Rahm Emanuel's Replacement: Just A 'Seat-Warmer'?

A host of Chicago politicians are lining up to run for Rahm Emanuel's soon-to-be-vacant Congressional seat. But the lucky winner may only have the office for a single term, Greg Hinz reports in Crain's Chicago Business.

The reason, Hinz says, is because of talk that Emanuel might only serve as Obama's chief of staff for two years and would like to return to his old seat upon leaving the White House:

[T]here's an intriguing wrinkle in the race for Mr. Emanuel's seat: talk that he really only wants to serve as chief of staff for two years, and wants a mere seat-warmer who would give the job back when Rahm so requests.

Mr. Emanuel's spokeswoman terms that talk "false and ridiculous." But at least one source, who claims to have discussed the possibility with Rahmbo personally, says he really was reluctant to give up the seat and really would like to keep his options open to reclaim it down the road.

If that talk is true, look for municipal finance banker John Borovicka, Mr. Emanuel's chief of staff, to run for the House and for Mr. Emanuel to cut lots of Chicago-style deals to get it for him. (Mr. Borovicka, who also has never run for anything, says he's thinking about running but has "no plans" to seek it.)

Comments

[bosse]

its amazing any of my comments with slight anti Israeli twist will not get published even on Huuf Post!
Wonder who is in control here as elesewhere!

[FrocioAlbanese]

I have known John Borovicka for many years and in my opinion he cannot be trusted and should never hold high office. If you met him, you would think he is charming. If you spent enough time around him, you would see that he puts his own ambitions above any particular set of principles.

[cadawa]

Unless this is a case of keeping your friends closer and your enemies closer, Emmanuel was a poor choice. His Zionist rootswill make it difficult for Obama to appear even handed when one of his closest advisors has Zionist roots. Emmanuel fought in one of Israel's wars and maintains duel citizenship with Israel. His father was a member of Urgun, a terrorist organization that operated inside Palestine.

[beaupritchard]

I've seen Rahm in this "strangely disturbing" pose several times now ... what's up with that.

[westreal]

He seems to be analyzing his opponent before deciding on which part to eat. The arms or the legs.

[drayntx]

I don't know much about this man's personality or record but.. he really CREEPS me out. It doesn't "feel" like he belongs on Obama's team.

[vandegrasse]

Why does this man remind me of an alien character on Star Trek? Hmmm! Have no idea, but he does!

[OsamaBushLadin]

Quark

[jacqmac]

I've read three or maybe even FOUR 'conspiracy theory' comments. First of all, YOU don't know what is REALLY going on any more than the PRESS does, so take the garlic necklaces off and put away the silver crucifixes, we'll let you know when to be really afraid.
HEY--GUESS WHAT?? TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES SAID THAT THE WAR IS OVER AND THE ECONOMY IS GROWING AND EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL AGAIN!! Happy now?

I cannot get over the image of those who didn't get INSTANTLY HAPPY on November 4, and by that I mean, Obama was going to wave his magic wand and EVERYTHING WOULD BE WONNNNNDERFUL and we'd all be able to GO BACK TO SLEEP FOR ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS!!
HOGWASH!! Colossal HORSE HOCKEY! Now that you're awake, it's time to get out of bed and get dressed!! Time to SUIT UP AND SHOW UP FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS!!

[Shieldmaiden]

This is why democrats almost always lose. It has been a mere 8 days and they are freaking out and going on mad tirades about stuff the press is MAKING UP. Have you heard official word from the Obama team since Friday? No? Then please, I beg you - shut up, calm down, show some trust until there is an ACTUAL screw up, and realize that the next four years are going to be the hardest four years of your life.

You think the campaign was hard? Welcome to governing folks. Welcome to making tough choices, and actually sacrificing for your country. Obama needs us as much as we need him. This is not going to work if we whine and moan. Obama is not going to go George Bush on us and as us to go shopping. This is NOT that presidency people. This is going to hurt, and it will be hard, and Obama will make mistakes, and we are going to fall on our faces. But we will not be able to get back up again if we give up 8 days into history and whine like children. Stop whining, have some hope, and get ready for the hard work.

[pupbayer]

Boy, this guy is an egomaniac, isn't he? Perhaps his district deserves serious representation not just "seat warming." Perhaps he should grow up and learn we all have to make decisions and accept the consequences of those decisions. If he doesn't want to lose his seat then he shouldn't leave it. What a bozo.

[brynn6]

You are aware that this entire article is just speculation aren't you? RE a bozo? Are you in for a shock.

[Geranium]

He always looks like a naughty 12 year old who just did something REALLY bad.

[KillBillV2]

I'd just like to say I'd like to have a THREESOME with Rahm and Obama! W00t!

*ahem* what?

[pupbayer]

If you have your homework done you really should get to bed. School comes early.

[KillBillV2]

Yay! My crush has arrived! I knew that post would grab your attention!

XOXO PupBayer!

[Lulubelle1]

Fact: Many of us voted for Barack Obama because we felt he was the most intelligent, centered, wise, and mission-appropriate candidate.
Fact: All presidents need an effective Chief of Staff in order to help "git 'r done."
Fact: Emmanuel is an experienced Chief of Staff with a reputation for getting things done, and not being easily overpowered by those of opposing views.
Fact: Rahm Emmanuel is Obama's current choice for Chief of Staff.
Fact: Obama has a wide variety of loyal friends, acquaintances, and experts available and actively consulting with him.
Fact: We are not privy to private conversations or contractual arrangements between Obama and Emmanuel.

So from the above facts, we can deduce little about Obama and Emmanuel's intentions for the length of his service in that role. Emmanuel may, in fact, be the lead CoS "showing the ropes" to someone to follow. Emmanuel may be the jump start for an active administration, giving way within a year or two to someone else once momentum has been established.

Can we stop trashing Emmanuel, doubting Obama's perceptions, and jumping to conclusions based on rumors, rather than fact? We're backseat driving in situations like this, and it is not of assistance to our president-elect, or the country. Wait 'til we know something before we all get our shorts in a bunch.

[jacqmac]

These unsubstantiated rumors are beginning to sound like deliberate ways to sabotage a Presidency that has not even started yet. Just heard a BIG talk-down on Rachel Maddow's show about this type of speculative journalism/reportage. Guess what? IT ain't NO DRAMA OBAMA for nothing!! Just because YOU might want more DRAMA in this next 70 days, doesn't mean that Obama or his administration in transition are obligated to give it to you .. GO TO THE THEATER IF YOU WANT DRAMA!!

[Plowboy]

The fact is that many of us Illinois Democrats have long held unfavorable views of Emanuel. I note that Molly Ivins did too. He is not what Obama promised to be. HJe is just another Neocon. He, Hillary, Joe Biden and Joe Lieberman were all too quick to yield to whatever Wolfowitz, Bolton, Cheney and that crime gang wanted. They fought Howartd Dean tooth and nail -- and now we see that they are gaining power!?
I was disappointed with the Biden selection. The Emanuel selection is even worse.
So tell mer that Obama is still thje change we voted for. So far, frankly it doesn't look like it! So far, it is beginning to look like plus ça change, plus c'est le meme chose!

[canobserv]

Exactly.....
hufpo has a headline "Rahm Emmanuel: Obama's Sarah Palin?" Not only is this very trashy...but it's an attack...everyone wanted Obama to win and now they want him to fail....Very American

[brynn6]

No kidding! To put those two in the same sentence is an insult to sentences everywhere.

[mmmd]

No to Rahm, yes to change.

[GingersPawPaws]

wow

[Salon]

Smug, calculating, self-serving

[afram1]

People who are talking don't really know,

and people who know aren't talking.

[6bd]

historically speaking...... 2 year terms aren't uncommon

[Salon]

Is that a joke?

[foxisms]

Anyone who wants things both ways has a tendency to be hard for me to like. The self serving becomes more apparent while serving the country becomes a secondary consideration. We don't need this in America just now. Regardless of how much potential Rahm may have to be effective as Obama's Chief of Staff in the short run, his ambition and lack of total commitment to the mission at hand is bound to become a liability to the President or the country at some inconvenient point in time. You heard it here first.