Obama On Rahm, And Rahm On Rahm
Statement from President-elect Barack Obama about his selection of Rep. Rahm Emanuel as WH chief of staff:
“I am pleased to announce that my good friend, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, has agreed to serve as my White House chief of staff. I announce this appointment first because the Chief of Staff is central to the ability of a President and Administration to accomplish an agenda. And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel.
“During his seven years in the Clinton White House, Rahm was the point man on some of the most difficult issues, from the passage of landmark anti-crime legislation to the expansion of health care coverage for children. In just six years in Congress, he has risen to leadership, helping to craft myriad important pieces of legislation and guide them to passage. In between, Rahm spent several years in the private sector, where he worked on large and complicated financial transactions. That experience, combined with his service on the committees on Ways and Means and Banking, have given Rahm deep insights into the challenging economic issues that will be front and center for our Administration. Though Rahm understands how to get things done in Washington, he still looks at the world from the perspective of his neighbors and constituents on the Northwest Side of Chicago, who work long and hard, and ask only that their government stand on their side and honor their values. The son of an Israeli immigrant, Rahm shares a passionate love for this country, and has devoted much of his life to its cause.
“His decision to accept this position is a wonderful reflection of that commitment, for it is not easy to give up the significant position he holds today as chair of the House Democratic conference. The post he has accepted also will require more time away from Amy, and their children, Zach, Ilana and Leah, which I know is painful and difficult.
“I appreciate his friendship. And I, and all Americans, should be grateful that Rahm is once again answering his country’s call."
And a statement from Emanuel:
“I know what a privilege it is to serve in the White House, and am humbled by the responsibility we owe the American people. I’m leaving a job I love to join your White House for one simple reason - like the record amount of voters who cast their ballot over the last month, I want to do everything I can to help deliver the change America needs. We have work to do, and Tuesday Americans sent Washington a clear message – get the job done.
“I have loved the time I spent in the House, both the successes and the setbacks, and I am grateful to the people of the Fifth Congressional district who sent me to work on their behalf. I was proud to serve on a leadership team with Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. They have taught me invaluable lessons—even a few lessons in humility, believe it or not.
“I want to say a special word about my Republican colleagues, who serve with dignity, decency and a deep sense of patriotism. We often disagree, but I respect their motives. Now is a time for unity, and Mr. President-elect, I will do everything in my power to help you stitch together the frayed fabric of our politics, and help summon Americans of both parties to unite in common purpose.
“It has been almost 150 years since Americans turned to a proud son of Illinois as their President. Early in his first term, Abraham Lincoln said, “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.”
“Today, once again, our country is piled high with difficulty, and Americans have put their trust in President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden to think and act anew. And Mr. President-elect, I promise that your White House will do everything in our power to rise to the occasion."
Obama's choice of Rahm is preparation for the 3rd war that is coming.. the Republicans! There will be an onslaught of attempts by the Republican party to derail Obama's plans. Clinton went through it and barely survived. Forget bi-partisanship - it will get ugly.
It doesnt surprise me that Obama picked this guy. A quick read shows him to be a crafty one, and also exactly where his loyalties lie. During Desert Storm in 1991, he was brave enough to serve on the front lines. Trouble is he served not with the USA, but with Israel on their "front lines". This tells me all i need to know about this dangerous guy.
Obama will be a national embarassment and a disaster. You wanted change, you'll get it, alright.
The fact that his new chief of staff is a duel citizen should disqualify him from being in office. He served in the Isreali Army after he stayed in America. If you are a citizen of Israel, then your loyality is to them first. His background is as sketchy as Obamas, but all anyone cares about is race. I'm happy people feel that Obama has help the race issue in America. I am totally against racisim. If I had a nickel for every time I've been called white trash in my life, then I wouldn't be worried about the economy. However, When it comes to this country, I care about our security, and things that affect our people. America needs to focus on itself and stay out of other peoples business. Obama's going to give other countries 50 billion dollars in aid according to his website. Of course, they love us. What better way for Obama to stay up on his world pedestal than to appoint a citizen of Isreal to a key position. I'm at the lower end of the middle class sector of this country. I survive on social security and medicare. Because Obama has put in his health care plan on his website that he will cut subsidies to Medicare advantage plans, I've been informed by my medicare plan insurance company that I will pay 26% more for my medical care next year. I'm a disabled American. I get 590 dollars a month from social security. I will now have to pay out 230 dollars of that toward my health care cost. I got two kids in college and a husband who is a blue collar construction worker. As soon as Obama was elected, my husband's boss informed him that if Obama mandated his company to pay any money for Obama's policies, then his 40 man company will lose a significant amount of people to pay for it. I thought Obama was suppose to look out for us. Obamas first move as our president was to show us where his loyalty lies, with his friends first and his country later. He should be doing what's best for this country and our people. He should protect our national security, and keep our money in our country helping our people. For all those who voted for him and those who are rejoicing about the end of racisim, you got what you wanted, but the 47 million people who didn't vote for Obama didn't. They are people jsut like me and my family. We are struggling working class people. That's the problem with America. Everybody wants what they want at the expense of other people. No one ever things about how their actions will affect other people. I've never made a decision in my life without thinking about how my decision will affect others. I already have to live week to week. Next year, I could lose everything that I have. Thats the change Obama has brought to me. What Obama has done for the world in terms of racisim is insignificate in terms of what I'm facing under his Leadership. I am a democrat and for the first time in my life I voted republican. Because I didn't vote for Obama, I'm now labeled a racist. I put both Mccain's and Obamas, resume, accomplishments, plan outlines and record of integrity all in front of me and made my decision based on how their leadership would affect my family. I told my college age daughters how I felt, and right afterwards I told them that it was important that the form their own opinions and vote for who they thought was right. They both voted for Obama. Both of them have had me to worry about the things they need and finances. I move mountains to pay for college every year for them. They are young and have no idea how their decision to vote for Obama is going to affect their parents work, finances, and future. But still, I told them to vote for who they thought was best. Inexperienced young voters who haven't had to take on the responsibility of meeting their own needs, have hurt their parents in ways they can't see yet. I had no choice as a parent than to ignore the finacial realities of Obama being elected on this family, and tell my daughters to vote with their own mind. I suppose if I had been them, I would have done the same thing. Obama improved how the world looks at us, but when Americans realize that we are going to be second priority to his loyalities to other countries, Obama going to set us back 20 years as American people in terms of our ability to love all people as one nation.
Gail,
So what if he is an Israeli and served in our IDF? Did you forget that if it wasn't for us you would not have any jobs at all. Check it out and most likely your husband's work is owned by a Jew somewhere. If we took all of our businesses back to Israel then you would have nothing to complain about because your husband wouldn't have a job in the first place. As for the $50 billion, yes Obama will send most of that to us so that we can protect your asses in the Middle East. Have you ever thought about that? So stop complaining.
So much for reaching across the isle. Take a look at the voting record and you will see. I am a Democrat and (for the first time in my adult life) I am not so proud of my country.
I voted for Obama in the primary but could not in the final election. I think he has some good ideas but he is not ready to be president. I am afraid the people he appoints will be pulling his strings and he will be no more than a puppet. I wish he would have waited another 8 years so he would have had enough experience to stand on his own two feet. My biggest fear is now that we have finally elected a man of color, we may have elected him to soon for him to do the job he will someday truely be capable of.
What I think you all need to consider in Obama's choice of Rahm (and possibly future choices) are 3 things: 1 - culture is created by the behaviors the leader condones and supports. The culure Obamas is likely to create will be one of measured, pragmatic, respectful behavior.
2 - Effective diversity management is the ability to work through differences to get the job done. The simple fact that Rahm has a different temperament than Obama is an example of his (Obama's) confidence that he can work with people who are different from himself.
3- He is not a pushover. He showed that during the campaign. No one will be pulling his strings.
Elizabeth, San Francisco
What I think you all need to consider in Obama's choice of Rahm (and possibly future choices) are 3 things: 1 - culture is created by the behaviors the leader condones and supports. The culure Obamas is likely to create will be one of measured, pragmatic, respectful behavior.
2 - Effective diversity management is the ability to work through differences to get the job done. The simple fact that Rahm has a different temperament than Obama is an example of his (Obama's) confidence that he can work with people who are different from himself.
3- He is not a pushover. He showed that during the campaign. No one will be pulling his strings.
Elizabeth, San Francisco
Oh come on!! What you are all thinking about is politics as usual! Maybe this time it will be different - remember - CHANGE!! Obama better be strong deal with all the crap that goes on in Capitol Hill! Get ready for the New Deal!!! It's gonna rock many boats and it's about time!
Rahm Volunteered to fight for Israel instead of fighting for US during the Desert Storm. So obviously there is a major conflict of interest when it comes to US-Israeli issues. Positions this high can not be compromised by foreign agents.
If media was not so controlled by the Israeli lobby the public would have heard about this and there would be a national outcry for Obama's unpatriotic pick.
Kjoe, I hope you're right. I truly do. But this is a bad pick in my opinion. Rahm is not change.
Nothing's going to change.
The change this country needs is a mob marching on washington with pitchforks.
Oh, and Kjoe, by the way. The New Deal sucked. World War II brought us out of the depression, not the New Deal. Read your history.
I thought Americans lost their citizenship if they took an oath to a foreign power or served in a foreign military. We need to examine why an exception is being made for Israelis.
I thought Americans lost their citizenship if they took an oath to a foreign power or served in a foreign military. We need to examine why an exception is being made for Israelis.
The problem is not that Rahm Emanuel is a committed ZIONIST with antecedents that include the Stern Gang and LEHI - but that he will be a key member of the new administration. That is a huge shock for those of us around the world who support President elect Obama. It is also a long overdue explanation of that extraordinary meeting with AIPAC at which the totally unexpected and uncalled for promise was given not to allow East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state. Everything has an answer if you wait long enough and now we know that the US will continue to uphold Israel's hegemony in the Middle East and that there will be no peace. How one's hopes have been dashed so quickly - in just a mere 24 hours!
Spreading democracy in the world is a good idea and it must be encouraged. But what Bush did ‘in that direction’ is unacceptable. One historian was saying that he will be admired once Iraq becomes a vibrant democracy which is absolutely incorrect.
First of all, he invaded Iraq not to spread democracy but was dancing according to his father, Bush Senior’s tune. He had been trying for long to find out a reason to invade Iraq. First he told the world that Iraq amassed weapons of mass destruction which was later proved wrong. Then he found Saddam Hussein guilty of oppression. Though it was true, Saddam was not the only one in this world who oppressed the masses and there are many leaders across the world especially in the Middle East with whom Bush had friendly relations. Moreover, being just a leader of one nation, it was never Bush’s business to spread democracy because that itself is not a democratic way of doing things but a classic example of imperialism. If he were genuine in his vision of spreading democracy, he would have done that by taking the world as a whole into confidence and for that the best way was to make the UN a more democratic body and allowing the UN to take steps in that direction.
Later he admitted his mistake by putting all the blame on a false intelligence report! I repeat, even if that intelligence report was true and Iraq had amassed weapons of mass destruction, he had no right to invade a sovereign nation which culminated in killing thousands of innocent Iraqis and American soldiers and creating havoc in that country.
In order to escape from the wrath, he then linked the 9/11 tragedy with Saddam Hussein. The naked truth is that even now, the US and Bush don’t know who had masterminded the 9/11 attack. Finally, Saddam was hanged leveling a crime against him that had taken place a couple of decades ago! Now historian says that Bush will be admired in future. It is absurd. In fact, he was/is an incompetent and ignorant president who doesn’t even know how to speak a couple of meaningful sentences without fumble.
Now for the change that the President-elect Barack Obama says to place, he should do the following things:
1. First of all, he should take steps to prosecute Bush so as to make him answerable to all his crimes by misusing his power during his sojourn in the white house. The first question Bush should answer is, “Who gave Bush the permission to invade a sovereign nation based on a false intelligence report?” Even if the report was genuine and Iraq truly had weapons of mass destructions, he, being just a leader of one nation, had no right to do that. Then he should be made accountable for killing thousands of innocent Iraqis, American soldiers and many others and creating fear across the world. It should be made clear to him as well as everyone across the world that no one in this world is superior or inferior to any other person.
2. He should take initiatives to persuade the people not just in America but all over the world to look beyond religions which will help people unite through integration. Without that, even if he brings changes, that change will not be sufficient enough to make this world a better place to live in.
3. Steps should be taken not to center smile on a few faces but to bring that on all faces. If what I am saying is socialism, it is what is needed.
4. People across the world should be persuaded to distance themselves away from the luxurious lifestyle they embraced now and to prefer a normal life so as to leave this planet at least as it is now which will ultimately help surviving the generations to come. Let the coming generations then praise us for our far-sighted actions.
Obama is where he is because an African American had to be made president forty years after Martin Luther King was killed. God made MLK the Black people's 2nd Moses. MLK looked over that mountaintop and saw Obama as president of the United States. He knew Obama would be president in 2008. MLK didn't have a dream. God gave him a physical vision. He had to call it a dream because had he said vision people would think he was crazy. The reason MLK didn't tell anyone is because attempts would have been made on Obama's life even as a child.
Obama's pick of Emanuel is fine. That said, if Obama doesn't put any African Americans, Hispanic and Asian Americans in his administration he will not get another four years. If he is going to be president of all the people, he can't only have Caucasian Americans in his cabinet. Don't burn your bridges, President-elect Obama. You would not be where you are if African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans did not vote for you. You will not be so privileged with our vote in the future if you ignore us this time around.
Obma's
BROKEN PROMISE NUMBER 1 on day 1
I will reach across the aisle and work with the other side.
So he hires a political hitman. RAMBO.
Who sent a dead fish to a reporter he didnt like.
Who also said DEAD DEAD DEAD to all of the people who went against him while driveing a KNIFE in a table. He is a psycho.
All of you who think this is a way to bring unity are nuts.
Obama's Change? Change to what?
Chicago MOB style politics?
When does Rambo graduate to sending a Horses head?
Moderate Democrats who are descent people their should be ashamed.
What a shock! The Republicans are criticizing Obama for tapping Emanuel to be COS. They were hoping, no doubt, that he'd pick some latte-swilling metrosexual, who is into Project Runway and who they could push around. They now have to deal with a hard-ass who knows how to get things done. Well, Republicans, I have just one thing to say to you: STFU and sit down! Your day in the sun is over. You had your chance and you screwed everything up. Unlike George W. Bush, Obama will not be a front man for a criminal shadow government run by a bunch of criminals. He will not take his walking orders from the board rooms of Big Oil. He won't be your little bitch. You are about to find out (once again) how an intelligent president runs a country. You can bet that Obama will put together a powerhouse government that will include some Repubicans - Rebublicans still worthy of public service and who put the needs of the nation ahead of their one lust for money and power.
"Obama will not be a front man .... for a shadow government .."
ARE YOU SURE? From here it is, unfortunately, looking increasingly like that! Maybe the profile of the newly appointed White House chief of staff and others will give you a clue. Do a little more research, as I have done today, and be prepared to be a little surprised, to say the least, at the unmistakable influence of political Zionism within the new president's inner circle, from where he owes the success of his campaign. Looks like he's just another mouthpiece (like G W Bush) but with a silver tongue, espousing policies and strategies that he is fed from his minders. I wish it were otherwise for I am as sadly disillusioned as anyone can be. I had hoped for such great things ... but I was sadly misinformed. And now I am afraid of the unelected 'shadow government',its real agenda and objectives and its impact upon the world.
Does this mean that israel and AIPAC will be running the american government for four MORE years!!!
My parents, three brothers, little sister and I enjoyed a tour of the White House as the personal guests of Cheryl Mills when she worked with the Clinton Legal team. Our tour took place after hours and the Oval Office as well as adjoining offices and halls were empty. Ms. Mills is an impressive and generous woman with a warmth and intelligence that made me and my family feel very priviledged to be in her company and see where her hard work and commitment had taken her. After peeking into the Oval Office, Ms. Mills started down the hall to see if we could move to our next spot in the tour when Rahm Emanuel came around the corner in a long, dark coat and pushed her body up against the wall. Her arms were pinned up against the wall so she could not politely push him away. Mr. Emanuel proceeded to lean the length of his body against Ms. Mills while he spoke directly into her face. I interpretted his aggressive body language as having a distinctly sexual quality because of the way his body pressed against hers. Any sexual harrassment awareness class would have identified this posture as crossing-the-line. The most seering aspect of site was watching Ms. Mills' eyes cut to the floor in what I interpretted as absolute submission to Mr. Emanuel. In another second, Mr. Emanuel turned his face down the hall and saw our family of 7 staring at him with my former linebacker father poised to jump and defend the talented woman that had so kindly offered her time to share the White House with us. Rham backed off of Ms. Mills' body and she dropped her arm to the side and continued to away from us at the carpet. The half-smile Rahm shot in our direction was followed by a chuckle and he turned to go down the hall in the opposite direction with one hand in his pocket and the other swinging in a casual fashion. Everyone knows a guy who acts like this in their office or as the unwanted college buddy who pops up now and again, but I am sorry that a man who practiced such tactics when he thought no one was looking is now President-elect Obama's Chief of Staff.
You watch to many Soaps Sue. Go write a Romance Novel.
You don't forget seeing someone you hold in very high esteem give in to a bully and being powerless to stop it...
Okay, but I'm suggesting your story is not exactly factually. It sounds like someting you see on Soaps, not real life!
Rham was the man who hired Monica under Clinton. Of course she has dual citizenship too. Obama, watch out who will serve under you too, who will be used against you if you screw up with the AIPAC
Sounds like a good choice to me. Of course there are people like Rush Limbaugh and probably Sean Hannity (whom I do not watch anymore) that will make a stink but who listens to them and who can believe them? Rush had the gaul to call him a "thug". So paranoid. They tried to defame Obama and look where it got them? By the way he is an American citizen. Why the stir on that? Give Obama a chance. He's shown leadership all through the campaign and we have him for 4 years so why jump to conclusions the first 24 hours.Everyone wants to run the show!
I agree it was surreal moment and reads like another Clinton-years soap opera, but every detail can be backed up by the woman who is now the #2 person at NYU Law School. The pundits and the press are saying today that Mr. Emanuel will be the "bad cop" or the "enforcer" for President-elect Obama. My observation from a decade ago tells exactly what that looks like on a personal level.
We all have heard about the posturing and honey-coated bullying that LBJ used in the White House, and I offer the specifics of the encounter I observed to show what Rahm's heralded tactics actually look like.
"Gail,
So what if he is an Israeli and served in our IDF? Did you forget that if it wasn't for us you would not have any jobs at all. Check it out and most likely your husband's work is owned by a Jew somewhere. If we took all of our businesses back to Israel then you would have nothing to complain about because your husband wouldn't have a job in the first place. As for the $50 billion, yes Obama will send most of that to us so that we can protect your asses in the Middle East. Have you ever thought about that? So stop complaining.
Ben Silverstien | 11.06.08 10:23 PM"
Ben Silverstien,
I don't recall having an issue with Jewish people taking our jobs. My issue was Obama's plans to put mandates on a small business that can't afford it, to give employee's benefits. The economy is bad, small companies are not doing the business they use to. If Obama does that, then my husband could lose his job. What does that have to do with Jewish Jobs? Have you been drinking?
The company my husband works for has less than 40 people. They are a small american owned company that began 40 years ago in a small town. The same hard working American man solely owns that company. His work is all done locally for small town people. I have family in the middle east, as well as friends here who are middle eastern. All of them tell me that if you are a citizen of Israel then your loyalities must always go to them first. Israel will expect Emanuel's loyality to them before America. With Emanuels background, in my opinion, it's a national security issue. I didn't say you had to agree with me, I simply stated my opinion. One of my friends from India can't stop laughing. She says, "only in America, could this happen...you know that right?"
I don't believe we should be in the middle east at all. With over 4000 American soldiers dead in the middle east, how exactly are you protecting us? For 50 billion, I want those 4000 men back.
The only thing that's happening by us being in the middle east is America going broke, but that's what our foreign "friends" want right? That 50 billion is aid to other countries who need it, not protection money. My point was we don't have any money here because we keep giving it all to other countries overseas and spending it in other countries. Obama needs to focus on our needs in our country.
The only job that I ever got from a middle eastern man was in a gas station. Although he was a nice man and a good boss, it didn't hurt my feelings none when I left that job. Oh..How grateful I was for the 6.00 and hour job with no future that he gave me too.
If all the companies you are referring to feel as nasty about americans as you do and If you want to take your companies out of the US, then I welcome it. I'd rather work with my hardworking nonviolent god loving spanish friends from Mexico in the pouring down rain, with mud in my bra (and I have), then someone like you who promotes hate, threatens, and thinks I owe him something.
One of the most important people in my life is Jewish and She would never represent herself or any other Jewish person the way you did in your response to me. You should be ashamed of yourself. You know your mother spent many years teaching you better than that.
Susan C. P.,
Thank you for your post on what you saw Emanuel do in the White House. People need to know that, especially the women that are going to be working around him soon. If one of them reads this, then perhaps they'll use caution and not put themselves in a postion where they are alone with him.
Hey Susan, I tried to quote your experience on ABC's political punch blog and they censored my post. They removed it immediately. If Mccain or Bush had been done what Emanuel did, then the media would have been all over it. I believe you saw what you saw. You have absolutely nothing to gain by telling your story.
Hey Susan, I tried to quote your experience on ABC's political punch blog and they censored my post. They removed it immediately. If Mccain or Bush had done what Emanuel did, then the media would have been all over it. I believe you saw what you saw. You have absolutely nothing to gain by telling your story.
from the Wayne Madsen Report (subscriber only)
November 6, 2008 -- Obama faced with security problem at outset of transition process
WMR has learned from informed U.S. intelligence sources that prospective Barack Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has an active FBI counter-intelligence file maintained on him. Emanuel's rise to the Chief of Staff position may pose a significant security problem for President-elect Obama if the FBI insists on conducting the full background security investigation normally required for senior White House officials.
Questions about Emanuel's links to the Israeli intelligence service, the Mossad, were allegedly so great that President Bill Clinton was forced to dismiss Emanuel from the White House staff in 1998. One of the FBI agents who discovered Emanuel's dealings with Israeli intelligence was, according to our sources, the late FBI counter-terrorism Assistant Director John O'Neill. O'Neill retired after being set up in a smear operation involving a temporarily stolen brief case in 2001. O'Neill and another FBI agent who still works for the bureau and shall remain nameless at this point to protect him and his career discovered that Emanuel was heavily involved in the decision to place intern Monica Lewinsky close to President Clinton. O'Neill accepted the top security position for Kroll Associates at the World Trade Center. O'Neill was killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. WMR has also reported that O'Neill was a close friend of slain retired Houston CIA station chief Roland V. "Tony" Carnaby, who was similarly investigating Israeli intelligence operations in the Houston area when Houston police shot and killed him last April.
Emanuel reportedly had knowledge of Israeli intelligence penetration of White House communications systems and Lewinsky, in sworn testimony before the Office of Independent Counsel, stated: "He [Clinton] suspected that a foreign embassy [it is now known that embassy was that of Israel] was tapping his telephones, and he proposed cover stories." Lewinsky continued, "If ever questioned, she should say that the two of them were just friends. If anyone ever asked about their phone sex, she should say that they knew their calls were being monitored all along, and the phone sex was just a put on."
WMR has learned from U.S. intelligence sources that Emanuel was discovered to be part of a political intelligence and blackmail operation directed against Clinton by Israel's Likud Party and Binyamin Netanyahu to sink Clinton's proposed Middle East peace deal. We have also learned that the FBI investigation of Emanuel is part of a file code-named the "Mega file." "Mega" is a reference to a top-level Mossad agent in the Reagan administration who was said to have run a number of Israeli agents, including U.S. Navy spy Jonathan Pollard.
You would think that the media would investigate all that you and the others have asserted in this blog, and put in out there for all Americans. The media has so much power over what American's believe and they are being very selective in who they attack. If Bush or Mccain's background was as sketchy as Emanuel and Obamas, the media would be reporting it so much that everyone would be unhappy. It makes me wonder if the media is refusing to report the things they normally would on our leaders because of race. Be fair and impartial, and look at Obama and Emanuel in the same way you looked at Mccain and Bush. Come on!!!