Rahm Emanuel Challenges CEOs To Back Reform (VIDEO)

Rahm Emanuel made a rare public appearance at a Wall Street Journal CEO conference last night, where he challenged business leaders to join the new administration in working for real health care reform:

President-elect Barack Obama's incoming White House chief of staff challenged chief executives and other business leaders Tuesday night to join the new administration in a push for universal health care, saying incremental increases in coverage won't be acceptable.

"When it gets rough out there, a lot of business leaders get out of the car and say, 'We're OK with minor reform.' I'm challenging you today, we're going to have to do big, serious things," Rahm Emanuel said, speaking to The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council, a conference convened to elicit corporate opinion on the challenges facing the new president.

Since the president-elect named Mr. Emanuel his chief of staff, the famously voluble Chicago congressman has limited his public appearances and strained to stay out of the news. But on Tuesday night, he was combative with a business audience.

...

He stressed that the new administration would "throw long and deep," taking advantage of the economic crisis to push wholesale changes in health care, taxes, financial re-regulation and energy. "The American people in two successive elections have voted for change, and change cannot be allowed to die on the doorsteps of Washington," Mr. Emanuel said.

Watch:

Comments

[songbird02]

I really like Rahm Emmanuel. I think he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. He's smart, he's tough and he's going to have a great administration behind him. Sixty-two days and counting...

[omeo2013]

Ami I dreaming, or is Obama getting ready to make all the changes America has needed for decades? What's next? A sensible drug policy and an end to prohibition?

[paulbikes]

Ditto

[dutch163]

ah..I thought it was going to be "CEO reform"..as in "don't take gigantic bonuses when people are losing jobs"

[UpstateNY]

One of the major reasons that American companies (like the auto companies) are not as competitive as they should/could be are their enormous health insurance costs. AND closing companies or firing people or cutting out the insurance (like Wal-Mart does) doesn't help us as Americans because we have to cover many of these newly uninsurance with Medicaid.

Creating universal health care insurance (like the rest of the industrialized world) would help our corporations (except the health insurance companies) and help us as Americans. It's time - it's way past time!

[songbird02]

I agree... it is way past time!

[TJC]

Banks and Wall Street knew the risks fully and failed. GM, Ford and Chrysler turned down better engineering 35 years ago and they are again failing. The Obama team will bring thoughtful change. Those of you who are not listening will miss out. It will gain momentum in January.

[iceage7]

Love Rahm. He is saying it like it is. We are going Big. And aint no one stopping us now.

[JohnFromCensornati]

Probably shouldn't waste his time on Home Depot.

[pir anha]

actually, the founder of home depot (who made those idiotic remarks about shooting non-GOP retailers) resigned 6 years ago.

[JohnFromCensornati]

You may be right, but David Jones founded Humana here in Louisville. He resigned as chairman, but don't think that he doesn't still throw his weight around. He does.

[republifornian]

lol yea this will work, keep telegraphing the fact obama wants to punish the successful, thats why anybody with brians sold all stocks at the end of september, and cashed in your 401k's for either cash and or gold, sit on your money and wait it out, I wont let mine go to the libs. I will day trade and short sell until bo takes office and then I am cashing out for a while and will watch my money grow slow and steady while out of the reach of the democrats, there are so many tax shelters to use, like a 500 dollar charity deduction(even if you havent as you dont need a reciept), deduction for my home computer ( I use it for my small business) my work clothes, my mileage for my commute. be smart hire a tax person dont go to h&r block or one of those scammers, its your money you should keep it. dont let the gubmint rob you ever, you know what they say dont steal from the gubmint , they hate the competition, and bo is my competition, he wants what I have earned.

[Hallucinocynic]

Always interested in hearing a diverse opinion.

Your basic stance - you against the 'gubmint' - is rather shaky since you ARE the 'gubmint.' And government, whether you like it or not, will always exist in some form. If you think that there should be no government - anarchy? economic darwinism? - I doubt that you, personally, would be doing very well. I suspect some larger shark would have eaten you a long time ago.

This economic downturn provides an opportunity for everyone to reassess their stake in, and responsibility to the tribe. Those that decide to 'go it alone' are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem that has resulted in this massive financial adjustment.

[nikio1975]

Does your small business make over 250,000 a year? If not your taxes won't increase, you will get a break, but you probaly don't care just want a reason to complain about Obama. I can't afford to hire a tax person so I will do like I did last year and do my own taxes thru H&R website for free!!! This is why people voted for Obama because the way big business and government were doing things hasn't worked.

[Mannock]

And who are these people with brians?

[TGNY]

You are obviously as clueless as the rest of the GOP. You really believe the stock market continues to decline because O was chosen for president - REAL investors invest based on company forecasts, company stability and prior gain/loss reports. When was the last time you saw a positive report - that wasn't from Walmart. And if you new anything about taxes and O's proposed tax plan you wouldn't be talking so ignorantly. Go read a book or something.

YOUR president just sucked BILLIONS of dollars out of tax payers to give it to the top 2% of this country - and I am positive from your lack of intelligence you did not reap those benefits - you paid them as well.

[frantaylor]

I'm sure glad I don't have brians like you do.

[ToughEnough]

...the new administration would "throw long and deep," ....

The conservative defense is waiting for that one!!!

[myangeldog1]

....and there are two flags on the field for interference and unsportsmanlike conduct !

[Grunty1]

If only the GOP was as civilized as two 300 pound guys headbutting each other.

[republifornian]

yes the stock market has clearly shown it has faith in your qb, thats why the market is still tanking bwhahahaha

[Keith52]

Your team's coach is getting thrown out of the game and you are in last place. Just pick it up and leave. We'll take care of it and clean up your mess for you. No, no don't thank us, just leave.

[Grunty1]

Not so. They are obviously rushing the quarterback (Obama).

[curiousasheck]

I hope these "Businessmen" get the message they can't just be throwing away Americans lives with one roll of the dice then think. . .

"Darn! Lost that one! Sheet! Oh well better luck next time."

[Shieldmaiden]

Preach!

[StillweRise]

WOW.....

that speech could NOT have gone over well....

CHANGE... people....

get on board.

it means many things..

[curiousasheck]

The truth is probably more like 99% of Americans would like to have a chance to line these guys up and pelt them with rotten tomatoes.

[HappyIdiot51]

I would hope to be first in line.

[myangeldog1]

Time to warm up the old rotater cuff ! ; )

[Grunty1]

Now THERE is an idea! If you want bailout money, stand in line and get ready to be pelted! Charge people $1 per tomato and the bailout pays for itself!!

[LesserOf2Evils]

I'm in for $50.

[Xgal08]

This is why people need to relax about Obama's cabinet picks. Obama knows what he is doing. He's putting together an all-star cabinet. I can't wait for the rest of the appointments!!!! Go Rahm!!!

[curiousasheck]

How do people relax when every quarter they get a statement with another two thirds of their assets, investments, and life savings wiped out?

Who's going to bail these Americans out?

[nuclearmonkeys]

Time. Unrealized losses in the stock market are quite familiar with folks who play the game.

Most stocks will start recovering within the next year or so assuming Obama doesn't f*** this up.

[frantaylor]

I want to see how one can get two-thirds of their assets wiped out more than once. This must be that NCLB math I hear so much about.

[ToughEnough]

Sounds more like Clinton's cabinet. So much for change.

[frantaylor]

Yes, because everyone in the Clinton administration is a mindless tool and has no control over their own thoughts and actions.

[Mina1218]

And what's wrong with having Clinton administration? Was it so bad? I think many Americans lives were better off during President Clinton's time in the WH. My life was good. The country was in a good place. Change for the sake of change is unnecessary.

[rollingdivision]

Or else what?

[Grunty1]

They lose. Simple, isn' it?