Politico Libels Obama

[davidswanson]

At least that was what I was accused of on this site when I wrote about this a week ago:

Obama wants Emanuel for chief of staff
By Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen Jim Vandehei, Mike Allen, Politico

In his first major move as president-elect, Barack Obama has asked Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), a tough-minded tactician with West Wing experience, to serve as his White House chief of staff, Democratic sources tell Politico.

Emanuel has said to friends that he wants and will take the job, but it was not a done deal as of early this morning. Obama plans to move swiftly with his transition announcement and could name Emanuel this week, the sources said. He then plans rapid-fire announcements on his economic and national security teams.

If Emanuel — a member of the House Democratic leadership with ambitions to one day to be House speaker — were to turn it down, former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) would likely get the nod, the sources said.

Some Democrats have warned that Emanuel’s take-no-prisoners style could hurt Obama. But the president-elect wants to move fast to push his legislative agenda through the Democratic-controlled Congress — and Emanuel knows the Hill and power politics as well as anyone in town.

“Obama wants a bad cop, so he can be good cop 90 percent of the time,” an adviser said.
Emanuel, who at 49 is two years older than Obama, is the Democratic Caucus chairman, the fourth-highest-ranking member of the House Democratic leadership.

Emanuel was known for his hard-nosed tactics as a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton. After leaving the White House, he returned to Chicago as an investment bank managing director.

Friends of both men say that Obama likes Emanuel, and that Emanuel would be totally loyal. And Obama respects Emanuel’s knowledge of Washington, including the legislative process, and his reputation for getting things done.

Emanuel's first big assignment in Clinton's White House was helping pass the North American Free Trade Agreement, which riled many Democrats. He was a consistent voice for anti-crime measures, welfare reform and other initiatives that pushed against liberal orthodoxy.

In his personal views, he's a centrist, and despite a combative political style, he has good relations with many congressional Republicans, such as Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.).

[defendandprotect]

1. There are quite a few at DU who like to avoid reality -- and DLC reality especially ...!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. A bit of bad news on an otherwise glorious day

:)

[katnip]

3. Perhaps...

President-elect Obama is opening an opportunity for Mr. Emanuel to revisit some (IMHO:blush: ) less-than-perfect legislation (NAFTA, welfare reform) and bring some humanity back to one, and sanity to the other. Obviously he is a "can-do" sort of guy, and Barack is looking for just those types of people to help him further his agenda. I think Rahm Emanuel is a great choice for Chief-of-Staff. Barack needs a Rottweiler in that position...someone loyal and tough with a great heart.

I'm excited to see who President Obama is going to surround himself with. So far, I personally like his choices in V.P. and Chief-of-Staff.

We Americans are very lucky. We picked one smart cookie this time:).

[ShortnFiery]

4. I hope the diva, Mr. Emanuel turns him down because he wants to make more of a splash in Congress.

We need someone NOT of the corporate DLC in the COS position. :shrug:

[VenusRising]

5. Better as the COS taking orders than in congress shaping policy for the DLC.

[Indenturedebtor]

10. I will judge Obama's choices based on the results

If this guy can get things done, then he can get things done :shrug:

What things is the question? But I think that Obama and Biden will wield the most influence in deciding that... no?

[SemperEadem]

7. I thought the same thing too about Emmanuel

that Obama needs 'an enforcer'--and after watching his answer on an IFC political clip in the spin room after one of the debates about how mclame came across, I think he's got the right person for the job. His answer was hilarious and so on pointe.

[humbled_opinion]

6. I think he is a smart choice

Centrist in the WH does not harm nationally and he knows how to coordinate with Congress... Obama is a very smart man.

[MasonJar]

8. I do not want Emanuel because of his effort to get rid of Governor

Dean. Dean is one of the major reasons we now have a pres-elect Obama (50 state et al.) However, if Obama likes him, he must have some qualities appropriate to this job.

[Shanti Mama]

9. You can please some of the people some of the time, but

You can't please all of the people all of the time. If Obama thinks Emanuel is a good choice I'll respect his judgment. He needs someone he trusts, someone who knows DC and can get things done. He needs a bad cop to his good cop. If he thinks Emanuel is that guy then he's 'the one.' ;-)

[spag68]

11. Emanuel

Just the fact that he is friends with Adam Putnam, is enough to make me barf. I'm afraid that we will have to live with it, but the DLC will always be too centrist for me. We need progressives not centrists, but Obama is the man and we have to give him the chance to do the right thing. I have more hope for him then any candidate since Bobby Kennedy.