Rahm picks a fight with MoveOn and Soros

[Rose Siding]

Chicago Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who leads the Democrats' efforts to retake the House and Senate, is criticizing two of his party's leading allies - George Soros and MoveOn.org - for spending too little on the midterm elections.

"In the 2004 election there were some very active players who, as far as I can tell, have now decided they're neither going to be involved in the field, advertising or anything," Emanuel told the Daily News. "Do you know where they are?"

This year, there are no important national 527s supporting the Democrats (*the lie is in italics), with many donors disillusioned by both Kerry's defeat and how little infrastructure their 2004 spending left behind.
.....
MoveOn.org's Washington director, Tom Matzzie, responded sharply to Emanuel's criticism, saying the group had made an early impact in key races and plans to spend $25 million this year.

"I don't like him litigating election business through the newspapers. I think that's in poor taste," Matzzie said of Emanuel.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/447195p-376528c.html

AND Soros is already in for 1.5 million. What the hell is wrong with Emanuel? Yesterday he stupidly said about Joe(LFC-CT), "Explain to me how two Democrats running is bad", and now he goes and pisses off the rest of the friendlies. He has a rep for being abrasive and he's really showing himself here.

[AX10]

1. K and R!

[saltpoint]

2. $1.5 Million for Soros and $25 mil for Move.On...

Even somebody who almost flunked 7th grade math could tell you that's a pile of cash.

I don't believe Mr. Soros is beholden to anyone, is he? If he wants to spend his money on Democrats, I'm all for it and thank him gratefully. But if he spent it all on lawn ornaments, I don't support there's a damn thing anyone could do about it.

I'm glad he's on the team.

[Kagemusha]

3. I read those comments quite some time ago

Maybe a week? But it wasn't on the weekend. Was well earlier.

Not that I'm arguing with any of your characterizations (like 'picks a fight'). Not arguing at all.

[Rose Siding]

10. He said this about Soros and MoveOn earlier?

The NYDaily has dated it yesterday and I hadn't seen it before. I can't figure the guy out. Maybe he's pissed about the blog fundraisers this week, but it doesn't seem like that's enough for this kind of public laundering.

[Kagemusha]

12. I believe it was earlier. re: Soros and MoveOn, yes

I know that the "two Democrats" running in CT one was much much more recent.

[PaDem]

4. Do the republicans do this?

If they do, it's not in the press. Imagine Ken Melhman or Hastert publicly saying that they can't count on Dobson or Falwell.

[Nozebro]

5. Rahm is doing his Sister Soulja impression. EOM

nt

[Ignacio Upton]

6. Rahm, don't air your dirty laundary out in the open

If you have the complaint about Soros and/or MoveOn, complain to them privately, or at least tell toher Democratic higher-ups.

[ramapodem]

7. And people wonder why....

the DCCC gets a bad rap. Cuz they don't do there hw.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. Rep. Emanuel has some 'splainin' to do as far as I see it.

I think he is kicking some golden geese in the teeth. I cannot help but wonder what his motives could possibly be. Nothing good comes to mind.

[formercia]

33. so people won't donate ot MoveOn...

and send the money to the DLC instead. He just doesn't like how they spend it.

That's my rock at the DLC for the day.

[BrklynLiberal]

35. That is a very good point. As usual...it is follow the money.

[ChiciB1]

9. I Talked About This Earlier Today.... Rahm Seems To Be Sort

of that nasty fly in the ointment. First Dean, now this!! Most here thought Emmanuel would "come together" with Dean for the sake of the Party... I don't think so.

What I don't understand is why he and his crowd don't want to UNITE and do the "big tent" thing! Especially since Begalla, Carville and that whole group should know better than most what it feels like not to be welcomed. When they first hit D.C. back in '92 they were called the "outsiders" and this gang of all people should know what it feels like to have all this friction!

I've gotten more email from MoveOn.Org than almost any group! I don't understand it, and hate to think it's just about HILLARY! I know he's public ally stated that she is who he wants as the nominee, and perhaps since many here and many of the base don't want her, he might be acting like a spoiled brat to some extent.

Carville says if Dems don't win now, the Party is in serious trouble.... NO DUH! Can't argue with that, but hey guys... it's time for you and YOUR gang to come in and play ball with the rest of us!!

I feel it's THEM who are doing more harm than the other way around!!!

[tularetom]

11. He was full of big talk when he took the DCCC job

He was gonna do the bidding of his DLC asshole buddies but reality has intruded in the form of people based campaigns. He'd rather have the Dems lose than win without him. He needs to shut up, ask Howard Dean how he can help and do as he is told. He's basically a nobody and a DLC tool.

[Rose Siding]

15. See, that's what's most worrisome

I don't know that I'm all the way there ("He'd rather have the Dems lose than win without him.") BUT, if they have internal numbers that look really good, and they can tell that there's a real emergence of progressive strength, is it really inconceivable that some of the triangulators might be tempted to torpedo us before that happens?

[tularetom]

16. No, it isn't inconceivable. Where else can they go?

They aren't welcome in the repub party. Once they've been found out they won't be welcome in the Dems either. They're desperate enough to shit can legitimate Democratic candidates in order to be able to say I told you so and maintain their tenuous hold on the party machinery. But if they succeed this time I think there will be an explosion in '08.

[guruoo]

13. Time for Rahm to go - n/t

[elehhhhna]

20. You mean SCRAM Time for Rham to Scram.

lol

[snowbear]

21. bull crap..

I don't agree that Rham should have made his Soros/Move On statement public, but I don't want him going ANYWHERE!

He's an effective Congressman and he's raised a BUTT-LOAD for the DCCC..

[MercutioATC]

14. That old guard IS tenacious, aren't they?

Fortunately (fingers crossed) they're on their way out.

[guruoo]

17. Seen this? -- "Well the DCCC just called me for money. And I sent them

a check"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2801870&mesg_id=2802125

[Nite Owl]

18. I got a feeling that what

Emmanuel doesn't like Moveon doing is actually listening to the base. They may not be backing their darlings. They sure helped Lamont pull out his victory which now puts a crimp in his plan, bringing up subjects that they would rather not spend time discussing like the war in Iraq. It's not that they aren't doing anything but who it is that is receiving moveon help.

[leesa]

19. Rahm, doing his best for the GOP.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

22. Rahm Emanuel---what an arrogant lightweight.

[madfloridian]

23. Soros had a big fundraiser with the DNC last week.

At least it was scheduled, think the same week-end as the Chicago meeting was ending.

Rahm needs to bite his tongue and hush.

[CrushTheDLC]

24. To paraphrase the great Mike Malloy....

Did I mention tonight how much I HATE these DLC bastards??

[depakid]

25. Rahm = loser

same old, same old.

Tired, stale & moldy.

[wyldwolf]

26. Rahm=winner

First - I don't believe Emanuel should have baited Soros and MoveOn via the press. There are more cordial ways to do it, but one part of the article not quoted in the OP is Emanuel is barred from plotting strategy with the independent groups.

How wrong was Emanual, though? Matzie said MoveOn had made an early impact in key races and plans to spend $25 million this year. Really? WHICH races? There's only about 60 days left to spend that money.

Another part missing from the OP: Soros spokesman Michael Vachon declined to respond directly to Emanuel, but confirmed that the billionaire is spending a tiny fraction of what he laid out in 2004.

The figure, the tiny fraction, is a mere $1.5 million. Hey! That helps a couple of competitive races. Not too much more.

In effect, Soros and MoveOn ARE MIA in the house races. Emanuel's mistake was assuming Soros and MoveOn would kick in at all.

The post above mine says Rahm=loser.

How so?

Was he a loser when he helped put Paul Simon in the US Senate? Was he a loser when he helped Richard Daley become the mayor of Chicago in 1989? Was he a loser when he helped Bill Clinton win the white house? Was he a loser when he himself won his seat in Congress in 2003?

nearly all Democrats concede that he deserves substantial credit for their rosy election prospects this year.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/062106/news1.html

Yeah, right. Loser. :eyes:

[sendero]

28. What abolute nonsense..

... Rahm=status quo. The only reason we have a chance in November is that huge majorities of Americans have lost faith in Bush and the Republicans.

This should be a shoo-in election, we should be taking the house and the senate, but it will be a tough ride all the way. And I'm supposed to give credit to someone like this guy?

Your opinion is comical.

[wyldwolf]

29. which part of this was my opinion?

Is it my opinion that Emanuel is barred from plotting strategy with the independent groups?

Is it my opinion that Soros spokesman Michael Vachon declined to respond directly to Emanuel, but confirmed that the billionaire is spending a tiny fraction of what he laid out in 2004?

Is it my opinion that Emanuel helped put Paul Simon in the US Senate?

Is it my opinion that he helped Richard Daley become the mayor of Chicago in 1989?

Is it my opinion that he helped Bill Clinton win the white house?

Is it my opinion that he won his house seat in 2003?

It is my opinion that nearly all Democrats concede that he deserves substantial credit for their rosy election prospects this year?

No, all of that is matter of historical record and sourced material.

[sendero]

30. Excuse me..

... you are parroting a ridiculous opinion printed in a bullshit web article that says "nearly all dems..." Nearly all Dems have never heard of Emmanual, and the article is bullshit.

I can find stuff with about as much relevance and credibility on right wing sites, white supremacist sites, and so on. Anybody with a $300 computer can put up a bullshit article on the web.

FACT: Republican approval ratings are in the toilet but Dems are not picking up commensurate wins. You figure out why that is and get back to me.

[wyldwolf]

31. you're excused

... you are parroting a ridiculous opinion printed in a bullshit web article that says "nearly all dems..." Nearly all Dems have never heard of Emmanual, and the article is bullshit.

No, I'm quoting part of an article that is about Democrats in congress, ALL of who have heard of Rahm Emanual.

and the article is bullshit.

Simply because you say so.

I can find stuff with about as much relevance and credibility on right wing sites, white supremacist sites, and so on. Anybody with a $300 computer can put up a bullshit article on the web.

My friend, The Hill hardly qualifies for what you just said.

FACT: Republican approval ratings are in the toilet but Dems are not picking up commensurate wins. You figure out why that is and get back to me.

Because we haven't had elections yet?

Now, what part of my original post was my opinion?

[Warren Stupidity]

27. "Explain to me how two Democrats running is bad"

He actually said that? Is there a link? Why is he still the head of anything?

[Rose Siding]

34. Here's the link, Warren-

snip>
Rahm Emanuel, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, expressed confidence that Democratic turnout would be strong for the House races in Connecticut.

“Explain to me how two Democrats running is bad,” Mr. Emanuel said in an interview. “Would I prefer it be simpler? Yeah. But everybody is hyperventilating, and my own view is that we have an energized base.” Mr. Emanuel, who is a congressman from Illinois, campaigned and raised money for Ms. Farrell in recent days.

But other top Democrats, including Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, have called on Mr. Lieberman to drop out and say he is hurting both the state and national parties.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/nyregion/27connecticut.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[OzarkDem]

32. They both make good points

and this needs to be resolved. Rahm has to accept the fact that the days of Dems using their base for one night stands is over.

At the same time, I'm uncomfortable with any non-affiliated organization working to elect the Dems it chooses. MoveOn and others are not a surrogate for the Dem party, they're accountable to no one.

[ChiciB1]

36. If This Guy And HIS Followers Keep This Stuff Up, We Might As

well just GIVE UP! Emmanuel seems to have decided he's "The Decider" for Democrats. As time goes by he keeps sticking his neck out. Time for him and his group.... Carville, Begala, Brazille... you know the ones to get with the program!

Dean speaks for me, and I'm getting pretty fed up with Emmanuel! Hey, Rahm can't you remember way back in '92 when this was being done to The Clintons? Shame on you!

I know... it's all about Hillary for you!!!!