Eric Massa: Rahm Emanuel Is The 'Son Of The Devil's Spawn,' Lobbied Me In Shower - Huff Post

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

First Posted: 03- 8-10 12:21 PM | Updated: 03- 8-10 05:50 PM

Outgoing Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) had some choice words for White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel during a recent radio interview in which he called the top Obama adviser "the son of the devil's spawn."

"He is an individual who would sell his mother to get a vote. He would strap his children to the front end of a steam locomotive," Massa said of Emanuel's desire to lock up vital votes on health care reform. "You think that somehow they didn't come after me to get rid of me because my vote is the deciding vote in the health care bill? Then, ladies and gentlemen, you live today in a world that is so innocent as to not understand what's going on in Washington, D.C."

According to an account given by Massa, he and Emanuel have had tense confrontations in the past, including one particularly memorable incident in the shower of the Congressional gym.

"Let me tell you a story about Rahm Emanuel," Massa started. "I was a congressman in my first eight weeks, and I was in the congressional gym, and I went down and I worked out and I went into the showers...I'm sitting there showering, naked as a jaybird and here comes Rahm Emanuel not even with a towel wrapped around his tush, poking his finger in my chest, yelling at me because I wasn't going to vote for the president's budget. Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?

"By the way, what the heck is he doing in the Congressional gym," Massa continued. "He goes there to intimidate members of Congress...He's hated me since day one, and now he wins."

Massa, who is scheduled to resign from the House on Monday, following sexual harassment allegations, contends that he "was set up for this from the very, very beginning," and that Emanuel was a key orchestrator in the plot to get rid of him.

Massa and Emanuel have long had a contentious relationship. Watch video of Emanuel giving advice to Massa during his congressional campaign. Emanuel was then chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/eric-massa-rahm-emanuel-i_n_490058.html

[PVnRT]

1. Is that on pornotube somewhere?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

2. Oh man, if they only had a video of that!

:rofl:

PS..there probably is one.....

[PVnRT]

4. The jokes really write themselves here

Unfortunately, they would also probably result in the thread being locked.

[Bolo Boffin]

5. No, but Massa's going to be on Beck this afternoon - the full hour

God help me, I've set the DVR to record that hatefest with benefits. I plan to save it if I ever need to induce projectile vomiting.

[KingFlorez]

3. Interesting how all this comes out after he got in trouble

Why wasn't he talking about all of this before?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. So are you saying that Massa is making this up?

[Orrex]

8. Don't you think it's curious that he didn't think to mention it earlier?

Leaving aside whether it's true or not, it's politically clumsy of Massa to wait until his feet are in the fire before he reveals a creepy story about a famously creepy Washington operator. The timing damages his credibility even if it happened exactly as he describes.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

11. I believe this story and perhaps the key word here is "intimidation".

I don't trust one single power broker in Washington and what they might "have on" someone. In Massa's case, it might have been the sexual harassment thing and Massa, now resigning for it can now speak his mind.

[Orrex]

13. Possibly

Nevertheless, the timing of it will work against him, because the story will be seen as an attempt at distraction or mud-slinging.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

28. Of course the timing is working against him.

[Cosmocat]

23. WTF ...

I got to tell you, I don't care if I am in an eskimo suit or buck naked in the shower, if someone steps up on me, I step back up on them ...

So friggen what if it was in the shower?

Dudes are dudes, you have it out one way or another ...

And, yes, it seems AWEFULLY bizarre to bring this story up at all, much less now that he is crashing and burning ... AND, it just further clouds the reasoning behind it, the whole victim complex ... What is it the health or is it the boogeyman chasing him out ???

[atreides1]

30. Why?

Is it based on your personal distrust of DC power brokers, that you choose to believe Mr. Massa?

Why has Massa changed his story several times? Why not just tell the truth, and if he is telling the truth why leave, why not fight?

I have a hard time buying that a man who graduated from the USNA was actually intimidated by a naked man in the gym.

There may be some truth to his story but the whole thing doesn't pass the smell test. Just another opinion.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

57. Maybe two of the reasons why I believe the story is true is because

of Rahm's reputation and also, because the story is so over the top for someone to make-up.

[sabrina 1]

45. The sexual harrassment case was minor. He was crude

at a party where everyone was drunk apparently. One incident. He claims he expected a hearing on a different matter which involved a campaign funding issue. If they have more than that on him, they should reveal it.

If he was the first to say that members of Congress are bullied and intimidated by DC power brokers, that would be one thing. But he's not. Airc, several credible members of Congress reported being threatened if they did not vote for the bail-outs also.

Is it okay if Democrats do it? From the reactions on this board sometimes, it looks that way.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

55. From what I read, the person lodging the complaint wasn't even the person who was "harassed".

[sabrina 1]

74. True, Someone didn't want Massa to vote on the HCR Bill. And

I think we all know who that was.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

78. I agree.

[420inTN]

14. Why? He's out the door. Doesn't have to play nice anymore

Definitely doesn't have anything to lose by coming out with this now.

I'm not saying that he's telling the truth or lying. I'm just saying that if it is true, he wouldn't have helped himself by coming out with this while he was still in office. Why would he want to be a whistleblower while still in office?

This is just his parting shot.

[Orrex]

16. A non-verifiable parting shot by an ousted and (perceived?) bitter Rep.

Rahm could level a similar charge against Massa with equally verifiable credibility.


Again, for purposes of the argument it doesn't matter whether or not it's true; it's politically clumsy and problematic for Massa.

[saracat]

21. Except that everyone who knows Rahm will believe this. The irony is that ethics charges weren't

brought against Rahm for his use of language. He uses the C word with impunity yet no one calls that sexual harassment.

[tridim]

38. You don't know Rahm.

I'd guess that 99.9% of DU doesn't know Rahm either.

What you're doing is judging a person based solely on a few snippets you read in the mainstream media. That aint good.

[saracat]

47. Uh, Actually I have met Rahm several times and I have friends who work for him.

I am basing it on their experiences as well as the stories other congresscritters have shared with me.People talk you know, and in this case, they all say the same thing. There is even video of what other congresscritter think of rahm. Even Hillary said he had filthy mouth.

[dmr]

58. Even the president has referenced Rahm's mouth

Forget what the prez said, but I heard him talk about Rahm's cussing.

[Orrex]

40. Ah yes. Guilt by reason of reputation. Admirable!

The irony is that ethics charges weren't brought against Rahm for his use of language. He uses the C word with impunity yet no one calls that sexual harassment.

I don't know if that's ironic, nor do I know that he uses the word "with impunity." I suspect that he uses the word because he's an asshole, but he's almost certainly aware that there's a limit to what he can get away with.

If someone has been adversely affected--either personally or by the environment Rahm's language has created--they should absolutely call it sexual harassment.

However, I don't see how this has any bearing on Massa's retirement, nor does it lend any further credence to his story.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tridim]

39. OMFG. nt

[Orrex]

49. Yeah, I was kind of taken aback by that post myself

:tinfoilhat:
:scared:

[saracat]

61. What did it say? Can you PM me? I am curious

[Orrex]

71. PM sent.

:hi:

[420inTN]

82. Can you PM me as well?

I didn't get a chance to see the reply to me before it was yanked.

[Orrex]

83. Sent!

[420inTN]

84. Lol. Thanks! n/t

[saracat]

24. You are kidding right? What part of I have nothing to lose and no obligation to protect anyone

now do you not understand? Rahm engaged in his usual behavior and was harassing a Rep for a vote.He was willing to tarnish Massa 's reputation over a stupid remark much less worse than those used everyday by Rahm himself within earshot of everyone.Hillary Clinton herself has often commented on Rahm's remarks and yet no ethics complaints were ever filed against him. How curious.

Massa is going home to die , and he isn't being "politically clumsy. He isn't being politically anything. He is being honest, something, not often seen. He has no obligation to protect Rahm or the Democrats after all they have done to him.

And as for his credibility? I think its just fine. Rahm was just doing what he was hired to do and what he was famous for. The problem some hhave is that they KNOW everyone will believe this. The video alone proves much of th point. Massa listened to the people and notrahm. And he won. That was not forgivable.

[Orrex]

44. So, you're assuming outright that Massa's story is true as told?

Even with no corroboration other than your media-spawned perception of Rahm?

It's also curious that you're willing to gloss over Massa's "stupid remark," but you're less forgiving of Rahm's language.

Massa is going home to die, and he isn't being "politically clumsy. He isn't being politically anything. He is being honest, something, not often seen. He has no obligation to protect Rahm or the Democrats after all they have done to him.

You can't possibly be that naive. How can you conclude, based on his one biased account, that "he is being honest," when he's being ousted for reasons of ethics? Do you have some unique insight into Massa's sterling character that empowers you to declare him truthful?

That would be quite a knack.

By your reasoning, anyone leaving a job has no basis for speaking ill of the establishment. Do you truly believe that? So you'll take as gospel the claims of anyone fired from a job, as long as it confirms your preconceptions?


I'm not defending Rahm, by the way; I'm simply questioning your strange eagerness to exonerate Massa and to believe him despite a lack of any other corroboration.

[saracat]

51. I have friends who work for Rahm. I have heard Dem congresscritters speak about Rahm.

Their stories all match. I guess maybe they are all delusional and eager to believe as well. I would also have to believe they have been making this stuff up for years. I know nothing about a "sterling" character but Massa is dying.That usually causes folks to be less subject to inhibitons.He doesn't have anything to gain by lying.

[Orrex]

52. Why don't your friends accuse Rahm of sexual harassment?

Surely, if your friends are enduring a hostile workplace environment, a charge of sexual harassment is a legitimate complaint, no?

[saracat]

60. Because no one really cares anymore than anyone really cared about Massa until,it could be used for

pressure.And it was friends plural.I had a typo And everyone knows that Rahm has a filthy mouth and attitude. He isn't a nice guy and he would throw his mother in front of a semi to get what he wanted.

[Orrex]

70. That might all be true, but it's not relevant to Massa's allegation.

Rahm doesn't need to convince anyone that he's a nice guy; if Massa's claim is to believed, Massa (or his surrogates) must corroborate it.


Sorry about the friend/friends typo. I didn't catch that.

[sabrina 1]

72. And why was it Democrats who went after Massa for

single remark that Republicans didn't know about? How come Democrats are so concerned this minor issue, when they won't go after Rove, or Gonzales, or Cheney or Tom Delay? The Republicans defended Delay for actual criminal behavior, and they defended their own Congressman who was harrassing boys for a decade, Democrats too remained silent on that.

But for this insignificant remark, it is Democrats who go after a progressive Congressman. It was NOT because they cared about his remark, which was silly if anything, it was for political purposes that is clear.

I want to see Steny Hoyer hold some hearings on War Crimes, Torture, and on the political prosecution conducted by Rove and his cohorts against Don Seigelman. But on those major crimes we are told 'we have to move on'. Who do they think they are kidding?

I do not blame Massa for being angry, but I don't think he should have quit. Look at the Republicans who refused to quit and Democrats have had nothing to say about them either.

This was a clear case of a political hatchet job against someone who was fighting for real healthcare reform. Who needs Republicans with Democrats like Rahm Emanuel and Steny Hoyer?

[girl gone mad]

41. The only thing that makes sense..

is that they had something worse than this harassment charge on him and threatened to use it if he voted against the bill. He caved and resigned, perhaps to save his family from the humiliation and as an FU to Rahm.

I guess they've got nothing on Kucinich.

[KingFlorez]

12. I'm saying I don't really know if it's true or not

Everyone knows Rahm can be a bully, but on the other hand, I find Massa's word to be rather questionable since he decided to go on Glenn Beck's show completely blasting Democrats.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

34. Has he been on Beck yet?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

92. Some DUers commments about Massa on Beck's show. You got that wrong.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7883972

[madrchsod]

6. it`s not really to hard to believe massa...

rahm is obama`s pitbull....

[Arkana]

9. Next Massa will tell everyone who will listen that he and Rahm

had a lightsaber fight on the House floor after hours.

[Orrex]

15. I hope that this thread remains uselss and without pics

[renie408]

20. Only he was forced to stop the fight and lay down his light saber...

by the evil Sith lords whose rule he was just getting ready to throw off because he stubbed his toe.

[saracat]

27. Yeah. Sorry but Tinkerbelle still dies and Rahm will never be a nice guy.

Wonder why he was allowed to use much worse language in congress, even Hillary Clinton publicly mentioned it, and no one was ever uncomfortable enough to file a harrassment claim? Gee ,the use of the C word as well as its cousins sound like music when Rahm uses them. But you keep clapping.Maybe the tooth fairy will bring you a quarter.

[Arkana]

50. This post will get deleted, but you need to hear it anyway.

Blow it out your self-righteous ass.

[saracat]

53. Back at cha! You sweet little thing!

:hi:

[RoyGBiv]

10. Dearlord ...

Massa is a petulant child.

[saracat]

18. Delete dupe

[saracat]

19. Really? The video speaks for itself.

[RoyGBiv]

22. Yes, really ...

Eric Massa is a petulant child.

[saracat]

25. and Rahm would never threaten or intimidate anyone? Do you know anything about Rahm?

Do you think Rahm sucks it up when a congressman flouts him? BTW,why wasn't Rahm brought up on ethics charges for his language when in Congress? Or is that specially reserved for those we want to pressure? I guess there is nothing petulant about Rahm's behavior.:rofl:

[RoyGBiv]

26. I'm sorry ...

I don't play moral equivalence silliness.

You said the video speaks for itself.

The video shows Rahm doing his job, giving advice and critiquing Massa's appearance at campaign events.

It shows Massa whining about it and his cohorts saying "Fuck him."

Eric Massa is a petulant child.

[KingFlorez]

29. I agree

What Rahm was saying was actually pretty standard and constructive. I expected the video to be something really over the top, but I saw nothing out of line at all.

[RoyGBiv]

37. Frankly, so did I ...

I was genuinely stunned at how rational Rahm was given that the video was intentionally edited in an attempt to make Massa out as the put-upon hero.

[saracat]

32. it shows Rahm telling Massa to "smile, and not be angry" and seconds later

a member of the public applauding Massa's anger. An angry populace demands an angry leader. If he wasn't angry, he wouldn't have been paying attention. The point is, if he listened to Rahm, he would have lost.Massa give the lie to the fact that a progressive couldn't win in a conservative district. Rahm was wrong, and his choices were bad. Smiling all the time makes you look like an idiot and as out of touch as Rahm himself. Rahm is about fooling people and getting them to write checks.He has absolute contempt for the voters.

[RoyGBiv]

35. Yes, yes ...

Carry on.

You and your anger enjoy yourselves.

[saracat]

42. Tinkerbelle still dies. Keep clapping.

[sabrina 1]

85. And Rahm Emanuel really fights for the common people.

And I believe in Santa Claus.

[RoyGBiv]

87. Oh, ouch ...

Dang that hurt.

Such an effective rejoinder.

[sabrina 1]

88. It wasn't meant to hurt. It was meant to get a response.

Looks like it worked, and from a Rahm supporter also. They are so rare, I feel privileged!

[RoyGBiv]

89. As well you should n/t

[saracat]

17. OMG. That video reinforces everything Massa is saying. it also shows how wrong Rahm was.

Emmanuel is completely out of touch with the people. Massa was elected because of who he was, not what Emmanuel wanted him to be. if he had done what rahm advised, he would have lost. Massa was a reflection of the peoples anger, and Emmanuel has. obviously, nothing but contwempt for the people. He thinks that all that has to be done is smile at us, and we will write checks.
Cue the Rahm Defense. The tape speaks for itself."Res ipsa loquiter"

K+R

[mod mom]

31. The President would be better served by a diplomat over a thug. Hopefully Rahm will be gone

sooner than later. As much as I hate rove, I think he was an asshole based on his disturbed principles. With rahm, I believe it has to do with helping out other who will enrich him in the near future.

[RoyGBiv]

43. LOL!

You don't even see the irony of what you just said, do you?

Oh merciful heavens this is rich.

[girl gone mad]

46. I don't see the irony either..

and I've got a PhD in irony, so...

[mod mom]

81. Nope -don't see it.

I am saying I don't believe in rove's deranged principles of neocon conservatism but I don't think he was all about $ where I see rahm as willing to sell out his own mother for his almighty $. Don't see any irony there only 2 despicable creatures.

[bullwinkle428]

36. Lobbying in the shower? Is that what the kids are calling it?

[frazzled]

48. You do know Massa's under investigation for multiple gropings of male staffers

No salty language, folks. No New Year's Eve comments.

Massa's chief of staff apparently reported this some time ago to Hoyer, who suggested he take it to the ethics committee, and the behavior extends back more than a year (hell, he's only been there more than a year) and involves multiple complaints.

Massa's back is up against the wall and he's being exposed and he's lashing out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030902157.html?hpid=topnews

[saracat]

54. Wow. it really looks like they are using Massa to send a message

that other congresscritters better play ball on this. I believe him now more than ever.

[TheUnspeakable]

64. and as the story gets worse and worse, I keep going back to this..

Dennis Kucinich on Mar.3-before this scandal broke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qW3XckPdU&NR=1

at about 1;00 "Myself and Mr. Massa were basically the only two who held to our stand and said no public option, no vote"

I don't know what to think anymore-one way or another, all the TRUE progressives get shot down.

[saracat]

65. OMG. What will they do to Dennis and what have they done to Grijalva and the others?

"Dennis Kucinich on Mar.3-before this scandal broke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qW3XckPdU&NR=1

at about 1;00 "Myself and Mr. Massa were basically the only two who held to our stand and said no public option, no vote"

I don't know what to think anymore-one way or another, all the TRUE progressives get shot down.


This is no coincidence.

[TheUnspeakable]

66. I have to think Dennis is "spotless"

squeaky clean -but already, look at all the bashing here on DU of him!

[saracat]

68. Remember the phrase, " Of course its not true, but make the bastard deny it" ?

LBJ said that but it appears we are turning it on our own.And for being too liberal yet. For daring to support a single payer and demanding at least a public option.If they did this to the blue dogs it might be another matter but you see they don't want real HCR.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

69. That seems a bit out there. Massa told everybody what happened-so why did he resign?

Perhaps before putting forth conspiracy theories, we should wait for the news (sourced news) to come out.

[joeybee12]

76. He also has an incurable form of cancer...n/t

[SemiCharmedQuark]

77. The Health Care Reform votet is next week. Why not stick it out until then?

He's well enough to go on Glenn Beck.

[saracat]

56. Perhaps folks ought to be question Rahm;s proclivities

[apples and oranges]

59. Massa has no credibility so why should I believe this story?

:shrug:

[saracat]

63. Why doesn't he have any credibility? He is respected Liberal congressperson who won in a

a conservative district.

[Better Believe It]

62. Total nonsense. Rahm "Sharp Elbows" Emanuel would never take a shower!

He has a morning bubble bath "drawn" by his maid with cucumber slices for his eyes.

:)

[Renew Deal]

67. So Rahm forced this guy to harass a colleague?

OK :crazy:

[saracat]

73. Funny, no ethics charges against the guy who suggested f+++ing the bridesmaid?

Guess these remarks don't make anyone uncomfortable.Funny definition of harassment.Rahm's use of the C word doesn't count either. Apparently harassment only is complained about when useful for pressure.And when that doesn't work, make up other stuff and make them deny it.

[Renew Deal]

80. I think you're the one making things up.

Massa has said repeatedly that he did it and it was wrong.

[saracat]

86. But he doesn't say he sexually groped or propositioned anyone.

[WI_DEM]

75. Hey! he should be lucky he wasn't dealing with LBJ who would bring be sitting on a toilet

lobbying congressmen in person.

[upi402]

79. Did he have a tramp stamp?

Just askin'
:rofl:

[MisterP]

90. this sounds crazy, certainly--but "crazy" and "not realistic" don't necessarily have to overlap

as for myself, I'd hate to be attacked by a nude ConservaDem weasel in the shower

[Hekate]

91. Danziger already has a cartoon up of the incident in the shower, LOL.

Go get'im, Rahm! :rofl:

Hekate