Rahm Emanuel Endorses Obama

Chicago Sun-Times :

For more than a year, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) has been hidiing under a table--his vivid imagery--to avoid picking between Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-IN.Y.) Though Emanuel, who is a superdelegate, is friends with Obama, he owes his political career to serving in the Clinton White House. Emanuel did repay the Clintons in part a year ago when Obama and Clinton were both in Selma, Alabama on the same day, speaking at different churches a block apart. Emanuel and his son showed up at the Clinton church. But Emanuel never did anything much in public view for Obama or Clinton.

Now that Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination, Emanuel on Wednesday is declaring his support for Obama, with whom they share David Axelrod as friend and political advisor. Emanuel called Clinton on Tuesday, the day Obama clinched. Emanuel was with Obama as he appeared at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference here. Now that Emanuel is unleashed, he can help shore up support for Obama in the Jewish community.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[BassMent]

So, ummmm..... this is it? The flood of superdelegates that was supposed to come out for Obama once he had the numbers? One guy?

There are still 139 who are undeclared. Come on, people! Get with the program!

Geez, does our party just LIKE to lose?

[findingthetruth]

Why NOW? Bill intimidated you to that extreme? Amazing what favors cause.

[Eric8869]

Rahm Emmanuel was one of the jerks who supported the DONT ASK DONT TELL decision. I'm not suprised he "waffled" until it was safe to choose one of the candidates.

He's a politician in the worst sense of the word.

[kay]

Furthermore, during a Senate vote Wednesday, Obama dragged Lieberman by the hand to a far corner of the Senate chamber and engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.
While it was unclear what the two were discussing, the body language suggested that Obama was trying to convince Lieberman of something and his stance appeared slightly intimidating.

Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.

Will wonders never cease? A Democrat who isn't terrified of Joe Leiberman?

[SCG]

We live in interesting times. Do you think that discussion was pertaining to his McSame support, and his future?

[chs1965]

Lieberman is irrelevant. No need to be upset over any thing he says or does.

[doc3osh]

Unfortunately, Lieberman is NOT irrelevant because the older Jewish comunity still really listens to him. While that represents less than 2% of voters nationwide, it represents a much higher percentage in Florida-- quite possibly enough to lose the state. I am sure there are many permutations where Obama can win without Florida, but it's not one of those states you just "write off" without careful consideration. So Lieberman needs to be dealt with in some fashion-- not necessarily "nicely", but in some fashion. What greatly saddens me about his behavior is, the things he's saying regarding Iran aren't even TRUE. At least if McCain really WERE better for Israel, I could at least understand where Lieberman is coming from, but he's actually just spreading Republican lies, using Israel as a wedge issue to siphon off Jewish voters to McCain, which is just so... sad.

[kay]

She bungled it. He can't bow to strong-arming. He wants to be President.

Concession, congratulations, private meeting, no press announcements. That's the approach.

She bungled it. He's not going to like being pushed, and he's going to push back.

You would think at some point she would stop underestimating her opponent.

[SCG]

I just thank god this "personality" isn't in the oval office.

[kay]

"You don’t bargain with the Presidential nominee. Even if you’re Hillary Clinton and you have 18 million votes, you don’t bargain.”

Ed Rendell

[Oeht]

Obama would rather lose without her, than win with her.

[steamboat]

No he wouldn't

[oncethere]

It's settled. All the angry Hillary supporters should vote for McCain, for in so doing they will be in the company of those who also put selfish interests above the good of the whole.

[scooperss]

House Democrats cut unemployment extension to fund wars
John Byrne
Published: Wednesday June 4, 2008

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Seeking to find a way to win over fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" members of their own caucus, House Democrats are planning to ax a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits to find a way to pay for the Iraq war.

The move comes against the wishes of the Senate: the unemployment benefit passed without incident there, with 75 senators supporting the final bill.

[ajax2]

Did he endorse before or after their AIPAC appearances?

[KeysDan]

Rahm Emanuel, as is his way, was working both sides, but with a tilt toward, fellow Chicagoan, Senator Obama. Rahm, moreover, is Nancy Pelosi's brains such as they are, including her "impeachment is off the table", a sound so sweet to Bush and Cheney that we can only imagine its delightful ring to them (and license to carry-on) on election night of 2006.

[NTO08]

I know...I think Emanuel and many like him, including Pelosi, are what is ruining the party...with these tools leading the show, and Obama endorsing the very symbols of "old" party ways, we know his cannned, pat message of "change" was pure bull.

Letting Bush run free is this and Pelosi's eternal sin...for Obama to now kiss up to these do-nothings means many will NEVER vote for him...

[dana94591]

Even if Pelosi said that impeachment is "off the table", I still have a fantasy of watching as Bush, Rice, Cheney and the like are dragged from the White House on January 20, 2009 and put into prison for war crimes. Forget impeachment. Send them all to the World Court for war crimes!!!

[cadawa]

I support the comment labling Emmanuel weasel. He has pulled the rug out from under progressive candidates and has done his best to drag the Democratic Party into the stone age.
He fancies himself a Democratic Karl Rove. If there is one thing the Democratic Party doesn't need is a slimy dirty trickster. What it needs is courage and clear thinking not the the knife in the back and sleezy operating style of Emmanuel.
His duel citizenship (US Israeli) and his positions on the Middle East (he fought in one of Israel's many wars) make him a liability. Israel's interests (stealing land from its neighbors, genocide and military aggression) harm not help the US. Our "unconditional" support of Israel has made us a target for terrorism for decades.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Clinton's ill advised and criminal saber rattling (it's a crime (domestic and international) under the Geneva Conventions to threaten a nation that has not threatened you) was Emmanuel's idea.
It must really chaff Emmanuel to have to bow to the inevitable. I imagine he will try to push Clinton onto Obama's ticket. Clinton is a disastrous choice for the Democrats as either president or veep. She's a lightening rod for the right wing. She will saddle Obama with her garbage and undermine his campaign.

[jneems]

Well, as the article said,....."Now that Emanuel is unleashed, he can help shore up support for Obama in the Jewish community". I don't know if that means that Emanuel will work to get the Jewish community to vote for Obama, or whether that means he will work to see that Obama does the will of Israel. Either way, I don't like Emanuel. I don't know how the Democratic party left its roots and is now being headed by the likes of him and McAuliffe and Pelosi and Reid. These people sure don't speak for me, nor do they represent any of my ideals.

[NTO08]

Emanuel is himself and himself alone a tool, like Pelosi and Reid...Hillary has no play here...
This says more about Obama that he would accept slimeballs like Emanuel...
Can't say you are operating outside the box then endorse the very scum who fucked up the party...

Off limits is criticizing his citizenship...

[steamboat]

What speculation ! Obama will pick Hillary as his running-mate and like it. He has no other choice. She controls 1/2 the party and his people know it. So she WILL be the choice and she WILL be the choice on HER conditions. THATS A FACT !

[dm92]

this is why countries have civil wars

[PAposter]

yep!

[steamboat]

Who you kidding? You will be the first one cheering and LIKE IT.

[PAposter]

Yep, about Civil Wars, of course!

Civil War, now that's an oxymoron for the ages.

[KingGeorgetheTurd]

LOL, wanna bet?

Let me see, so far Hillary bots have been wrong 99999999 times about predicting the outcomes. (Delusions do that you know) and everything has gone just about how the Obamabots have said. So as another Obamabot to a Hillarybot , I wouldn't bet on it if I were you. But if you'd like, I would love to take your $$$. Better than wasting it on Mark Penn's unpaid donut tab.

[SCG]

News Flash: It's his choice.

[kay]

Gracious concession is a predicate to announcing to the media you want to be VP.

[SaskiaStars]

I can tell from your profile that you respond to authoritarian type of talk so here goes:

She DOES NOT control half the party - she does NOT OWN those votes - this is a DEMOCRACY not a kingdom. Barack Obama will decide who to ask and he will do it on HIS OWN terms. Barack Obama has been negotiating with her campaign to HELP HER PAY HER DEBTS - not something that he HAS TO DO! He is the epitome of class and grace and she is the epitome of delusion and desperation. THAT IS A FACT!!!!!

Got it Steam?

[TJct]

Do you have any evidence (links, research, etc.) to back up your claims as "FACT"? I don't mean propaganda videos or opinionated articles written by biased authors. I mean cold hard unbiased information. Poling data and the like.

I ask not to anger or to disprove that you believe what you say to be true. I just take issue with the constant barrage of people from all sides, Clinton, Obama and McCain supporters alike, who claim what is really just their opinion as factual and binding to the rest of society.

What you see as factual for you and right for you is only that.

So, show me the evidence that proves that "She controls 1/2 the party" and show mt the research that says she "WILL be the choice", and show ME and others that you are trying to make a persuasive argument and perhaps then I will listen more closely to what you have to say.

[kay]

(SC Rep James) Clyburn told FOX News Radio’s "Brian and the Judge" that the callers identified themselves as Hillary Clinton supporters. Clyburn, an African-American and the third ranking House Democrat, said a white intern in his office was so upset by the calls that she had to be consoled by other workers and left the office early.

"We got more vitriolic, nasty phone calls, really racially tinged phone calls in my congressional office, so much so, until one of the interns, a young lady who is not a stranger to politics ... and she is not a black person, she left the office, had to be consoled because of the kinds of phone calls from people who identified themselves as Hillary Clinton supporters," he said.

"I was absolutely shocked, could not believe that this happened. I could understand people saying, ‘Why are you doing this or why would you not support Hillary Clinton?’ but to call me the kinds of names I have not heard since the ’40s and ’50s," he said.

She's got to talk them in from the ledge before she starts pressuring for the VP slot, I would think.

That's probably "Job One".

[Bluejay00234]

Wow, just disappointing.

[SCG]

Are the callers you discribe above the sort you want to make peace with? win or lose? I know my answer, and I wouldn't reward them.

[dm92]

This is America - in its full glory - we are the best of the best and, unfortunately, the worst of the worst. Ignorance has found a great and glorious home in the American psyche.

[steamboat]

I don't believe Clyburn.......(1) Hillary and her backers are NOT racists, and (2) any guy who calls a newsconference to announce who he's for like Clyburn did is a attention-seeking prima donna.

[cyndeewi]

Don't tell me that Hillary backers and supporters are not racist. Senator Clynburn is one of the nicest men that I have ever meet. He has stayed out of all this because of his feelings for Barack and Clinton. If he says that it happened then it did. Don't come on this post talking about him idiot!

[kay]

I never said Hillary and her backers were racists.

I said she should probably talk them in off the ledge.

The irony of your calling Clyburn an "attention seeking prima donna" in the context of this discussion is simply amazing.

Where's that gracious concession?

[TroubleNYC]

Do you know every single one of Hillary's backers personally?

[iluvsam]

There are nutcases everywhere. Whoever did that obviously isn't right in the head.

[kay]

Agreed. Should she talk them off the ledge?

[kay]

So, she's like SABER RATTLING to get the Vice Presidency? Is that it? This is persuasive, her approach.

VERY appealing.

Who advises her?

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

Karl Rove

[PAposter]

... sounds more perverse than anything.

[lisakaz2]

Exactly. She's bullying. Why would you want a bully on your ticket. It flies in the face of Obama's campaign entirely.

[kay]

Maybe I'm not as brilliant as HRC, but is there some strategy behind 1. not conceding, 2. not congratulating, 3. providing Republicans with a ready-made attack ad featuring....HRC, and then asking to for the VP slot?

Am I missing something here?

Doesn't this look like she's shooting herself in the foot?

[crotairlogan]

kay
There are probably few of us as bright as HRC. I think ther is something going on that we haven't been told. We're all missing something. Maybe. Let's wait and see. It's OB's call in the end she can say yes or no.

[kay]

Well, that's your opinion, "few of us as bright". Mine was more of a rhetorical question.

I don't know about what we "haven't been told" either. This thing hasn't exactly been subtle.

I can't find her concession speech. Did she release it yet? That's probably the predicate to vying for a JOB, wouldn't you say?

[Fabienne]

Someone I think I am as bright as Senator Clinton. I certainly never would have married a man like Bill Clinton, nor would I have run such an incompetent campaign, nor would I have been unable to recognize factual reality, nor would I continue to exacerbate my erstwhile rival if I wanted him to put me on his ticket.

[V4Vigilance]

Even in defeat, Hillary wants this to be all about her. Bow out gracefully? Fat f*ing chance!

[aofh]

I think it's about control. It doesn't matter what the ultimate terms are (VP is now the only available position) so long as she can control the situation. Nor does it matter what she has to do or suffer so long as she can control the situation, so long as she is calling the shots. It's the story of Echo: always having the last word.