced Emanuel. In Japan, he’s Rahm-san, his excellency, the “undiplomat” and a darling of Japanese Twitter.

https://wapo.st/3ptfSjV (No Paywall)

[nycbos]

1. I am an adopted Chicagoan.

I'm very surprised by this. I didn't think Rahn knew any words other than swear words

[reACTIONary]

3. Rahm in Marquette Park....

... protesting agaist IL nazis. He actually says "please"!

https://mediaburn.org/video/marquette-park-ii/?t=23:51


https://chicagoreader.com/blogs/rahm-emanuel-hates-illinois-nazis/#more

[CentralMass]

2. They must be a gullible people.

[mopinko]

4. i never hated him.

have a foaf who lived next door and confirms he’s a huge asshole. but have i always contended only an asshole can run this town.

i pulled a joke on him once. i was at a small event during his last run.
i went up to him to shake his hand. me- is a pleasure to meet you, sir. i’m your only fan.
nearly died watching that wash over his face.
he- what’s your ward?
me- 49 (totally pinko hood)
he- ah. that explains it.
(yes, i had been saving that joke for MONTHS.)

he did laugh, and we had a nice chat. took pics, which he put on his fb page.
there’s fragile jerks, and there’s jerks who can take a punch. the latter arent the problem.

he usually knew when to pull in the horns.

[reACTIONary]

5. +10 nt