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

[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.

[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.

...

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

Are you planning to defending every action of Obama in the next four years?  I though it was about governing?

First, I've heard some of the same comments that Ford is making.  It can be a misstep of the type Clinton made in 1993 (which gave us 1994).

Second, the CoS isn't about **getting along with Congress,** but running a growing White House Staff.  There is a separate position for that.

[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.

...

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

Get used to it.  Democrats hated Bush from the very beginning and Republicans are going to hate Obama from the very beginning.

I don't think this is Obama hating.  There has been criticism from the right of Emmanuel, as John Ford suggested.  The job isn't, as has been suggested, "getting along with Congress."  That could be a problem, considering Congress's approval rating.

Most CoS's have not been gigantically partisan, and Emmanuel could create a perception problem at the least.

[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.

...

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

Get used to it.  Democrats hated Bush from the very beginning and Republicans are going to hate Obama from the very beginning.

There's a difference between hating Obama and trying to spin EVERY SINGLE THING.

This isn't spinning.  The reaction is there (it isn't mine, BTW).  Yes, it could create some problems of perception.

One thing that most posters have wrong is that CoS basically deals with Congress; he doesn't (and Emmanuel has experience outside of the House).

[J. J.]

This thread is suggestive that Republicans are going to attack every single thing that Obama does. I don't remember people complaining about whichever right-wing hack Bush appointed as Chief of staff.

And I've never heard Andrew Card referred to as a "right wing hack."  Here is what someone said:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Card

Now, that said:

A.  A CoS is an intensely personal choice and I'll defend Obama's right to make it.

B.  It is, unfortunately, a choice that makes a President, who claimed to be inclusive, look exclusive.

C.  Rohm, on merits, might be a very good choice.  I'll reserve judgment.  He is experienced in management, both political, and in business.