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Why anybody would second-guess President-Elect Barack Obama (It's still thrilling to type that) is beyond me.
Has he not done everything right? Who knows better than him and his people about what to do next? When people were screaming for him to attack, attack attack, he played rope-a-dope, stayed on message and WON THE PRESIDENCY.
So when I read criticism that Rahm Emanuel is "too tough" for Chief of Staff, as Josh Marshall noted, calling it an Emerging DC Meme, all I can say is, shut up and let Obama do the work.
I remember the words of Gen. Tony McPeak (USF Ret.) who flew 269 combat missions in Vietnam and became a four-star general, serving four years on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. McPeak spent time with Obama on the campaign trail and was one of the generals lined up on the stadium stage before the acceptance speech.
He understands how tough Obama really is, and everyone who doubts it, from Republicans to pundits to heads of state of other countries better understand it too.
In describing Obama's toughness, McPeak was quoted as saying:
"He has gut-fighting sidewalk smarts that have allowed him to prevail when people said he couldn't. And he did it in a way that they didn't even know their throats were cut until they tried to smile."
People better understand the difference between anger and toughness. Bush=anger. Obama=toughness. You don't have to scream and act like a cowboy to be tough.
No, Emanuel is a good fit. I'm not surprised at all.
And by the way, I am filing a ballot initiative to have the word "meme" deleted from the dictionary.
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On his worst day, I don't think Obama could do as badly as Bush has done in the past eight years. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on his choices. This is going to be an interesting ride, folks, so buckle up.
like the guy says. everybody just shut the f*#@" up and let the Awesome O do his job!
Its been 3 days since his election and all the merlins are already giving him a hard time.....g
The beef with Emanuel isn't that he's too tough, it's that he's possibly corrupt. The news story this morning that broke on abc.com: http://www
Also, isn't this is a guy who strong-armed Democrats into voting for the Iraq war?
You can be strong but this guy is really nasty and petty, too, from what I've read. Why pick the Democratic version of Karl Rove? Did the whole "change" thing so south now that the election is over?
Picking all new people or progressive idealists would be disasterous. We need some tough battle ready people in there. This has NOTHING to do with change or lack thereof. It's not like Rahm is going to be making policy.
Wow, so I guess we can expect the same extreme loyalty and unwillingness to criticize that we saw from Bush's supporters during his terms? I thought the whole point was that Obama was a different kind of president!
My gosh, someone had the nerve to say it. Thank you.
Shut up! to everyone criticizing Obama's choices.
Right on ....
So - as citizens of this country we are not allowed to criticize the President? Is this what we can expect from an Obama administration & their followers?
Oh, that's right. That mentality has been in effect since he started running for the office. No complaints or inquiries allowed. No dissenting viewpoints or his followers will protest, flood radio station phone lines ( to shut up someone with something negative to say against their Dear Leader ), collecting credit card information ( data mining ) for political purposes - something the Democrats railed against from the Bush Administra
When you Democrats wake up - you'll see that the old adage is true..... the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Hope & Change? Great first step - hiring a partisan pitbull who sat on the board of Freddie Mac during the time that the board FAILED to catch the thievery going on under its nose. Brilliant move!
The last time I checked, people are still allowed to voice their opinions. No person is above criticism because no one is perfect. Everyone has the right to talk about/support/ and - yes - criticize "Obama's choices."
Thank you for posting this. I couldn't agree more. He's only been the pres. elected for 2 days and people are already second guessing his decisions. Geez! We trusted him enough to vote for him. Trust him enough to make these selections. I understand people are on edge and worried about things not changing in Washington. Obama has proven to be a very smart person in choosing is campaign staff. He's going to pick people who he knows will get his agenda done. He has his reasons for his picks and I trust he knows what he is doing.
I know there are some Democrats/liberals who have some beef with Rahm for his stance on immigration reform back in 2006. Some claim that his views on Dem support for reform would have repercussions in the Congressional races (again, 2006), and for individuals to steer clear on commenting on their stance.
However, I don't think it is that divisive of a choice. Rahm is a very intelligent individual who can offer much to Obama's administration.
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Of course Emanuel is the right choice! He needs to deal, amongst other things, with a Democrat Congress, right? He needs to have the confidence of the president, and be able to act as the tough gatekeeper to the reconciler on the Oval Office. A first class first appointment, in fact!
I agree and enjoyed your post. I have absolute faith and confidence in Obama and am so looking forward to the journey we're all embarking on.
The mere fact that Boehner thought Emanuel was a bad choice makes me glad Obama chose him. He's surrounded himself with the right people so far, so I think he'll make good choices.
hallelujah !!!
anything that bothers the Republicans is good for me. Seeing Morning Joe and the Rethugs fret about this pick brings glee in my life
I don't know where I stand on Emanuel - I know next to nothing about him or his career so would be a complete idiot to try and comment on his qualifications. But I do take offense sir, rhetorical or otherwise, in being told to "shut up" if I have an opinion that differs from yours.
What I personally believe is that no matter what I "think I know" individually about any of these candidates for his cabinet or my personal issues and causes being served/und
Now, having said that, I do have a small, somewhat irrational concern about the appointment of R. Emanuel as CoS - and that is the fact that a Republican like Graham seems to be literally thrilled at his appointment. (Irrational republican paranoia and cynicism at it's finest).
BO doesn't need Yes men in his office . Team of rivals is the mantra . BO is smart enough not get into the dichotomy of new guy =change or old guy=no change . We need Rahm to play the bad cop so that BO can get things done smoothly. Its a Class Act from a Class Brain
Rahm Emanuel = NO CHANGE!
Good Lord. Gitmo. Abu Ghraib. Valerie Plame. 4000 and more Americans dead. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead. Karl Rove. Mission Accomplished. The Yoo Report.
Endless attacks: Ayers. Muslim. Socialist. Communist. Death Threats. Khalidi. Birth Certificates.
The first black President of the United States or any western nation.
No change? What bubble are you living in?
Rahm Emanuel won't set policy.
rahm emanuel = the anti-republican
the anti-republican = democrats
democrats = change
this is the whole point...
and it's about time too, it's been a very long 8 years...
The man is President, let him chose his own team. Those who said he has no experience, should watch closely how a first class brain operates strategically.
Amen.
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