Reid, Emanuel pushed for Gregg

[camera obscura]

For those wondering why people are questioning Rahm based on this recent kerfuffle, it's because Politico reported that Rahm & Harry were the ones pushing for the pick. Now, it's from Politico so take it with a boulder of salt. But the folks on FireDogLake & DownWithTyranny, to give two examples of liberal blogs that are critical of the two of them, seem to believe it is a reliable story.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18385.html

"The Thursday before his Inauguration last month, President Barack Obama was already reaching out to Sen. Judd Gregg to be his new commerce secretary.

Talks followed between Gregg and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, who had come to know the New Hampshire Republican during their time together last fall in the round-the-clock negotiations on Treasury’s massive financial markets rescue bill. But the man who helped to kick off Gregg’s nomination was back in the Senate itself, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

“He told me he had recommended me to be commerce secretary,” Gregg told Politico. “I thought he was kidding, but the next day I was meeting with Obama.”"

[Uzybone]

1. Gregg pushed for Gregg

Reid and Rahm and Rahms boss all thought it was a good idea. How this is being blamed on Rahm is beyond me. Did Rahm force Gregg to lobby for the post? Did Rahm force his boss to appoint him.

[camera obscura]

2. I'm not saying Rahm forced anyone. I'm clearing it up for people who are confused

about why people are blaming Rahm.

[KittyWampus]

3. Politico reported? LOL It's also reported Gregg lobbied for the job.

[Avalux]

4. Politico is not credible. Stupid. n/t

[camera obscura]

6. I don't trust politico. I do trust FDL and DWT who believe the story is reliable.

[endarkenment]

5. no can't be right

i've been assured right and left here (DU right and left of course) that the freaking chief of staff of the Obama administration has nothing to do with the selection and vetting process and shares no blame for this particular bipartisan craptacular despite his long history of DLC idiocy.

couldn't be.

[babylonsister]

7. I have no trouble believing Rahm and/or Reid may have suggested

him, but Obama could have said 'no' easily.
My thinking on Gregg's nom was that it'd be a great idea to get him out of the Senate and put him somewhere where he could do no harm. Now that's been foiled.

[wyldwolf]

9. those who are pushing Rahm as the root of all evil are really saying Obama is weak

[babylonsister]

10. Well, I'm piping up with my disagreement there. nt

[K Gardner]

8. If POLITICO said it, wow, it MUST be true !! *sheesh*

[camera obscura]

11. Did you read the rest of the post?

[GarbagemanLB]

12. Jesus christ. After 8 years of an idiot in charge who refused to take responsibility, we are assigni

ng blame to those beneath Obama?

You can't have it both ways. Obama is either in charge and he is making these decisions or he isn't.

He made the decision to go with Gregg. HE did. Is it his fault Gregg basically had second thoughts? No. But let's not play innocent with this.

[tritsofme]

13. Even if its not true, it sure fits in nicely with the myth that Rahm

and, well, anybody in the administration are clashing.

And that Rahm is the new evil Karl Rove figure we should all hate.