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As expected, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will step down Friday, to make a bid for Chicago mayor.
White House senior adviser Pete Rouse -- who was Obama's chief of staff when he served in the Senate -- will be named as his successor, most likely on an acting basis.
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Countdown 'till canned response from the peanut gallery...?
That's actually fallen into the realm of one of the canned responses...:)
You probably meant the one about rodents and sinking vessels...
He wants to mayor, good for him....
It could also be handled by the pointless insane "Corrupt Chicago Politician" rant.
Dangerfield: You're probably right. ;p
And yeah, sinking ships, rodents fleeing, etc. All that cal, my little droogies.
Same as with Da Noid's statement about pestilent politicos in Chicago itself.
ED-
Don't go getting all Nadsat on me or you may be subject to having your gulliver strapped back and your glassies held open...watching attack ads...
Ah, Dystopia!
As horrorshow as a nochy down at the ol' Korova Milk Bar~
Rahm. I will miss him. I was always struck by the long long hours put in last year during the health care reform. Everybody looked dog tired. And I mean everybody. Yet Rahm always looked healthy; he was always smiling - at least in public. I remember reading that at the beginning of the Obama Administration, his family was still in Chicago and it was difficult for him to be away from them. I would imagine that President Obama is going to miss him a great deal. And now he wants to be Mayor, a most difficult job for anyone in any large city. I admire him for not walking away, especially after how tough these two years have been for him. But he has decided to remain in the boxing ring all this time. Beginning during the Clinton Administration. I wish he hadn't said some of the things he said, but I could say that about just about anyone in public life.
He has given his life to public service. Good for him.
White. I'll never forget that story. White. lol
Pat:
Everything you said is true, and you are much more charitable than I. I do wish him well in his bid to be the Mayor of Chicago.
However, (you knew a however was coming) I felt he was much too hard on Howard Dean and his presence as Chief of Staff set a combative tone in the WH. I'm hoping to see a more soft- spoken (yet powerful) Chief of Staff. Let's see who President Obama picks.
Ron, if I remember correctly, he didn't want to take the job. He took it because President Obama was his friend, it was a new Administration and President Obama probably needed someone with experience at such a time.
It wouldn't have mattered how combative Rahm is. Nothing differently would have happened. The GOP weren't going to work with President Obama on anything.
Pat as much as i like Rahm, i just don't think he has what it takes to be mayor of Chicago. he will have to deal with a city that is very political, with budget problems the city is facing, why would he leave to run, you know its no grantee he will win.
Any and everything he has done in the past will come out, running for mayor of chicago is as tough as running for president.
If he wins he will have to deal with a corrupt cook county government, O'hare expansion, property tax increase(something mayor daley did not do no matter how bad the budget was) the city unions, city services, the illinois general assembly in springfield (there not on the best of terms with the city) city unions, (there were receptive to concessions but that was with mayor daley) the state is 11 billion in debt) the chicago public schools (still one of the worse in the nation),
crime, crime, crime. the city is going through a tough time with crime in areas that for years were very quite, but because of the housing authority tearing down the housing project that were a haven for dope dealers, gangs, now those people have been spread out through the south side and crime in middle class area is at a all time high. the police department is experiencing a very low shortage on officers, right now they don't have the funds to replace retiring officers. the police chief contract is expiring so he may have to replace him, mayor daley went out side the department to hire him from the FBI. the force is down 1000 officers from this time 2 years ago. the fire department is having the same problem.
the chicago teachers uinion is a real problem. they are doing what they can to stop some of the changes that are trying to be made, but with the system experiencing a 500 million dollar short fall from year to year, he will have to find a way to either break that union or make then accept concessions, last year they refused to for go a 4% raise, that would have helped balance the budget.
Now given all that i really don't think he has what it takes to bring people together, god Knows mayor daley who was very popular had his troubles. imagin what rahm trying to work with all this.
my city has problems yes and i love there,i was born and raised on the south side, but rahm has been removed for 4 years from the citys inner workings. i just don't see it.
Pat: your memory serves you better than mine. So I stand corrected. But I will hold to my position that you have an outstanding use of language and history. I'm not shining you on...it's true.
"I was always struck by the long long hours put in last year during the health care reform."
Rahm worked long long hours on healthcare reform alright, only problem is he was working for the Insurance Industry, his work is one of the main reasons the Public Option got killed and the bill ended up being nothing more than a Federal mandate for taxpayer subsidation of the health insurance industry. President Obama will be better off with out this Corporate flunky clouding his judgement.
He's a QUITTER!! Thank God no one votes for QUITTERS!
Chicago needs another corrupt @!$%# to drive their city further in the gutter. I'm sure Oblamer will step on some necks to make sure he gets the job!
Chicago, they'll never learn their lesson....
To Jeff:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Named 1949)
Lt-Col Edward ‘Butch’ O’Hare, USN, (1914 – 1943) was a World War II US flying ace, awarded the Medal of Honor in February, 1942. ‘Butch’ O’Hare disappeared on November 26, 1943, while leading the US Navy's first-ever night-time fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this encounter, O’Hare’s F6F Hellcat was shot down: his body was never found.
________
His story is one of the truly amazing stories to come out of WWII. Very brave.
Vote Dem Out!! only took an hour to prove me right. :D
Pat, Boston, MA
To Jeff:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Named 1949)
O'Hare airport the only Irish air port in the nation. named by the first mayor Daley, a fellow Irishmen.
Vote Dem Out!!
He's a QUITTER!! Thank God no one votes for QUITTERS!
Chicago needs another corrupt @!$%# to drive their city further in the gutter. I'm sure Oblamer will step on some necks to make sure he gets the job!
Chicago, they'll never learn their lesson....
this is why no one will ever vote for sarah palin, as you said your self, no one votes for a quitter. she is the biggest quitter in america.
I can see your not from chicago, never care any thing about chicago, so why would any body give 2 craps about what you just said. chicago is the only gutter that is cleaner than most big citys. i guess you feel the same about LA, Philly, DC, New York.
i can see you live on a farm in the middle of NO WHERE!!!!!
Mayor Rahm!
He's a QUITTER! You Dems HATE quitters!
Rahm wants to run for Mayor of Chicago and you call him a quitter? That doesn't make sense.
Now Sarah. She's a quitter. One of the biggest quitters out there. And most famous. And the GOP own her.
You read my mind, Pat! After a career in public service, Mr. Emanuel leaves one job to seek an even more challenging one---that is a winner to me, not a quitter. Contrast that to Ms. Palin, who left an elective job after two years to make big money writing a book and appearing on Fox---not a winner to me.
Rahm Emanuel was appointed by President Obama to be Chief of Staff.
Sarah Palin was elected by the people of Alaska to be Governor.
Rahm Emanuel resigned to run for Mayor of Chicago.
Sarah Palin resigned to sell a book, give high-priced political speeches, ramble incoherently on FOX News and accrue a lovely collection of "bendy straws".
BIG DIFFERENCE.
Rahm is a QUITTER! He'll lose anyway. Better, more experienced corrupt idiots will be running against him. The most corrupt will get the job...unless Oblamer hires ACORN (or whatever their new name is) for voter registration program again.
We will miss him and wish him the very best.
Hopefully the President will Put in Ed Randell, Pa he would be great, however in the meantime this will hurt further because of the following actions of those who say they are attempting to help Struggling Families but continue to Bash any help Struggling could reasonably expect! Here’s a great example, Just what do these people expect their bashing will impact?
Early Morning Swim: Jane Hamsher Firedog Lake Predicts White House Badgering Could Depress Voter Turnout on “GMA”
Folks, It’s interesting when you go on national TV and attempt to Depress Voters Because you didn’t get what you wanted and come back and put this headline in your “Blog”
Unfortunately Jane Hamsher, A. Huffington last night on Rachael telling us how the president feels about us, (how would she know?) and others simply don’t get that this election is about People’s lives.
These people come on TV they have cushy jobs, homes their children if they have any are safe, they get a pay check every month yet they continue to hurt the very people they pretend to be speaking for.
When will they get that this is about people’s lives they have lost jobs, homes their children don’t know where their next meal is coming from
Yet those who pretend to help them and be a voice for them do and say everything that will turn this country into a third world order, two classes the rich and everyone else.
If you are for the Middle Class & those in Poverty…………………
It’s very apparent that although they claim the Republicans can’t identify with them they cannot either so either is just as bad
When you are helping those in need and suffering your take “Self” out of the way the
“Headlines” don’t matter
These people come on TV and go back to their Blogs and make “Themselves” the headline”
So listen up Huffington, Firedog Lake, it’s about People who are hurting not you!
You Bash The Republicans and say they are the worst that can happen and you also tell those hurting that those who are helping them mean them no good; you can’t have it both ways
Most important this is about “Families Hurting With No Money, NO Jobs, No Furture Prospects” and none of you bashing those trying to fix this country seem to understand that!
So Keep Pushing Against The Helpless & Those In Need
You Guys Are Doing A Heck Of A Job!
These people are hurting more than the President or anyone ever has
It’s a shame because everytime they do this Hurting Families Loose!
If anyone in the Democratic Party says something negative about the left, it's talked about 24/7 for days on end. The whining is ridiculous and incredible immature. It's all about "them".
No backbone. None whatsoever. Some on the left haven't been exactly behaving with dignity themselves. You would think that they would put this all aside for the midterms. But no, they can't do that. It's all about them. Now.
Do they care about this country? Do they care enough not to put our children into the hands of the GOP?
No. It's all about them. They work hard, they get out there and do great work. But heaven forbid someone says something negative about them.
Ed Randell? He should be concentrating on the Senate campaign in PA 24/7. He himself has not handled himself with too much graciousness. But you know what?
You.let.it.go during the midterms. You unite and work together.
To hear Arrianne and Jane Hampsher talk, they elected Obama single handedly, and since he didn't perform exactly up to their high standards, they'll crap on him and go back to the GOP. These two women are a disgrace...
Lyn, I agree. Arianna is trying to sell her book. She has become nothing but one big know-it-all.
And Jane? No words to describe her. No words. I see her on tv and I'm gone. And she is someone I used to have a great deal of respect for.
This is about the time they get pooped out from all the long hours and constant barrage of questions and crapola they get from their opposites. It happens in all modern administrations. It happened in nearly every administration where people want something else and are burned out working at the White House.
Mr. Emanuel may do well as mayor of Chicago and maybe not. It is for the people of Chicago to decide that and whether they want to vote for him. After all they voted for the Dailys so their standards or definition of what makes a mayor may be different than other cities or small bergs across the country.
Good luck to him and to his successor at the White House whoever ends up being a "permanent" replacement.
He's a QUITTER! You Dems would never vote for a quitter now would you?
Rahm Emanuel was not elected by anyone champ.
So what, HE QUIT his job midterm. HE'S A QUITTER!
you do know Rahm is a closet corporate Republican don't you.
My earliest memory of Rahm was Obama inauguration day when he thanked President Bush for his years of tireless service by “flipping him off “on national TV as Bush stepped down. On that day, I learned the proper way to salute the current president. On that day, he set the tone and direction for what has become the most divisive administration in US history as well as the most, foul mouthed administration.
It comes as no surprise that Rahm’s mouth is as foul as his hands. Where goes the hand and mouth, so goes the mind, body and soul.
So please, join me in saluting Rahm in the manner in which he so hatefully taught us.
Did you see what the Bush Administration did to Iraq? Did you see all the thousands of innocent people killed for no reason?
As far as foul mouth Administrations go, check out Richard Nixon's tape recorded telephone conversations. Hard to believe he was our President.
Come on Pat. Don’t abandon your principles in order to defend a guy as indefensible as Rahm and his behavior. He isn’t worth it.
Please spare me the twisted correlation between a man thinking he’s having a private phone conversation and Rahm, the VP and his foul friends on national television.
And yes I did see the thousands of innocent bodies in the many mass graves that were discovered. It was mass destruction at the hands of Saddam and weapons were used to achieve the result, which means there were indeed weapons of mass destruction. It looked to me like we should have gotten there sooner. But I’m thankful for the millions of lives we did liberate and save even if you aren’t.
"Come on Pat. Don’t abandon your principles in order to defend a guy as indefensible as Rahm and his behavior. He isn’t worth it."
____________
He isn't worth it? What an incredible thing to say. Try looking at his voting record instead of just listening to the right and the left in this country.
http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel.htm
Saddam caused mass destruction. So didn't we. By the thousands and thousands. That's what the Bush Administration gave us. And it was disgraceful. But you're thankful for the millions of lives we did liberate? Look at Rahm's voting record and tell me how sincere you are. Your party does nothing to ensure the safety of our own lives here in America.
Obama should have a grand celebration to send rahm on his way, and announce Howard Dean as his replacement, someone who actually gives a damn about people in this country that weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
Emanuel is prepared for the windy city after watching Congress perfect blowing smoke and talking hot air. http://www.onelineheadline.com
Look at it however you like but Rahm's leaving along with so many other aids to the president does not look good. It makes me wonder what people were thinking when our president took office. Did they jump on the wagon thinking they would be part of a presidential joy ride and then the fun part wore off? Or, perhaps things truly are that bad in president Obama's DC?
I'm really interested in what history will have to say in regards to this president. Would such a book on the subject be titled "Smashing Hope. How The GOP Destroyed a President"? Or perhaps how the media destroyed Obama....
Didn't take long for the right to bring their anti-Obama talking points to the table. The turnover in any administration begins right about this point in a presidential term; it is a matter of record.
History will be kind to President Obama unlike his predecessor. But keep on wishin' and hopin'.
I like Rahm, he is smart and a hard worker; anyone working in the WH basically has very little life outside of work. Everyone of them sacrifices a good deal. It is easy to forget that he really did not want the job but instead gave up his personal goal to help President Obama. I may not always agree with him but he is a good guy. As for Howard Dean, I like him but he can also be abrasive.
Next time you're in the shower with Rahm, don't drop the soap.
Rahm's a QUITTER! Dems don't vote for quitters.
David Axelrod is also a quitter. Boy, lots of quitters in Obama's administration. I wonder why? Maybe because he's a terrible boss?
Oh, I know, it's because HE SUCKS!