The Choice of Rahm Emanuel is a declaration of war on Republicans

[The Duke]

The most partisan member of Congress for Chief of Staff?  This essentially means Rahm is running the US government, and I consider it a declaration of war against the GOP.  Rahm has no core beliefs except the desire to elect Democrats.  His hiring cannot be interpreted as anything other than a clear signal that this administration's sole purpose is to build a bigger Democratic Party.

For any Republicans saying, "I'll give Obama the benefit of the doubt", well, guess what, the doubt is removed.  Obama isn't here to make the country better, only to grow the Democratic Party.

[ChrisFromNJ]

For this reason alone, I like the pick.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

How does one define the most partisan member of Congress? And besides, it's Chief of Staff, isn't that a demotion for Rahm? Now, Bernie Sanders for Secretary of Commerce, that would be fun.

[Joe Republic]

A far bigger outrage is Obama's promise to bring a puppy into the White House.  This is a declaration of war against all cat-lovers in this great nation.

Lighten up, John.

[Lunar]

Rahm represents someone who has lots of connections and knows how Congress works. 

I cannot imagine a more *effective* pick for Chief of Staff.

[J. J.]

CoS however, isn't about Congressional Relations.  It's ultimately about managing the staff. 

It will have the GOP up in arms and is reminiscent of some early Clinton missteps. 

It's about governance and it might not be a good choice.

[Person Man]

Hey, Rahm is noted for being a great leader. He would be great in this position. You were thinking he would pick a Republican?

[TomC]

I'd rather Emmanuel replace Pelosi, but whatever.

[Mr.Jones]

Very good choice.

[Lief 🗽]

CoS however, isn't about Congressional Relations.  It's ultimately about managing the staff. 

It will have the GOP up in arms and is reminiscent of some early Clinton missteps. 

It's about governance and it might not be a good choice.

...

Are you going to do this for the next four years too? I thought we'd be done after the election.

[TheresNoMoney]

Ridiculous thread. If Obama picks Emanuel, it's because he wants the person who will be best at helping to push through his legislation in Congress.

Nothing to do with "war on Republicans".  Every president wants to get his legislation passed and achieve his campaign promises.

[MR maverick]

How does one define the most partisan member of Congress? And besides, it's Chief of Staff, isn't that a demotion for Rahm? Now, Bernie Sanders for Secretary of Commerce, that would be fun.

[/b]

Ohhhh NOO.

[tokar]

For this reason alone, I like the pick.

HEHEHEHE...indeeeeed.

[Jacobtm]

Didn't Emanuel propose eliminating the income tax for those making under X amount? I wanna say $100,000 or something...

[TheresNoMoney]

Sean Hannity and Dick Morris are already going crazy over this Emanuel rumor.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

For this reason alone, I like the pick.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'd rather Emmanuel replace Pelosi, but whatever.

Same here.

[JSojourner]

Sean Hannity and Dick Morris are already going crazy over this Emanuel rumor.

Thank Christ.

[Lief 🗽]

Yeah, I'd rather Emanuel become Speaker. I think he'll make a good Chief of Staff though.

[AndrewTX]

I couldn't hate this choice more.  I think he would make a great CoS, but he needs to stay in Congress, perhaps in two years try and make a run for Majority Leader, or Speaker. I really like the guy, and think it would be smarter for him to stay in Congress, than to take a job in the White House that he will probably only keep for 2 or 3 years.

[Bacon King]

I couldn't hate this choice more.  I think he would make a great CoS, but he needs to stay in Congress, perhaps in two years try and make a run for Majority Leader, or Speaker. I really like the guy, and think it would be smarter for him to stay in Congress, than to take a job in the White House that he will probably only keep for 2 or 3 years.

^^^^

Exactly what I've been thinking.

[Eraserhead]

I can't stand the guy but he'll get the job done.

[exopolitician]

Theres rumors saying that Ahnold's name is being floated around for the Secretary of Energy position.

[Verily]

I couldn't hate this choice more.  I think he would make a great CoS, but he needs to stay in Congress, perhaps in two years try and make a run for Majority Leader, or Speaker. I really like the guy, and think it would be smarter for him to stay in Congress, than to take a job in the White House that he will probably only keep for 2 or 3 years.

It is a little odd. A month or two ago we were all saying that Emanuel probably wouldn't accept if Blagojevich offered him Obama's Senate seat because he was better of building up seniority in the House. I'm actually mostly surprised he seems to have accepted the position.

I also don't really understand the allegation made at the beginning of the thread. The Chief of Staff is all about organizing the bureaucracy around the President; sure, Emanuel may be a huge partisan in his politics in the House (not sure I buy him being particularly more partisan than the average House member), but being in an elected position is very different from a partisan perspective from being in an appointed position.

[Storebought]

I've come to the same conclusion as the OP. It's the establishment of a Clinton War room all over again, with Emanuel's added benefit of having direct access to the Chicago machine.