Rahm Emanuel enjoys being the bad guy (LAT)

[jefferson_dem]

Rahm Emanuel enjoys being the bad guy
The Illinois congressman, Obama's pick to be White House chief of staff, is best known as something of a Democratic political assassin.
By Naftali Bendavid

November 6, 2008

Reporting from Washington — Rep. Rahm Emanuel might not appear to be the obvious choice for White House chief of staff for a president-elect who speaks eloquently of setting aside partisan differences and bringing the country together.

The Illinois congressman, after all, is best known as something of a Democratic political assassin. From his days as a top aide to President Clinton to his recent role leading the Democrats to a House majority, Emanuel has relentlessly attacked his foes and gone ruthlessly after anyone who stood in his way.

Perhaps precisely because Obama seems likely to adopt a unifying posture as president, he may need someone practiced in the art of political hardball.

Republican strategist John Feehery -- who worked for former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and former House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel as well as former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay -- said Emanuel could help prevent House Democrats from overreaching.

"He understands that if Obama goes too far to the left, it's not going to be good for the Democrats," Feehery said. "I think he's the kind of guy who can knock some heads and help Obama guide the Congress toward the middle. . . . You will need a bad cop to Obama's good cop, and Rahm will fill that role quite nicely."

Emanuel's policies, unlike his politics, have always been centrist, in the Bill Clinton mold. In addition, a different Emanuel has emerged in recent years, one who has forged friendships with Republicans and shown an ability to work with them on occasion.

Emanuel was born in Chicago and kicked off his political career working for such powerhouses as Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and former Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois before joining Clinton's 1992 presidential run.

Along the way, Emanuel earned a reputation for a colorful intensity unusual even in the hard-hitting world of politics. His profanity is legendary and seems designed in part to throw his interlocutors off-balance.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-emanuel6-2008nov06,0,3718535.story

[annabanana]

1. The job was offered and HE HASN'T ACCEPTED YET?

NBC says he was offered the job but there has not been a response yet.. How the hell can this gap exist? If there's any hint of hesitation on Emmanuel's part, he doesn't deserve the job.

[Avalux]

12. I can't fault him for the hesitation.

He has a family to consider and he made that very clear. They currently live in Chicago and he commutes; taking the position would mean uprooting and moving them to DC.

In fact, I am glad to hear this from him. Unlike Palin who famously said she didn't blink when asked to be VP; didn't even consider her family.

[mdavies013]

2. Any one else tired of this, he has to govern at the center crap...

Obama should do everything that he pledged to do. I am sick of this centrist crap. They want to box him in at the beginning. In addition MSM is raising the bar as high as they can (I call it the reverse Palin).

[jefferson_dem]

3. I trust President Obama to do the right thing.

He has exercised stellar judgment so far and has been honest about the challenges we face...and the fact that he will never please all the people all the time.

So...chillax.

[1corona4u]

5. Sure, why not go all the way to the left, and lose all of those people

who just voted for Obama. :sarcasm:

I see nothing wrong with being a bit centrist. But then again, I'm an Independent.

[whosinpower]

6. Another way to think about this

If Obama surrounds himself with "yes" men and women, who will not challenge his positions from time to time - then he will be out of touch, because he will only see and hear one point of view. I think that is one of the downfalls of a presidency, in a sense the president becomes insulated - and Bush required bobbleheads for advisors - so this is a departure from that.

That can have dangerous consequences, and we need only look at the Bush administration to see how that worked out.

I think we saw some of what his leadership will be during the debates. He often agreed with McCain, and found common ground from which to work with, and then promote his position. I believe this type of diplomatic leadership will be a major gamechanger in domestic and world politics. It is change personified.

I would not see Rahm's nomination as a direct drift to center-right. Obama is president - not Rahm. And listen - if it does not work out as Obama wishes - he can always fire the guy.

[MtUpWithWngsAsEgles]

7. A lot of what he pledged...

was centrist. In his first term he is going to have to make sure he is in position for a second term. Going to far to the left will scare away current supporters.

I trust in Obama to stand above it all an do what is best for America. This is not about liberal vs conservative. Haven't you been listening?

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Obama camapigned as a centrist

He opposed single-payer, universal health care.

He promised to increase the size of the military.

He opposed same-sex marriages.

[Virginia Dare]

14. He campaigned as a unifier...

it seems lots of people here will resist that. Shame.

[wyldwolf]

15. no one's resisting that, but the common centrist theme of the last 20 years has been..

... "the common good."

The DLC's Ed Kilgore wrote this in 2006 - and it describes Obama perfectly:

http://www.thedemocraticstrategist.org/newdonkey/2006/04/the_politics_of_higher_common.html

[wyldwolf]

11. everything he's pledged to do has been, well, centrist

[Virginia Dare]

13. You're still thinking inside the box..

Obama envisions a whole new movement, devoid of the left-right-center labels. He wants to find common ground among all ideologies. It's a tall order, but we all need to let go of our prejudices in order to let it happen. Electing him was step one.

[Hope And Change]

4. Interesting article.Thanks for posting jefferson_dem!K & R!

[wyldwolf]

8. RAHMBO!

[Jennicut]

10. Only the Rethugs ever portrayed Obama as "far left", He is not

He is moderate left and will probably govern that way. To me, he is a bit more liberal then Bill Clinton was. He is not a member of the DLC but I feel that in his cabinet it would be a good idea to have liberals, DLC's and even Repubs. Its time to work together, not isolate one group from another. Obama kept saying he wanted to rise above the old politics so I think that is his path. Hear ideas from many different sides and then come to a consensus. He did this as a community organizer, was able to bring different groups together. As far as Emmanuel goes, this is the media playing this, dying for info. Its been one freakin day. The initial staff will be in place by the end of next week. Sometimes I hate 24 news. Presidents used to be able to take some time in picking their staff. Geez.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

16. Why is he keeping Obama on the fence and making the transition look foolish? nt