Obama wants Emanuel for top post

I do not think this is a great pick. I say this without even knowing this guy, but just on the principal that this will feed into the "he's going to be bringing all the crooks from CHI into DC" crap from the Pugs. I am sure there are equally, or better qualified candidates to choose from in other markets. I also know that choosing someone you KNOW is worth something too.

Obama obviously isn't considering a woman for this or any top posts. White men will have a lock on all of the key cabinet positions. You heard it here first. Congrats ladies - your support of Obama means that glass ceiling will stay firmly in place.

I'd hope to see a place in the White House for Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe. Anyone who could carry out a campaign that thorough, that effective, and that well-organized should do a terrific job in keeping the "business" end of President Obama on-course.

The best move President-elect Obama could make would be not to bring campaign staff into government positions. That would go a long way to implement his "new" kind of politics and send a strong message. Save campaign folks for the DNC.

So much for "change" by bringing in one of the most partisan politicians in Washigton to be Obama's chief enforcer.

what are the chances he'll take Stroger, Daley, and his "political god father" too?

too much to hope for?

I was under the impression that Barack had not spoken publicly about any other picks that he may have in mind for a Cabinet position aside from Chief of Staff. On whose authority would we know that he isn't considering a woman for any?

He'e leaned on two women -- Valerie Jarrett and Susan Rice -- as senior advisers during this two-year campaign. I am not sure why one would assume that he wouldn't consider women for a position in his cabinet, particularly with Hillary and Kathleen Sebelius being tangible options, albeit the former publicly declined to be considered for a position.

In general, however, we should withhold assumptions until announcements are made, or at the very least, until news is reported.

HEAR HEAR

"He understands the Congress and the ways of Washington, knowledge that would be immensely valuable to an Obama administration."

So basically, he is a Washington insider!? Someone who knows how Washington works...imagine that! Surprise, did anyone on here actually think that Obama wouldn't bring his Chicago cronies, er, buddies to Washington?

By the way, the reason this was leaked was because the Obama camp wants to see how this will play out with the press and the public, i.e., they are wondering if people will seize upon the irony and controversy regarding the Emmanuel offer.

Oh, and Xcellentform, I am not a "Pug". I am a political skeptic, and rightly so -- guys like me put in Obama in office yesterday, okay. Forgive me for wanting to hold him accountable for his promises....

Are people kidding when they write about bringing the crooks from Chicago to Washington. What universe are you living in, the political hacks in general are all crooks and they setup the program so all benefit from it. Rahm Emmanuel is pretty sharp and I think he will be an asset to O.B. and I hope he takes the post.

He's always in it for himself and usually that comes first even if his boss tells him to do it. Just ask Bill Clinton what Rahm and George Stephanopoulos did with some polling numbers in the '90's that the media got ahold of.

Ed, Thanks for the vote, but if you wanted m-a-verics from the outside, you might have voted for the wrong ticket. Obama has always said that he would surround himself with a great group of people. He did this with his VP pick, and I would expect him to bring seasoned people into the cabinet. This was WELL talked about before hand, so this should not shock you. Obama did not play up the outsider theme.

This could turn out interesting for how long--

So much for governing all of the people. Emmanuel is one of the most partisan people out there. He would not be on any short-list for picking someone who can bridge differences, reach across the aisle, etc. Just terrible.

I guess if we count Obama's lie about taking public campaign funds as Lie #1 of the election, then this COULD be Lie #1 of his Administration.

I suppose it's a tossup between this and the $250,000 income threshold for taxes that keeps dropping. Oh, I guess that's an election lie. It will be hard to keep track.

My enthusiasm is waning already. Rahm Emanuel is the Democratic Godfather.

I'd rather see Hillary as a Supreme Court Justice than in the Cabinet

Dear Rahm:

Please take the position so that my district will finally have a hope of being represented by someone who isn't a rabid partisan shill and who is at least as interested in the needs of his constituency as the fortunes of his party.

Your Friend,

-The Enemy

Don't comment on the guy if you don't know the guy. It hurts me to see an opinion formed in blatant ignorance.

How can Obam trust these Chicago Conections , as most turned against Hillary-Could trun out intersting-

This doesn't seem like a bipartisan, conciliatory type of a move.
What happened to the nice guys like Plouffe and Daschle???
Everyone needs to catch up on their sleep apparently.

Wow -- so many comments in here act as if it'd be a great personal fortune for Rahm if he takes the position.

White House Chief of Staff is a job probably even more stressful than POTUS. Evidence for that is documented. Rahm makes the case that his kids and family will probably suffer if he takes on such a grueling job.

You should feel sorry for the guy rather than slam on him. On one hand, he might have a chance to help shape history. On the other hand, he's got a family situation that *will* suffer for that decision.

I hope he and his wife and family can come to the right decision and be able to have good fortunes with whatever he chooses.

--Signed, a Human Being.

HumanBeing,

I completely agree with you and I'm one of those banished Neo-Con Wingnuts. That Chief of Staff guy is out there practically every day, promoting the lie of the day. You would have to have stainless steel, 316 grade, in your blood to do that, day after day. On the flip side, though, he will be talking to the rest of the Team, aka The Press, and that part of it shouldn't be too bad a gig. Nice Work If You Can Get It, Ira Gershwin said once upon a time.

U democrats seem to be in a little bit of turmoil here. This is your moment, your time, the time that you have been waiting for. Don't ruin it before it gets going good.

Your vanquished friend, N Xcile, just trying to reach out and show support for the New Regime - Django