Obama Roasts Rahm Emanuel At 2005 Fundraiser (VIDEO)

Recently, CSPAN rebroadcast a roast from 2005 where Barack Obama takes on his future White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Discussed are Rahm's past with ballet and the accident in which Rahm lost his middle finger, a loss that Obama said essentially rendered Rahm mute.

WATCH:

Comments

[mumrock]

Great comparison upthread, comparing Barack's dry wit to that of Johnny Carson's.

I see no reason why SNL can't still flourish under an Obama administration. Barack has the understated wit of Kevin Nealon-- such a relief after eight years of having Adam Sandler in the White House! There will be plenty of over-the-top characters for SNL to surround him with: Joe Biden, Rahm, and I'm sure Ayers and Rev. Wright will rear their heads.

[annecognito]

I like the fact that Rahm himself completely lost it at the "practically mute" line. He may be a hardass but he seems to have a good sense of humor, too.

[cmonppl]

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2008/11/07/3/a-rebroadcast-of-a-conversation-with-ezekiel-ari-and-rahm-emanuel

[Lola1977]

So what was that crap about Obama meaning the death of Israel? Now I've read some morons saying that Obama will be too pro-Israel with his addition of Emanuel.

[Esot3ric]

"...rendered him practically mute".

Hahahahahahaha. Brilliant!

[Madmac]

Virtually mute...Priceless!!!

[BlackJAC]

The Massachusetts political establishment does the same thing every year on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day.

[LennyD]

I have followed Rahm all through this election process and before. He is intelligent, not given to stupid angry outbursts, and one whose heart is in the right place. He is an excellent choice to be Chief of Staff, and will handle that job well. He is a superb debater, and has the ability to take the puff out of arrogant, bloated politicians, who live on unsupported generalizations. Remarkable man.

[redsongia]

Jews like to cuss alot, it seems. What can I say. I have no insight into my people, I just notice this is true.

[mercuryguy]

Very funny, thanks for the video huffpo!!

[koulflo]

Every President needs an as#h&le. Emmauel is the right choice.
see
http://koulflo.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/emmanuel-yes-summers-no/

[LennyD]

Koulflo: So sorry you had to exhaust your vocabulary in one comment.

[thepianodiva]

That was really funny, IMO. He has a very clever and wry sense of humor-reminded me of Johnny Carson! Isn't it great to have a really smart person in the White House who will surround himself with other really smart people!

[Seattlelite]

Rham put his own ambitions aside to take this job. Thanks Rham for putting your "country first". Obama's is certainly going to need a guy like Rham -- the republicans are behind closed doors as we speak plotting how to make O's life a hell.

[shaytoonee]

rahm and President Obama are a perfect match. They will balance each other out.

Thank God we are gonna have a government that will work. YES WE CAN

[FACINGREALIT]

It is sort of prophetic that Daly said Obama stated that he would not run in 4 years but Daly said he didn't say anything about 3 years 8 months and so many days and here he is president and that Rohm called Obama a very dear friend back in 2005 and now he is his COS.