Rahm may be an asshole, but he's our asshole

[Taverner]

Yes, the guy sounds like a grade-A whackjob with an anger management problem. Welcome to DC.

I could tell you story after story of many Congresscritters and associated Pols from our party who get mad and go apeshit. Let me tell you about LBJ, and how he used to hold dogs up to reporters and ask them to comment on said dog's balls. He used to take reporters into the bathroom while taking a dump. He also used to hit reporters.

Clinton was known to go utterly apeshit when mad. If you crossed him, expect to be torn limb from limb.

Those are just the more known ones.

Thing is Rahm is a repentant DLCer, like Hillary, like Bill. Like Howard Dean I might add. They all have learned where DLC politics go.

My guess is Rahm will serve 6 months tops. He doesn't like someone else being his boss, and will tolerate working for someone as long as it helps his career.

But in the short term, he will do his job. He will put together a White House that has the 'smartest fuckers in the room.' Just because the man is an asshole, doesn't mean he doesn't know how to negotiate.

Also expect a gaffe or twelve.

But a pitbull at first is a nice aggressive strategy for a new President with a Mandate. Mandates don't last, and you have to capitalize on them right away.

[Mme. Defarge]

1. Damn Straight!

[cliffordu]

2. Yep - just listening to the howls of the pipsqueaks in congress snivel and whine about

his selection is very satisfying....

[Captain Hilts]

3. Our mandate is now running for two elections. Rahm is perfect for this job. nt

[MaryBear]

4. Hello, Taverner -- could you please give examples

to back up your word choices in describing Rahm?

Also, will he be giving up his own seat to serve in the White House?

Forgive me if all this is well known.

I have been offline a while, and your post caught my eye.

-mb

[Taverner]

6. Oh I was just thinking of the decomposing fish and knife stories

Don't get me wrong - I like him, and am glad I don't have to work with him

IF there is one thing we absolutely know about Obama right now, its that he knows how to put together a team.

[dflprincess]

7. And some links to where the DLCers have seen the error of their ways (eom)

[Taverner]

8. Do you see Rahm and Hillary pushing Iraq still? How about Dean?

In fact he was the first to jump off the DLC bandwagon

Look at the DLC site now - their only issue is lowering taxes

The DLC is dead

[dflprincess]

10. Just because they aren't adversting it doesnt mean they still don't think the same way

I haven't seen many actions on their parts (except Howard Dean - who Emanuel wasn't happy with) to make me think they've actually changed. And I won't believe they've changed until I hear public acknowledgements that they were wrong and are sorry for the helping to create the mess we're in now.

[Taverner]

12. Well I'm not Bush and can't look into people's souls

But If they don't vote that way, then that's good enough

[bowens43]

5. Everyone needs an asshole.

try to live without one.....

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Don't expect to see him in the media hardly at all.

It's very atypical for a White House CoS to be involved directly in any kind of media or press coverage. I also don't think he's leaving Congress just for a 6 month gig.

I do, however, believe he'll be one hell of an effective asshole.

[Marr]

11. No, he isn't.

He's the DLC's asshole, and that's very problematic.