Is Rahm Emanuel “Obama’s brain?”

[Cyrano]

Karl Rove was called “Bush’s brain” because it was obvious that Bush lacked one.

Obama, on the other hand, may well be the most intelligent man to ever occupy the White House. And although he has accomplished many things, he has disappointed us on the major issues we find most important such as: universal health care; jobs; and strict regulations and oversight of banks and Wall Street.

None of us can possibly know what goes on in the White House, or who is influencing decisions. But we can all see the policies being followed, the actions being taken, and the issues that are being ignored.

Obama was a year late in “getting angry” about the health care situation. He has bailed out banks and Wall Street, both of which continue to screw us while he does nothing to put a stop to it. And he is allowing our infrastructure decay more and more every single minute of every single day, even though rebuilding it could create millions of jobs.

Yeah, I know. Cost is an issue. So get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan and the money will be there.

But here’s my real question. Is Obama really running the country? Or is he allowing Rahm Emanuel’s neocon world view influence his decisions? Then again, does he share Emanuel’s world view? I really don’t know. What do you think?

[jefferson_dem]

1. Answer: No.

There's so much of "teh crazy" in your OP that I won't even start.

Except for this: So now Rahm is a "neocon"? Good grief. :eyes:

[Political Heretic]

12. Neocon is the wrong word. Neoliberal would be the technical term -

Economically Rahm represents as neoliberal agenda, which makes him highly conservative across many critical policy areas.

[KittyWampus]

2. No, this is highly offensive. Why DU allows this crap is beyond me. Oh, and Rahm is not a neocon

[jaxx]

5. I agree 100%.

This constant putting down of the Democratic President is making some look like crybabies. Thread after thread, nasty comments....one wanted to know if they felt like they'd voted for a repub.

[Vincardog]

44. Why is saying that he shares Emanuel’s world view a put down? I think it is a fact. Unfortunately

[jaxx]

49. C'mon he called him Obama's brain.

That is just bullshit and we all know it.

[Vincardog]

51. Er he ASKED a QUESTION. He went on to say that O had a brain and wonder if Rahm only reflected O's

world views. BOTH valid and worthy questions. What do YOU think?

[Cyrano]

52. Thanks for your post, Vincardog. Unfortunately, many people

read only a headline and then neglect to read, or comprehend, the content of a post.

I can't say for sure, but I believe that may be the case in some of the responses on this thread. I'd say more on this subject, but if I stated my full opinion on this issue, the moderators would kill it.

Hell, even that second sentence may get this post buried.

[jefferson_dem]

7. I totally agree.

This is OTT in my opinion. Nowhere near the sort of "constructive criticism" DU should promote.

[Political Heretic]

9. DU allows it because substantive criticism of Democrats is encouraged and welcome

That's a direct quote from Skinner. Apparently, DU admins are not afraid to hear dissent, and believe that criticism - even when its not always perfect and sometimes it makes others uncomfortable - actually strengthens us, rather than weakens us.

[KittyWampus]

10. You know damned full well saying Rahm is Obama's Brain isn't substantive criticism.

If you don't, you have a problem.

[Political Heretic]

19. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it substantive.

Substantive doesn't even have to be "right." Since this is a matter of opinion and values, not empirical objective facts, there is no "right."

I think describing Rahm and Obama's brain could certainly make some sense, seeing as how Rahm is so actively setting the presidential agenda and driving the scope and parameters of policy for this White House. Not perfectly, and not without any disagreement - certainly there are other figures.

But I think it seems fairly fair to say he has become the chief architect of the Obama administration, just like Rove of the last administration.

And he is about as big of an asshole, too.

[jefferson_dem]

15. Suggesting the Democratic President has no brain and that his CoS is a maniacal "neocon"...

= substantive criticism ... in your opinion. Ok.

[Political Heretic]

26. Of course, that's not what the article said.

The article stated explicitly that Obama is probably the smartest man to ever reside in the white house. (I think that's probably a bit of a flattering exaggeration, but whatever.) Then explained what it meant in calling Rahm Obama's brain - meaning he was the most influential and chief architect of this administration.

As I said before, neocon is the wrong word for Rahm. Neoliberal and conservative would be more accurate.

But one slightly inaccurate (and its only slightly inaccurate) choice of words doesn't erase the rest of the article.

Basically, you don't like the opinion. And there's nothing more or less to it than that.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. Not a neo-con. A neo-lib, same thing without the swagger.

[Political Heretic]

27. Exactly. Which is why the mistake in word is a minor foul. Neoliberal is highly accurate.

[mod mom]

45. This provides the main points of neo-libs-seems to ft (former investment banker) rahm:

The main points of neo-liberalism include:

THE RULE OF THE MARKET. Liberating "free" enterprise or private enterprise from any bonds imposed by the government (the state) no matter how much social damage this causes. Greater openness to international trade and investment, as in NAFTA. Reduce wages by de-unionizing workers and eliminating workers' rights that had been won over many years of struggle. No more price controls. All in all, total freedom of movement for capital, goods and services. To convince us this is good for us, they say "an unregulated market is the best way to increase economic growth, which will ultimately benefit everyone." It's like Reagan's "supply-side" and "trickle-down" economics -- but somehow the wealth didn't trickle down very much.

CUTTING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES like education and health care. REDUCING THE SAFETY-NET FOR THE POOR, and even maintenance of roads, bridges, water supply -- again in the name of reducing government's role. Of course, they don't oppose government subsidies and tax benefits for business.

DEREGULATION. Reduce government regulation of everything that could diminsh profits, including protecting the environmentand safety on the job.

PRIVATIZATION. Sell state-owned enterprises, goods and services to private investors. This includes banks, key industries, railroads, toll highways, electricity, schools, hospitals and even fresh water. Although usually done in the name of greater efficiency, which is often needed, privatization has mainly had the effect of concentrating wealth even more in a few hands and making the public pay even more for its needs.

ELIMINATING THE CONCEPT OF "THE PUBLIC GOOD" or "COMMUNITY" and replacing it with "individual responsibility." Pressuring the poorest people in a society to find solutions to their lack of health care, education and social security all by themselves -- then blaming them, if they fail, as "lazy."

Around the world, neo-liberalism has been imposed by powerful financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. It is raging all over Latin America. The first clear example of neo-liberalism at work came in Chile (with thanks to University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman), after the CIA-supported coup against the popularly elected Allende regime in 1973. Other countries followed, with some of the worst effects in Mexico where wages declined 40 to 50% in the first year of NAFTA while the cost of living rose by 80%. Over 20,000 small and medium businesses have failed and more than 1,000 state-owned enterprises have been privatized in Mexico. As one scholar said, "Neoliberalism means the neo-colonization of Latin America."

In the United States neo-liberalism is destroying welfare programs; attacking the rights of labor (including all immigrant workers); and cutbacking social programs. The Republican "Contract" on America is pure neo-liberalism. Its supporters are working hard to deny protection to children, youth, women, the planet itself -- and trying to trick us into acceptance by saying this will "get government off my back." The beneficiaries of neo-liberalism are a minority of the world's people. For the vast majority it brings even more suffering than before: suffering without the small, hard-won gains of the last 60 years, suffering without end.

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=376

[Greyhound]

3. No, his ears and eyes. CoS is literally the gatekeeper, who and what Obama

sees and hears is finally determined by Rahm.

[Mari333]

4. I have wondered that myself....:)

[EFerrari]

6. More like Obama's Blinkers maybe. n/t

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Now that's woo.... I should know. n/t

[Lerkfish]

11. no, but he's obviously going along with Rahm's POV on various things

which probably just means they are sympatico in their policy opinions, which was why Obama put him there.

Unfortunately, the one similarity with Rove is only that Rahm and Obama become their own echo chamber that is shutting out more progressive agendas.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. If so, he needs a transplant.

[Cyrano]

14. From some of the intitial replies at the top, I take it we are not

supposed to question our leaders, but march in lockstep like good Republicans do.

Sorry, but questioning authority is a basic right. And I doubt if DU would ever require that we not do so.

[KittyWampus]

16. you didn't "question our leaders". You reduced Obama to a puppet outright.

[Cyrano]

21. All I can say is, try reading the OP again. I don't believe Obama is

a puppet of any kind. And I find your post as offensive as you find mine.

[havocmom]

23. You call it a potato I call it a spud. End game: Trying to silence others is undemocratic

[Political Heretic]

29. Nonsensical.

[jefferson_dem]

22. Put down your cross and step into reality.

Nobody said DUers must march lock-step with the Administration. But when you suggest President Obama has no brain (I won't even get into WHY I have a major problem with that insult) and he is simply a Manchurian tool for some maniacal "neocon" handler, expect to be called out. Deal with it.

[Political Heretic]

31. Reality = whatever I agree with, or say.

k.

[jefferson_dem]

36. Reality =

Reality.

One who fixates on a supposed Manchurian President and a "neocon" puppetmaster in the White House is not living in it. Sorry if my pointing that out offends you.

[Political Heretic]

54. You pointing out your opinion doesn't offend me

I simply recognize it for what it is.

[Lerkfish]

17. further, Rahm is NOT a neocon... but he is DLC

which could be considered the democratic version of the neocons: they are the kingmakers and they control the message.
but there the similarity ends

[mod mom]

43. ok, then neo-lib

which in my opinion is just about as bad because they attempt to fool Dems into believing they are working for the benefit of the base.

[Lerkfish]

50. yeah, pretty much.

[Scurrilous]

20. No.

:thumbsdown:

[muffin1]

24. Obama needs to cut Rahm loose, IMO. n/t

[Marr]

25. I don't understand the anger at Emanuel.

Obama hired him for a reason. Blaming Rahm Emanuel for Administration policy is like blaming the projectionist for a shitty movie.

[Political Heretic]

28. You fundamentally misunderstand how politics and administrations work.

Aside from that, anyone who class the one group of people actively committed to social and economic justice and raising the issues of the poor and working class "fucking retarded" becomes my enemy.

[Marr]

34. I'm not saying I'm a fan of Rahm Emanuel.

I'm saying Obama picked him because he shares his outlook. I've no doubt that a Chief of Staff has quite a bit of influence in terms of passing out access, but Obama is not an idiot. I don't think he's controlled by Rahm Emanuel, I think he agrees with him.

Blaming Rahm Emanuel for Barack Obama's policy decisions is just whipping boy bullshit.

[dflprincess]

40. Obama hired him to take the heat off himself

Rahm gets all the blame from the left when really the two of them are peas in a pod.

[cali]

30. Yes, Obama is really running the country.

[Political Heretic]

32. That's a shame

Since its being run so badly.

[cali]

37. Whether it's a shame or not, it's the reality and all this silly crapola

about the shadowy Rahm running the country is nonsense. duh.

[dionysus]

33. not this shit again...

:eyes:

[Ozymanithrax]

35. No, he is Obama's enforcer. Rahm is doing what Obama tells him to do...

His job as chief of staff is to be the President's Son of a Bitch. I think he is overqualifed for the job.

[Warpy]

38. No, that's insulting. Rahm is his gatekeeper, though

and given the man's prejudices, is unlikely to let any nasty old liberals in to see the president to affect his decisions.

[Nite Owl]

39. Yes, I think he definitely does

share Emmanuel's views. He is DLC, a corporate dem. He knew he could never win an election as one and it was all deception. He knew very well what he was doing, he moved very quickly after the election to set the tone.

[bvar22]

41. No. Rahm is Obama's "Consigliore".

He works for "The Boss" and does what he is told.
They're FROM Chicago, fer crist's sake.

[mod mom]

42. No, President Obama is truly intelligent unlike the previous guy. Rahm is Obama's

naked(-sorry but had to throw that icky thought in) thug.

[AlinPA]

46. Emanuel a neocon? No. Obama's brain? Hell No.

[tularetom]

47. Emanuel was hired to placate the Clinton wing of the party who had their doubts about Obama

and to keep the congressional blue dogs in line (since he is responsible for getting most of them elected).

He has done a piss poor job so far.

Emanuel isn't a neocon. He's a neo-asshole and it's way past time Obama dumped this piece o shit.

And don't tell me he reflects the president's thinking is insulting Obama's intelligence.

[Jefferson23]

48. No, of course not. I don't understand why Rahm takes so much heat,

when it was Obama who hired him. I can't figure out why anyone believes Obama is unhappy with Emanuel's performance.

[HopeHoops]

53. One word: Anus

[Cyrano]

58. Shakespeare said that "brevity is the soul of wit." Unless no one

knows what you're talking about.

As the OP, I can only wonder if your comment refers to Emanuel, Obama, or me. Perhaps you would care to elaborate.

[HopeHoops]

60. Emanuel

[Raine]

55. No, Rahm just carries out Obama's orders

and takes the flack for them.

[upi402]

56. Obama is smart, he CHOSE his team

he is a corporatist and responsible. Unlike 'Special George'.

[opihimoimoi]

57. Not even close....why does the GOP go all out convincing the World they are beyond Reason? we should

have a Pub Reason Rehab thingy...they being UnReasonable most of the time

[Geek_Girl]

59. I don't think so. I think Rahm is a shield.

I don't believe Obama is heavily influenced by Rahm I think he probably is closer to Rahm on the political spectrum and shares a similar world view.

Rahm functions as a scapegoat so the left will just blame Rahm instead of the head guy for the more conservative policies.