Rahm Emanuel's 'F--k The UAW': White House Pushes Back On Account In Rattner Book

[IndianaGreen]

Rahm Emanuel's 'F--k The UAW': White House Pushes Back On Account In Rattner Book

Marcus Baram

First Posted: 09- 3-10 11:02 AM | Updated: 09- 3-10 11:04 AM

The White House is forcefully pushing back on former car czar Steve Rattner's upcoming book about his time in Washington, specifically the allegation that Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel once blurted "Fuck the UAW" when told that tens of thousands of autoworkers' jobs were at stake in the restructuring of the auto industry.

In "Overhaul", as first reported by Huffington Post on Thursday, Rattner offers an insider's account of the Obama administration's rescue of the auto industry, pulling no punches when it comes to describing the foibles of such heavyweights as Emanuel, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, economic adviser Larry Summers and FDIC chair Sheila Bair.

While not specifically denying that Emanuel uttered those words, a White House aide rejected the implication that the chief of staff wasn't looking out for workers toiling at GM and Chrysler.

"Throughout the entire process that saved the auto industry, Rahm tirelessly defended and advocated on behalf of the auto workers," the aide said. "Any suggestion to the contrary is simply ridiculous."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/03/rahm-emanuels-fuck-the-ua_n_704809.html

[bluestateguy]

1. I have no idea if he ever actually said that

but I do think he should go, given his past hostility to Obama supporters on the Left.

Having said that, what is more important is that Obama saved the auto industry from extinction and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Come to Indiana Forum and see what is happening to UAW workers

on account of the bailout of the corporations at the expense of the workers. Another DUer has pointed out that GM used taxpayers' money to build factories in Mexico. GM has also demanded pay cuts in Michigan. Pensioners were hit the hardest, losing much of their health benefits.

[vi5]

4. I suppose you'd prefer what Palin would have done?!?!?

Sorry. I knew this would be coming from someone so I saved them the time and effort and posted this wonderful and well thought out and logical response so they wouldn't have to.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Scab!

There you go doing someone else's job.

:P

[vi5]

12. Well under President Palin I wouldn't have a job...

..so I guess I should just get down on my knees and thank our wonderful democratic leaders for that.

[PurityOfEssence]

17. So if the Obama Administration is just slightly less bad than a McCain one might have been, it's OK?

I'm so sick of this line of "reasoning" and the strong-arming of anyone who criticizes the corporatist machine politics at hand. Anything short of full-on neo-feudalism is JUST FINE, and we should shut the fuck up and thank our lucky stars that the reactionaries aren't in power.

We deserve better, and we can have better; the way to do so is to hold our public servants to account for their promises, inferences and wispy little intimations.

The idea that we're stuck with the corporatism of this particular bunch is one thing, and possibly true, but the idea that to even breathe a complaint or tender a suggestion is some kind of treason to the soul of liberalism is itself a deep insult and nauseating bit of domineering.

[vi5]

19. I hope you know I was being sarcastic...

...If you were just using my smarminess as a jumping off point, then I agree completely. But just so you know my post was mocking that line of reasoning rather than endorsing it. I agree it's ridiculous.

[blue_onyx]

20. That DUer is incorrect

GM is not building new plants. They are investing in their Mexican plant. Yes, it sucks the money isn't being invest in the US. I just wish people would get the facts right.

[Me.]

6. Here's A Clue

"While not specifically denying that Emanuel uttered those words"

[Nite Owl]

3. Is there any reason that

Rattner would have made this up?
It kind of fits a pattern with Rahm so hard to believe a denial.
In any case Rahm should have been fired long ago. His appointment was one of the first disappointments.

[JoePhilly]

7. I seriously doubt that the average UAW worker gives one FLYING F**K ...

that Ralm tends to use the F-word a lot.

[Aramchek]

8. awww, did you not get enough attention in your last thread about this??

[IndianaGreen]

9. Today's WaPo is carrying a similar story as Huffington Post

WaPo goes into far more detail. BTW, Rattner's book does not slam Obama, quite the opposite. Larry Summers and Rahm are something else altogether.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Aramchek]

13. so when this thread drops like a stone, are you going to find another article to post about this?

[IndianaGreen]

15. Should we submit our posts for pre-approval before we post them?

Isn't that kinda Stalinist?

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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

[dionysus]

21. +100

[Political Tiger]

10. Steve Rattner needs this book to sell to help pay for his legal fees

and other costs related to his pay-for-play scandal that scammed New York state pensioners.

[frylock]

18. bravo..

kill the messenger.

[xchrom]

14. the first thing that jumps out at me is 'auto workers'

not 'union workers' or the uaw -- and so on.

fairly significant if you ask me.

which i realize no one is.