House: Emanuel is the Embodiment of a Jolt for Democrats

[wndycty]

House: Emanuel is the Embodiment of a Jolt for Democrats

By David Nather | 6:26 PM; Mar. 27, 2006

As a young staff aide for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee two decades ago, Rahm Emanuel found himself aboard a private plane being piloted by Dave Johnson, who was mounting an uphill challenge to a Republican incumbent in Minnesota. And the candidate was eager to learn when the committee would deliver the campaign funds it had promised.

“Rahm starts giving him the usual, ‘Well, the DCCC takes your race very seriously,’ et cetera, et cetera,” recalls Peter Fenn, a Democratic media consultant aboard the plane that day. The answer was not good enough for Johnson. He rocked the plane’s wings, jolting the passengers and sending a terrified Emanuel a clear signal to try again. “And suddenly Rahm is saying, ‘Oh, ah, well, you’re going to get your money very soon!’ ” Fenn said.

It was a rare occasion when anyone could remember him betraying a fear of anything. But these days, it’s Emanuel — now back at the DCCC, this time as chairman — who is upending his Democratic colleagues to jolt them into action.

The Illinoisan who forged a reputation a decade ago as one of President Bill Clinton’s most ruthless and effective lieutenants is bringing those qualities to his party’s quest to win control of the House this fall — a prospect that still isn’t considered likely, but is no longer as impossible as it once seemed, thanks to the Republicans’ numerous ethical and political stumbles. In only his fourth year as the congressman for the north side of Chicago, Emanuel, 46, is thriving in a role that allows him to apply his extensive experience as a fundraiser, operative and policy expert trying to wrest seats from the GOP one at a time.

He’s doing it by making the DCCC a more aggressive outfit than it has been in recent years, one that takes an intense interest in both the mechanics of its candidates’ campaigns and in the messages being sold to the voters. Emanuel has set specific goals for fundraising and press coverage that candidates must achieve before the DCCC ratchets up its own support for them. He keeps in frequent contact with non-incumbents in the hottest races to discuss themes that might dovetail with the issues that the House Democratic leadership is embracing.
-snip-

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/03/house_emanuel_is_the_embodimen.html

[derby378]

1. Did he take sides in the Cegelis/Duckworth race in IL?

If so, then every word he says is suspect.

[mopinko]

13. take sides? he created the race.

and has not bothered to make nice in the aftermath of duckworth's razor thin victory in a trainwreck of an election. he has really bulldozed a growing local party. he has no class. he is a bully.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Great stuff...

"Murtha's Democratic colleagues reacted warily to his remarks, while Republicans pounced. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), head of the House Democrats' campaign effort, said, 'Jack Murtha went out and spoke for Jack Murtha.' As for Iraq policy, Emanuel added: 'At the right time, we will have a position.'"

Still waiting.

[chancew]

3. Exactly! ...n/t

[Dr.Phool]

4. Well, I could name a couple of other races

That he's screwing up totally.

[EST]

5. Emmanuel is DLC.

DLC is the republican sleeper cell in the dem party. I am enthusiastically anti-DLC. I am sorry if this seems like blind politicization, but if the DLC touches and approves it, I am against it.
Their goals are strictly pro business at the expense of people.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

6. Emanuel is a scumbag...

Who is effectively derailing the 50 state strategy and where he is not, going for the DLC buttboys and buttgirls.

Trust me: Been there and done that. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[KoKo]

7. Sounds like Emmanuel has hired a PR Firm with this puff piece article...

:puke:

[mrgorth]

8. Rahm

Maybe his name is on the DLC site or something but this is what he said on Meet the Press on 10/2/05:


REP. EMANUEL: Given the information that we were given them, they made their decision. What has been a mistake is to let this type of administration basically run a policy of incompetence when it comes to Iraq. Let me address, though, the future of this country. I'll give you five quick ideas. One, we make college education as universal for the 21st century that a high school education was in the 20th.

MR. RUSSERT: And who pays for that?

"REP. EMANUEL: The American people, because it offers--Let me get to it. Second, we get a summit on the budget to deal with the $3 trillion of debt that's been added up in five years and structural deficits of $400 billion a year. Third, an energy policy that says in 10 years, we cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and make this a hybrid economy. Four, we create an institute on science and technology that builds for America like, the National Institutes has done for health care, we maintain our edge. And five, we have a universal health-care system over the next 10 years where if you work, you have health care. That says fiscal discipline and investing in the American people by reputting people first. The policies that the Republicans have offered have gotten us in the ditch we have today.

MR. RUSSERT: In order to pay for those programs, you'd consider raising taxes?

REP. EMANUEL: I think in this time and age, when we face the challenges we have, everybody has skin in the game. And I think the tax policies we have in place reward the type of culture of cronyism where, in fact, what we're doing is protecting the most well off while we throw middle-class families in front of the train.

I do not consider these to be "DLC" or "GOP-lite" positions. Universal collge? Universal health care? If that's DLC I'm all for it. I don't think you're being fair to the man.

[xchrom]

9. what many of us object to is the cegelis-duckworth race

as well as a slow response re:iraq.

and in being slow -- i mean a studied response -- a response that comes behind the hard work of many, many liberal/progressive activists -- and then he's got the credit.

please note''"REP. EMANUEL: The American people, because it offers--Let me get to it. Second, we get a summit on the budget to deal with the $3 trillion of debt that's been added up in five years and structural deficits of $400 billion a year. Third, an energy policy that says in 10 years, we cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and make this a hybrid economy. Four, we create an institute on science and technology that builds for America like, the National Institutes has done for health care, we maintain our edge. And five, we have a universal health-care system over the next 10 years where if you work, you have health care. That says fiscal discipline and investing in the American people by reputting people first. The policies that the Republicans have offered have gotten us in the ditch we have today. ''

kucinich has advocated free college education for americans among others.

rahm offers that same strategy of triangulation -- which at it's heart -- is heart less.

[mrgorth]

12. I understand that

That doesn't make him a corporatist DLCer which seems to be getting thrown around a lot these days. If you have an issue with "establishment" or "DC" dems than that's an awful big battle to pick. If I were you I'd be happy that he ran with the free college thing. That's not "triangulation" at all. I'm pretty sure that Dennis would be happy he was running with the idea. Remember, the idea is to get the policy implimented. I don't especially care who does it.

[xchrom]

22. no less than molly ivins and arianna huffington pick

this battle all the time -- if you prefer a different term -- call them ''beltway''.

but please remember -- one doesn't need to sign on the dotted line with the dlc to hold their sympathies.

he did, after all, serve in a pro-dlc administration.

[mrgorth]

26. Well that's fine

And I didn't have a horse in the race you mention. Clearly the grassroots need to be listened to and I think that if they aren't the DCCC will pay the price. That said, we have to stop making enemies SOMEWHERE! We hate the GOP. We hate the DLC. Now we hate the DC Dems too because they recruit candidates? Fuck sake people, I am not for the DLC's positions either but can we please give SOME of our own people a break!?

[xchrom]

29. that's why i suggested ''beltway''.

it gives some more impetus and direction to the notion of a top heavy institution.

but i think any suggestion i make won't make you happy.

[mopinko]

15. rahm voted for

the war
the bankruptcy bill
nafta, cafta
patriot act
i know i am forgetting a bunch.
he can talk to timmy, and sound good, but let's judge him by his actions and his votes.

[OKNancy]

16. He did not vote for the bankruptcy bill or cafta

I don't think he was in congress for the nafta vote.

He was not in the House when the Iraq War vote took place, so that is wrong too.

[Cocoa]

18. he supported NAFTA as part of the Clinton administration

but thank you for those important corrections. I actually believed what that person wrote about Rahm's votes without checking it for myself.

Too bad there's so much disinfo against dems here at DU. :-(

[BootinUp]

11. Oh stop defending the Democrats will ya!

:sarcasm:

[msgadget]

23. Universal healthcare IF YOU WORK

IOW, a means to give industry more of a competitive edge globally. Will the savings mean more hirings? He wisely doesn't even raise such a hope. I agree that this is long overdue but it is NOT 'reputting people first'.

[iconoclastNYC]

10. Wow he's our savior!

He's the DLC messiah.

:sarcasm:

[Cocoa]

14. why do people love Bill Clinton and hate Rahm?

and hate Hillary Clinton, while we're at it.

[OKNancy]

17. Before people make more misrepresentations about Rahm

Voted NO on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)

Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted NO on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)

Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)

Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes.

Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)

Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
Voted NO on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
Rated 95% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)

Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
Voted NO on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)

Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)

http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel.htm

[Pithy Cherub]

19. Isn't Rahm also an IWR supporter?

Rahm is not a politician that is inspirational. He is however the enforcer and acts the part at the DCCC.

[mopinko]

20. yes he is

there was a week long vigil in front of his office last week.

[AtomicKitten]

21. It's really pathetic

to come to DU and find GOP talking points.

The ineffectiveness of the Democrats is borne out here at DU on a daily basis.

The Republicans have one thing going for them, they know how to lock shoulders and unify.

[welshTerrier2]

24. "lock shoulders and unify"

exactly!!!!

that's what the Democratic Party is NOT doing ... they need to do a better job reaching out to their base the way the republicans do ...

pandering to "just over the line" republicans is NO WAY to build the unity we need ...

you seem to blame voters who don't feel represented by what the Party is doing instead of realizing the Party is failing to appeal to them ... votes need to be earned; not demanded ...

[AtomicKitten]

25. lack of unity

I'm blaming the entire Dem establishment including DU. The harsh rhetoric and lack of historical perspective in some cases makes it impossible. I can hardly wait until primary season and its aftermath ... *sarcasm*

It's tough some days to come to DU. Some days it has the effect of a wet blanket.

[welshTerrier2]

27. the ONLY path is via dialog and compromise

i don't think the Party is open to that ...

they need to really open things up for a meaningful dialog ... this would include substantial reforms where elected Dems and party officials would hold regular FREE, PUBLIC forums to allow for a real exhange ...

we've already turned off tens of millions who no longer vote at all ... and the left side of the big tent may be leaking as well ... there's no need for any of it ... i see it as an arrogance of power ... until they learn to share and play nice with the other kids, we'll continue to see more "wet blankets" ...

maybe it shouldn't be that way but it is ...

[AtomicKitten]

28. of course you're right.

I'm just a bit off today witnessing how the recently released memo documenting the lies of this administration in going to war is successfully overshadowed by the "shake-up" (?!) of the WH with the resignation of Andrew Card and the carefully timed immigration debate which has been virtually ignored until now. Can't decide if the MSM is complicit or bereft of competency. Probably both.

Feh.

[Donna Zen]

30. The media is the government.

~Arundhati Roy