Clinton Bulldog Rahm Emanuel Tilting Toward Obama?

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the aggressive former Clinton administration aide and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, hasn't yet endorsed either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

But many have long assumed that he was privately favoring Clinton. He is the only member of the Illinois Democratic congressional delegation not to endorse Obama, and in 2006 (before it was clear that Obama would run), he declared, "I'm supporting Hillary Clinton. I'm public about it."

Yet in recent months, he has repeatedly dropped signals that many have interpreted as evidence of a tilt towards Obama. In January, shortly after the combative South Carolina primary, Newsweek reported that Emanuel had made a "heated" private call called Bill Clinton saying that "he needs to change his tone and stop attacking Sen. Barack Obama."

Emanuel has also said that he expects the Democratic race to end in May -- a time frame that arguably precludes the possibility of a Clinton victory.

And a New York Times article published Thursday afternoon includes this quote:

"The way the loser loses," said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, who is close to both candidates but has made no endorsement, "will determine whether the winner wins in November."

It's certainly a cryptic line -- where is Rahm leaning?

Comments

[DavidK08]

It seems to me that HRC got almost (99%) all of her SDs before Obama came on the scene. That is when she was the only game in town and she was expecting the nom be handed to her.

Since then her net gain is laughable. His net gain is in striking distance of her total.

She had PA won long before the race even started. She whimpered about being outspent X-1 and doesn't mentino that he did better than cut her lead in half. BUT, the value of her being a Clinton, and former first lady was never mentioned. The ties to PA were deep and only a former president could have layed that ground work.

The SDs are just playing it safe and will continue the trend. HRC is only getting her press moments because she is to the MEDIA as XMASS is to retail stores.

It is foolish to think that because he doesn't strike back he is weak. How hard is it to find something on HRC to dig out of the closet?????? Her skeletons (and Bill's) are the very reason HRC has the GOP seal of approval. The GOP wants her bad. Why else run ads in NC that only effect him?

Is that something she is proud of?

What about 2012? I think that is her plan.

[Sunburst]

Ralm. Please pull out all stops. Full speed ahead for Obama.

Don't sell yourself short.

Obama needs to arm himself to the teeth, because Hilary thinks she's in a bull pen with him.

This election stinks to high heaven. Hilary is just trying to raise the roof off.
HEAR ME ROAR!!!!!!!!

She's got too many sheletons in the closet.

Hilary's anger is like an acid that will eventually poison us.
Hilary's rudeness is the same day after day.

So please Obama needs you, and several more.

We've had a taste of the Clintons. Now find out by Morris they were or still are envolved with the communits.

[Sunburst]

Please endorse Obama.

Hilary's stories have been cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

Some speeches are even half cocked.

In the meantime Obama has to deal with a loose cannon.

Hilary's flying high by the seat of her pants. Somebody needs to bring her down.
She's only hanging on by a wing and a prayer. PA showed her that.

NC will be a dead ringer for Obama. Don't know about after that.

Hilary talks about race. Well she's a horse of a different color. so what is this race thing?

[Binx101]

We have been very critical of Emmanuel in the past, for a number of reasons. It would be nice to see that he takes a stand either way without cover. But even his endorsement won't help unless he has had a make-over in the way he expresses ideas. To date, he has wasted major opportunities by yelping out talking points like a tobacco auctioneer on Quad Venti Espressos instead of a conversant Congressional voice. We'll really get a excited if his endorsement is less of the same and more of the new.

Binx101
The Almost Daily Binx
http://binx101.wordpress.com

[FJRinLA]

The CLINTON INSURGENCY MARCHES ON

The Clinton Insurgency will continue on no matter what party leaders say or do. They stopped running for President in '08 sometime between Super Tuesday and Mini-Super Tuesday, and morphed into the "Campaign To Defeat Obama" at all costs.

So we loyal DEMS have to recognize that and behave accordingly.

The Clinton Insurgency will just move to the Senate if she fails in denying Obama the Presidency.

There, she'll caucus with Sens. McCain, Lieberman, and the rest of the REPS to keep blocking Progressive legislation and help create a failed Obama Presidency.

Of course, she's still got a great chance to avoid that by bringing to pass her preferred self-fulfilling prophecy of a failed Obama General Election campaign that produces a McCain Administration.

If The Clintons can pull that off, then they'd gladly take the heat while slowly trying to spin themselves back into DEM good graces.

So please be informed and aware, because based upon The Clintons words and deeds that we are all currently witnessing, there is absolutely no reason for any of us to be caught off guard or not prepared for their continued assault against Obama and any type of "Change You Can Believe In".

You see, The Clintons want to remain "titular heads" of the DEM Party in absentia, even if it means dooming us, the country, and the entire world to another four years of wandering in the wilderness during a McCain or Cheney-Lite Administration.

[lizr]

OMG you are totally right!!

We can expect more blocking of progressive ideas and programs in the Senate.

How can we stop the Clintons and Liebermans and McCains from blocking needed change in our country once Obama is elected?

For one thing I give my money to O and to Move on selected candidates, NOT the party, which is not necessarily totally to be trusted.

[Sunburst]

All this BS on Rev Wright. All I"ve read are good things about him. You can see how much Fox has been paid. All they do is run hateful stuff on him. Not Hilary.

So please endorse the poor guy, before she makes mince meat out of him.

He isn"t running a hurtful campaign.

This is the only way she even has half a chance. People don"t like her. If they did she would have won bigger in PA. That is where she did things with her father. So she must be from there.

Some have to pay a taxi driver, others have to get sitters. These people should be reimbursed, from the last debate that was a freak show.

God the protector is greater than the Clinton mean machine. Hilary has only one thing on her mind. God has something else on his.

Poor Obama he is too nice to deserve this.

Obama suffers today, but tomorrow she may.

At one time this used to be a cheerful world to live in.

Please endorse him, while he is still in one piece.

[lizr]

Sadly, Obama needs to kick Clinton butt.

Because all that the Rt understands is force.

And he needs to get loaded for bear to deal with the Senate Reps (Clinton and LIeberman included ) who will try to block his programs and maintain the status quo.

Being nice is not going to cut it!

[Sunburst]

What kind of an election is this.? Beat the s--- out of one another.

Where the hell are the issues we"re suppose to be voting on?

If Bill isn"t beating on Obama Hilary is.

You guys should have intervened before this. Chosen Obama.

Now Hilary is going to cause a war.

There are several paths up a mountain. Some people choose to just go around and around the mountain, beating up on others.

People bust their tails to get around for a debate. What for? Just to hear them terrorize each other. Or the ones asking questions.
I hope he never agrees to another debate. They aren"t debates . There Hilary"s terrorizing questions , she gave to those asking questions. Plus Hannity"s and O"Rileys.
I and several others have heard enough.

Con'd do to being to long.

[hira]

Representative Imanuel will support Obama only when it becomes clear that Obama has already won. Jewish politicians do not trust black politicians as Presidential candidates, never did. Obama promised to address the Black/Jewish divide in this country, after he wins the election. But I do not expect Jewish politicians supporting Obama to be elected in the first place.

[lizr]

Why divide Jews and blacks like this?

AIPAC is the enemy, not Jewish politicians who make up their own minds.

Stop playing Divide and Conquer. Leave that to the Clintons.

[lizr]

Huh? Let's not contribute to the divide by dumping people in one category.

AIPAC is the enemy, not Jewish politicians, who make up their minds individually, and are by and large fair minded.

Let's quit the Divide and Conquer game already.

[Daly]

it is time for all supers to have their say; arguing that they want to see what the voters have to say but also maintain that they can vote as they like is ludicrous.

If it was ok for Clintons to have many supers back them even before a single a day of campaigning then it is ok for the others to back their candidate of choice. Clyburn, Emanuel stop the games you are enabling the Clintons to carry out their party suicide.

Hey folks, I just paid $4.08 for car juice what are you paying, how will you use the stimulus check that bushie said we should go out as shop, but not is saying it will offset the price of gas.

[earlyearlyearly]

Rahm,
Find your nads, jump off that fence, and endorse Obama. We've seen enough of the Hil and Bil show.
The MSM and their lapdogs are wearing you guys out.
Enough already.
Just repeat after me, Obama '08.

[stoplooklisten]

in the states that Obama has won by caucus he has won the popular vote. If they were tallying the vote as if it were a primary his lead in the popular vote would be much higher. So that argument is invalid buddy

[Savanarola]

At least one of the Emmanuel brothers is showing some brains!

[johnnygoodwud]

obama can't win the big states. HELLO, have you seen the polls pitting obama vs. mccain in the big states hillary won? obama does just fine, and once he starts going after mccain, things will even get better.

[actionadventure]

Bush, Kennedy, Hillary and Penn: Some historical perspective ...

http://origin.observer.com/2008/kennedy-bush-and-pennsylvania-lifeline

[Eric8869]

Rahm Emanuel betrayed the gay voters by being a major force behind "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - i have nothing but contempt for him.

[thirdgo]

Democrats' dilemma: (SuperDelegates take note)

1. alienate the black voters & newly registered young voters
2. cave in to bigots (let's be honest here)
3. forget all about the huge number of republicans & independents who are anti-war, pro-choice, and in dispair about the economy, but hate Clinton (either or both) & will never, ever vote for Hillary

A sure formula for defeat in Nov.

Alternative: Get behind Obama, celebrate the black & youth voters, and start REALLY campaigning/educating that big blue-collar group about where there interests lie in Nov.

We can do this. Yes we can.

[DavidK08]

I'm with ya. I am non-enrolled and want Obama. HRC is a Clinton, not a democrat. She only uses the party and says what she needs to.

[lizr]

my candidate for post of the week. Huffington, listening?

[Barky]

Your assessment is correct. A large chunk of the uncommitted superdels. are those who have either been close to the Clintons, been promised a career continuation under a C presidency or have a constituency issue (where their district voted heavy for HC). Bottom line...they are conflicted until they know which way the most in their group is ready to break. Once it starts this contest ends...probably/if Obama wins both Ind. & NC.

[lisakaz2]

Very cogent analysis. To deny Obama in some form of "not your turn" will clearly come across as a form of "back of the bus" order. It will enrage a number of party regulars AND the potential for long coattails in November with the youth vote or new voters as well as independents. It is a train wreck.

I cannot understand why the party or the SDs don't see it so clearly. HRC is in a fog of her own ambition as well as the DLC's ambition. Truly the above would represent progress. I guess some pols are so swept up in being paid shills or corporatists that they can't see this.

[friendofjimmy]

where were you the last 2 presidential elections?

[SouthFloridaDem]

You got it. That's it in a nutshell. Hillary is still the number one force to fully unite Republicans. Obama can peel off independents and even split Republicans.

[kmdippenger]

Boy do I wish you were in charge of this situation.

A Hillary nomination will be disastrous for the party and will be a step back to the same politics that gave us a 2nd GW term, we can move forward only with Barack Obama as President.

[indalay]

you are all so correct! we can't let our country keep devolving into idiocracy.

[mellene]

Listen, the dems have to get serious about shutting down this process before Rush Limbaugh has his way with Operation Chaos. Clinton has only served to make a mockery of herself and ability to act like a grown up. It's disgusting how the dems are eating their own. I'll vote for one of them, but with my nose pinched, unfortunately.

[flibjuckson]

The way the bread is buttered is the way the toast is spread. In other words, the way the hotdog is mustarded is the way the weiner is relished. To put it more bluntly, the way the river is paddled is the way the stream is traversed. I know that probably isn't as clear as this: The way the cookie crumbles is the way that the egg is scrambled. Hopefully that clears up some of the confusion. If not, there is always this explanation: However the balloon is inflated is however the donut is dunked. That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell.

[lizr]

hard to believe this gets posted and mine get lost in censorville.

[ButterflyWeed]

You sound like you're ready to lead on Day One.

[thirdgo]

Well hey, I feel better now.

[Chitown46]

Any lifelong Democrat would vote for either of these canidates. It seems like strong women even scary weak women...... Enjoy your .70 to ever dollar I make.....

[lizr]

Sorry Chitown, I'll never vote for her. Not ever.

[iguanasaiz]

News Flash: The general election is NOT a caucus. Obama has won more than 90% of his delegates from caucuses. He gets creamed in primary elections. If 10% of all Democrats in any of the caucus states actually voted that would be a stretch. Obama can't close the deal now, how does he expect to close it in the biggest primary of all -- the general election?

[dugan45]

He already did close the deal. He's won in all categories except superdelegates. Hillary will destroy Earth before she capitulates to the superdelegates, who will, I hope, tell her to go make cookies.

[Hillbug]

Considering he polls even or better than McCain in the good majority of polls, and also polls MUCH better than Hillary in a number of states, including many battleground states...

Well, I mean, I'd say he'll close the deal in the general by, you know, winning. Much like he's doing now.

[LeftLeanWing]

your comment is stupid and an unequivocal lie.

The delegates of both candidates came from the caucuses and the primaries. Since the Democratic primary process awards proportional allocation of pledged delegates and not the winner-take-all, Obama and Clinton both got a mixture or primary delegates and caucus delegates.

Obama just has more on his spreadsheet than Hillary.

Stop making these 'facts' up

[Grunty1]

Do you guys ever get tired of lying? Obama has also won more primaries than Hillary...