"We won the election, we wrote the bill," said Pelosi as many times as she could to an open microphone. But what was happening away from the microphone made it even easier for the Republicans to hold together. All they had to do was bring up Rahm Emanuel.
"Rahm hates us and lets us know it, and we hate him back," said a senior Republican.
Really? Get out of here. Rahm wasn't interested in working with Republicans? Who could have predicted...
Rahmbo Chief Of Staff? You Can Kiss Bipartisanship Goodbye
By: Jane Hamsher Monday November 3, 2008 8:50 am
It's a real knee-slapper. Rahm and 85 votes? You've got to be kidding. It will be an instant sign that all the bipartisan talk is just that -- talk -- and signal that Obama intends to work solely within the Democratic caucus to achieve his objectives. The Republicans would be welcome to tag along if they like....Rahm doesn't do "bipartisan."
And....
Rahm as Chief of Staff? See Ya, Bipartisanship...
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday November 5, 2008 11:21 am
I wrote the other day that "Rahm doesn't do bipartisan," and Scarborough resoundingly echoed that sentiment. He said that appointing Rahm as COS would be like Bush appointing Tom Delay. He's basically telling the Republicans to go Cheney themselves.
I subsequently got into an email exchange with someone who argued that Rahm was was very much a bipartisan operator, who orchestrated the caucus to capitulate to bipartisanship bullshit from 2006-2008.
I replied that it's not conservatism Rahm hates, he's actually quite fond of that. It's Republicans.
When Rahm works to get legislation passed, he beats up Democrats, he doesn't reach across the aisle and try to negotiate with Republicans and make them happy.
Rahm doesn't really operate from an ideological standpoint. He sees political parties more like sports teams.
Who could have predicted? I mean, outside anyone who's ever met the guy.
Hope Bill Kristol enjoyed the gazpacho.
Jane Hamsher blogs at firedoglake.com