Okay, NOW it's official - CNN Reporting Rahm Emanuel has accepted as Chief of Staff

[DemoRabbit]

After some of the reactions to my thread yesterday, I assume a lot of you don't like this choice. I'm fine with it.

[liberalmuse]

1. Good. And I also want to say...

FUCK YOU, John Bohner, you slimy piece of shit. You have no right to say a goddamned thing, being that your party has done it's best to try and destroy America. I hope the Dems run roughshod all over you and your ilk.

[shadowknows69]

2. We've all trusted Obama this far I'm going to continue to

If we see too many of the neo-con old guard starting to get jobs then I'll start the paranoia engine back up. For at least a week I just plan to keep floating on this cloud I'm on. B-)

[Pastiche423]

31. No, "we" haven't

Btw, emanuel is a CON.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

3. I really don't know enough about him to be one way or the other.

I read his wikipedia article, but it wasn't very satisfying. Any place I can go for a crash course on these various politicians I'll probably be hearing about in the next few weeks?

[Leopolds Ghost]

4. Does anyone understand that Rahm advocated for the Iraq War and advocated for Dean's firing?

This COS job means Howard Dean is GONE.

[Romulox]

5. But I *trust* Obama to appoint the correct RightWinger for the job!!! nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. If they know what is good for them, they'll keep Howard "50 State Strategy" Dean around

awhile yet.

[madfloridian]

15. That is what I think. I think it means Dean is out.

From early 2007:

The “shit” Carville was referring to was the long-running feud between Rahm and Dean, which boiled down to Rahm’s wanting Dean to give him more money—a lot more—and Dean’s refusing to do it. Normally, the chairman of the DNC is installed by party leaders, but after the Democrats’ 2004 debacle, there were no party leaders, and Dean won the chairmanship by winning over the anonymous state-party chairs and much neglected members of the DNC, the folks who actually vote on the matter. The state parties became his base of support, and Dean promised them two things: more money and more power.

It drove Rahm and Carville nuts. “The thing that stuns me,” Carville says, “is that this is supposed to be a rigged deal—chairman of the party! The congressional leadership, the fund-raisers, people like that are supposed to decide. You are supposed to get a call and are told who to vote for! You’re not supposed to really vote on this shit!”

In fact Carville used the words "smoke-filled rooms" as to how the chairman would be chosen.

Dean was keeping his promise to the states, but he did finally take out a loan for the DCCC but funneled it through the state parties so it could not all be spent TV ads.

Rahm had only one more option for pressuring Dean: start leaking to the press. A senior aide to Rahm says Rahm believed that if there were enough newspaper accounts filled with details about how Dean’s stinginess was going to cost Democrats the House, Dean would have to cave. But the stories came and went, and Dean held firm. “What I think Rahm didn’t recognize,” Dean’s aide says, “was that’s exactly the wrong way to move Dean.” In the end, Rahm—or rather his staff¬, because at this point he refused to talk to Dean—had to go crawling back to the DNC chairman and accept Dean’s offer of $2.4 million. Even worse, Dean refused to give the money directly to Rahm. “Governor Dean had concerns that Rahm was going to spend it all on TV,” Dean’s aide says. Instead, it would be funneled through the state parties.

With a month left in the campaign, I ask one of Rahm’s top aides about Dean, and she explodes. “He’s so frustrating. I just don’t like him, anyway. I haven’t liked him from the beginning. It’s totally bizarre dealing with him. She goes on, “It’s not just that we only got $2.4 million, but we’re also supposed to not say mean things about Howard Dean. And Rahm’s supposed to act like everything’s wonderful.” After the showdown in May, the two men didn’t speak until election night.

And after the election:

Flush with victory after the election, Rahm’s allies, led by Carville, try to mount a coup at the DNC by publicly attacking Dean and suggesting he be replaced by Harold Ford, a Tennessee moderate who just lost a Senate race. “You can’t go into 2008 having a party chairman that is completely disconnected from the congressional leadership and the campaign committees,” Carville tells me, further pounding the wedge that divides the Deaniacs and the Clintonites. When I ask if Rahm agrees, Carville says, “It’s not any secret that Rahm has expressed disdain for Dean and not very secret that Rahm and I are close. It doesn’t take a lot of dot-connecting here.” What about the Clintons, who, given Hillary’s presidential ambitions, have more cause for concern about who runs the DNC in 2008? “Let’s just say nobody has called me telling me this is a bad idea. Sometimes silence is eloquence.” Not only did Carville’s coup fail but it arguably strengthened Dean, who, speaking before his state-party allies, mocked the attempt as a desperate attack from the “old Democratic Party.” Cutting his losses, Rahm quickly leaked word to the press that he and Dean had negotiated a truce.

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_5251

[merh]

17. Gee, I didn't realize that Obama took that advice

about firing Dean, that is.

And I sure the hell don't think Obama will change his mind on Iraq.

Maybe Rahm has changed his mind.

I don't like Rahm, but I do like Obama and I trust him. He has gotten this far against great odds, he has behaved more statesmanlike and with more wisdom and insight than any politician I can recall in my lifetime.

He won't make me happy 100% of the time but I trust him to be doing what he needs to do to try to fix the fuck ups he has been left with.

[madfloridian]

19. That was back in 2006 that the "coup" happened with Carville leading it.

From early 2007:

The “shit” Carville was referring to was the long-running feud between Rahm and Dean, which boiled down to Rahm’s wanting Dean to give him more money—a lot more—and Dean’s refusing to do it. Normally, the chairman of the DNC is installed by party leaders, but after the Democrats’ 2004 debacle, there were no party leaders, and Dean won the chairmanship by winning over the anonymous state-party chairs and much neglected members of the DNC, the folks who actually vote on the matter. The state parties became his base of support, and Dean promised them two things: more money and more power.

It drove Rahm and Carville nuts. “The thing that stuns me,” Carville says, “is that this is supposed to be a rigged deal—chairman of the party! The congressional leadership, the fund-raisers, people like that are supposed to decide. You are supposed to get a call and are told who to vote for! You’re not supposed to really vote on this shit!”

In fact Carville used the words "smoke-filled rooms" as to how the chairman would be chosen.

Dean was keeping his promise to the states, but he did finally take out a loan for the DCCC but funneled it through the state parties so it could not all be spent TV ads.

Rahm had only one more option for pressuring Dean: start leaking to the press. A senior aide to Rahm says Rahm believed that if there were enough newspaper accounts filled with details about how Dean’s stinginess was going to cost Democrats the House, Dean would have to cave. But the stories came and went, and Dean held firm. “What I think Rahm didn’t recognize,” Dean’s aide says, “was that’s exactly the wrong way to move Dean.” In the end, Rahm—or rather his staff¬, because at this point he refused to talk to Dean—had to go crawling back to the DNC chairman and accept Dean’s offer of $2.4 million. Even worse, Dean refused to give the money directly to Rahm. “Governor Dean had concerns that Rahm was going to spend it all on TV,” Dean’s aide says. Instead, it would be funneled through the state parties.

With a month left in the campaign, I ask one of Rahm’s top aides about Dean, and she explodes. “He’s so frustrating. I just don’t like him, anyway. I haven’t liked him from the beginning. It’s totally bizarre dealing with him. She goes on, “It’s not just that we only got $2.4 million, but we’re also supposed to not say mean things about Howard Dean. And Rahm’s supposed to act like everything’s wonderful.” After the showdown in May, the two men didn’t speak until election night.

And after the election:

Flush with victory after the election, Rahm’s allies, led by Carville, try to mount a coup at the DNC by publicly attacking Dean and suggesting he be replaced by Harold Ford, a Tennessee moderate who just lost a Senate race. “You can’t go into 2008 having a party chairman that is completely disconnected from the congressional leadership and the campaign committees,” Carville tells me, further pounding the wedge that divides the Deaniacs and the Clintonites. When I ask if Rahm agrees, Carville says, “It’s not any secret that Rahm has expressed disdain for Dean and not very secret that Rahm and I are close. It doesn’t take a lot of dot-connecting here.” What about the Clintons, who, given Hillary’s presidential ambitions, have more cause for concern about who runs the DNC in 2008? “Let’s just say nobody has called me telling me this is a bad idea. Sometimes silence is eloquence.” Not only did Carville’s coup fail but it arguably strengthened Dean, who, speaking before his state-party allies, mocked the attempt as a desperate attack from the “old Democratic Party.” Cutting his losses, Rahm quickly leaked word to the press that he and Dean had negotiated a truce.

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_5251

[Leopolds Ghost]

23. We can only hope Rahm doesn't have a long memory.

What am I saying? He's a Chicago pol. Of course he has a list. And a set of brass knuckles, figuratively speaking.

If only he were a liberal (on something other than social issues) he'd make a decent fighter.

Notice the emphasis on wealthiest fund-raisers choosing the DNC chair. That model hasn't entirely gone away.

They are still bundling, just using the Internet.

[merh]

28. As I said, I trust Obama

Who do you think Obama is more loyal to, Dean or Carville?

I would think that Carville will be the one left on the side of the road this time around.

He may end up on Fox as a pundit next to Rove and Dick Morris.

[madfloridian]

30. You did not get my point.

The choice of Rahm seems to indicate that the we are going back to old ways. :shrug:

I felt good and upbeat about Obama until his choice of Rahm. Now I feel uncomfortable as though the voices that spread across the country and helped him win....are now being shut out.

Rahm does not tolerate other voices very well.

[Pastiche423]

32. Once again

you come up w/the important information too many here seem to be oblivious about. Talk about short memories!

In 2006 and 2008, Dean proved his strategy worked, yet the anti-Dean is offered the CoS? Our future has already dimmed.

[madfloridian]

33. Thanks for getting what I am saying.

Yes, it does look that way.

It does not surprise me really, just the pick of Rahm was more than I expected.

He is not a grassroots netroots person.

The right wing of the party won the power.

[merh]

34. Obama does tolerate other voices

Maybe that is why he included Rahm.

[sandrakae]

6. Is this the guy who was in charge of selecting the congressional candidates in 2006?

[Leopolds Ghost]

25. The "Blue Dogs" yes. Mahoney et al. Rahm disliked guys like Kissell.

He ousted many of the Deaniacs in primaries because he figured liberals were sure losers in any district that didn't already have a liberal congressman.

And for the bluest districts? No liberals there either. Machine Dems or legacy Dems who need a sinecure to do fundraising, like Chris Van Hollen and Nancy Pelosi were chosen to keep those seats warm and avoid embarrassing liberals like Kucinich taking over those safely blue seats.

Didn't Rahm want Kucinich gone in the primaries? Or was that someone higher in the party?

[leftofthedial]

7. I'm not allowed to say "I don't like it."

So I'll just say thanks for giving me the bad news.








mods: please don't hurt me. I was just quoting some whiny Democrat hater when I said, "I don't like it."

[cali]

9. really? you're not allowed? better tell skinner that.

you can say whatever you fucking please. just stop the whinging and stop expecting people to praise everything you say here.

[leftofthedial]

10. sorry. I didn't mean to whing.

I'll be quiet again. Just don't yell at me anymore.

You're right. The DLC is good. The DLC is great.
I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever. I will not criticize Obama again ever.

Can I please go to the bathroom now?

[cali]

11. whinge, whinge, whinge. patuckingthetic

as well as predictably dishonest and dim as hell. criticize all you wish. just don't whinge on about how no one will let you speak when it's a transparently stupid lie.

[LanternWaste]

16. The persecution complex is strong in this one

The persecution complex is strong in this one, Obi-Wan... :P




Hey-- why should we (me) Christians be the only one to enjoy bleeding on the cross...? :hide:

[leftofthedial]

18. you'd think hell would be brighter, what with all the flames.

I had a thread locked yesterday. In it I simply asked what kind of change Rahm Emanuel represents. After all you faux-outrage junkies were done screaming, we actually had begun some good discussion about Rahm's qualifications for the job and Obama's possible strategies in naming a DLCer to that post. But then a few members of your screaming mob apparently found a gullible mod and had the thread locked.

As I said, officially, I'm not allowed to criticize Obama's decisions or call into question the merits of the DLC. That's not transparent. That's not a lie. That's what DU is now.

Be careful in life, cali, whom you accuse of dishonesty. Not everyone is as patient as I.

[IndianaJones]

12. loyal Obama friend and DLC'er. I am liking it. nt.

[JohnnyBoots]

13. I have a feeling he is going to have to check his DLC bags at the door and enforce any policy

Obama tells him too. I think he was picked for his loyalty, toughness and knowledge of DC workings. I trust that Obama didn't make this decision lightly and has a myriad of reasons for picking him that we will never know about.

[IndianaJones]

14. that would probably be the feeling of many that don't like the DLC. nt

[Leopolds Ghost]

20. I take it you want the DLC in charge n/t

[IndianaJones]

21. I like to see them in positions of influence, not necessarily in charge.

they represent a large portion of the party. I think Obama will have a wide range of political views in his administration. I don't have a problem with that.

[Leopolds Ghost]

26. I don't have a problem with Blue Dogs, just their politics. The DLC however is a "Club for Growth"

type organization that seeks to supplant other ideologies in the party. Such as, y'know, anything that benefits "special interests".

some of the Blue Dogs are actual populists, like Heath Shuler and Murtha and Webb and Tester. Their philosophy is the inverse of the DLC's.

[Jack_Dawson]

22. Good. I like Rahm.

:beer:

[greguganus]

24. Keep drinking. n/t

[Jack_Dawson]

29. Keep hating n/t

[Ilsa]

27. I'm fine with it. I think he is a tough guy for a tough job. We need to wish

him well in this. This job is one that can eat you up with stress. If President-elect Obama trusts him with the job, then I am thrilled that he is willing to do it.

[earth mom]

35. God damn it!

:grr:

[riverdeep]

36. I'm guessing he picked Rahm because of qualities that don't

necessarily have to do with policy. If Obama needed someone he could trust, who he's known personally for a long time, who knows where the bodies are buried, and who's disciplined and an enforcer, then Rahm is a decent enough choice. When you look at past Cheif of Staff's, the successful ones are typically in that mold, Jim Baker for one, who made sure Bush the Dimmmer won Florida. Rahm is that same take no prisoners kind of guy, maybe that's why he picked him.

I hope that's the case, because I'm still a Deaniac. I actually still think he could've won in 2004, if he had had the party with him.

I'm willing to give him a chance before I start firing; getting as far as he has with what the McCain campaign threw at him, while remaining unflappable, means that he has earned my trust, for now.