GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Rahm Emanuel Rahm Emanuel (born November 29, 1959) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing Illinois's 5th congressional district which covers much of the north side of Chicago and parts of suburban Cook County. Emanuel was chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2006 elections. After the Democratic Party regained control of the House, he was elected as the next chairman of the Democratic Caucus. He is the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House, behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Steny Hoyer and Whip Jim Clyburn.[1] Emanuel is noted for his strong style and his fundraising prowess.[2] He is co-author with current Democratic Leadership Council President Bruce Reed of the 2006 book The Plan: Big Ideas for America. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. On November 6, 2008, President-Elect Barack Obama asked him to become Chief of Staff in his new administration, which Emanuel accepted.[3][4][5][6] Rahm Emanuel (Hebrew: רם עמנואל) was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father, the Jerusalem-born Benjamin M. Emanuel, is a pediatrician and was a member of the Irgun, a militant Zionist group before the founding of Israel. His mother, Martha Smulevitz, worked as an X-ray technician and was the daughter of a local union organizer.[2] She became a civil rights activist; she was also once the owner of a Chicago-area rock and roll club.[7] The two met in Chicago in the 1950s.[8] Emanuel's older brother, Ezekiel, is a noted oncologist and bioethicist, and his brother, Ari, is a talent agent in Los Angeles and inspired Jeremy Piven's character Ari Gold on the HBO series Entourage.[2] Emanuel himself is also the inspiration for the character Josh Lyman on The West Wing.[2] He also has a younger sister named Shoshanna, 14 years his junior.[2] When his family lived in Chicago, he attended Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, a Jewish day school. After his family moved to Wilmette, he attended public school: Romona School, Wilmette Junior High School, and New Trier High School.[8] Emanuel was encouraged by his mother to take ballet lessons as a boy and is a graduate of the Evanston School of Ballet. He won a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet but turned it down to attend Sarah Lawrence College, a liberal arts school with a strong dance program.[2][9]He graduated from college in 1981, and went on to receive a master's degree in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985. While still a student at Sarah Lawrence, he joined the congressional campaign of David Robinson of Chicago.[citation needed] He began his political career with the public interest and consumer rights organization Illinois Public Action. He went on to serve in a number of capacities in local and national politics, initially specializing in fundraising for Illinois campaigns and then nationally.[citation needed] Emanuel worked for Democrat Paul Simon's 1984 election to the U.S. Senate, was the national campaign director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1988, and then was senior advisor and chief fundraiser for Richard M. Daley's victorious campaign for Mayor of Chicago in 1989.[citation needed] At the start of then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton's presidential primary campaign Emanuel was appointed to direct the campaign's finance committee. Emanuel left to volunteer as a civilian volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces during the 1991 Gulf War, serving in one of Israel's northern bases, rust-proofing brakes.[10][11] Emanuel then re-joined Clinton's campaign, serving as Director of Finance. Emanuel insisted that Clinton schedule a lot of time for fundraising and greatly delay campaigning in New Hampshire. After much dispute within the campaign about the issue, Clinton eventually agreed, embarking on an aggressive fundraising campaign across the nation. The fundraising paid off later, providing the campaign a vital buffer to keep buying television time as attacks on Clinton's character threatened to swamp the campaign during the New Hampshire primary.[citation needed] Clinton's most serious primary rival, Paul Tsongas (the New Hampshire Democratic primary winner in 1992), later withdrew, citing a lack of campaign funds. Richard Mintz, a Washington public relations consultant who worked with Emanuel on the campaign, spoke about the soundness of the idea: "It was that million dollars that really allowed the campaign to withstand the storm we had to ride out in New Hampshire [over Clinton's relationship with Gennifer Flowers and the controversy over his draft status during the Vietnam War]."[12] Emanuel's knowledge of the top donors in the country, and his rapport with potential donors within the Jewish community helped Clinton amass a then-unheard-of $72 million.[12] Following the campaign, Emanuel became a senior advisor to Clinton at the White House from 1993 to 1998. In the White House, Emanuel was initially Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He was a leading strategist in the unsuccessful White House efforts to institute universal healthcare and many other Clinton initiatives.[13] One of his proudest moments during the Clinton administration "was an event that touched his political sensibilities and his personal ties to Israel: the 1993 Rose Garden signing ceremony after the Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine. Emanuel directed the details of the ceremony, down to the choreography of the famous handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat."[12] At this point of his political career he was known for his intensity. Notably, he reportedly told British Prime Minister Tony Blair, prior to Blair appearing in public with Clinton for the first time after the Lewinsky scandal, "This is important. Don't fuck it up."[13] Emanuel is said to have "mailed a rotting fish to a former coworker after the two parted ways."[12] On the night after the 1996 election, "Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name."[2] His "take-no-prisoners attitude" earned him the nickname "Rahm-bo".[12] People who worked with Emanuel at that time "insist the once hard-charging staffer has mellowed out." He left the White House to accept a well-paid position at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein investment bank in Chicago, where he worked from 1999 to 2002 and reportedly earned US $18 million.[14] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 That's the bipartisanship I was hoping for out of the Obama campaign! And BTW, stay classy, Rahm Emanuel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JJBrickface Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 That's the bipartisanship I was hoping for out of the Obama campaign! And BTW, stay classy, Rahm Emanuel! Is CNN talking about how great of a pick this is yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainman74 12 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 No Fox was talking about how great of a pick he is. He is Bi- partisan, very stern, and tough. He also volunteered to fight for Israel a few years back. People worried about Obamas stance on Israel got answered with this choice. Straight from the Republican headquarters(Fox). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzsawBeaver 12 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 No Fox was talking about how great of a pick he is. He is Bi- partisan, very stern, and tough. He also volunteered to fight for Israel a few years back. People worried about Obamas stance on Israel got answered with this choice. Straight from the Republican headquarters(Fox). How so, just because he's a jew doesn't mean he'll back Israel against Iran, jews turn on jews all the time, blacks turn on blacks, whites turn on whites, ect., not to mention obama and Iran's president are aready smiling back and forth. I guess some of the change is that the U.S. policy is going to start negotiating with terrorists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzsawBeaver 12 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 socialism playbook 101 "Rep. Rahm Emanuel wants to force people 18 to 25 to labor for the government. Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, President-Elect Barack Obama's choice for chief of staff in his incoming administration, is co-author of a book, The Plan: Big Ideas for America, that calls for, among other things, compulsory service for all Americans ages 18 to 25. The following excerpt is from pages 61-62 of the 2006 book: "It's time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, All Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service. ... Here's how it would work. Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They'll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we're hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities' most pressing needs." Emanuel and co-author Bruce Reed insist "this is not a draft," but go on to write of young men and women, "the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service." They also warn, "ome Republicans will squeal about individual freedom," ruling out any likelihood that they would let people opt out of universal citizen service. As chief of staff, Emanuel will not be in a position to directly introduce public policy, but his enthusiasm for compulsory service, combined with Barack Obama's own plan to require high school students to perform 50 hours of government-approved service, suggest an unfortunate direction for the new administration." It's certainly not a suggested policy yet, but it shows the mindset you people have voted into power, you'll still get your checks and college tuition though, after your 3 month government education training. That's of course after you do your 50 hour service to your lenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaveFan09 50 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 SUPPORT your president Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 No Fox was talking about how great of a pick he is. He is Bi- partisan, very stern, and tough. He also volunteered to fight for Israel a few years back. People worried about Obamas stance on Israel got answered with this choice. Straight from the Republican headquarters(Fox). That's funny, I was watching a little bit of Fox & Friends this morning and those three didn't like him for C.O.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 SUPPORT your president I do support Obama. I'm just not a big fan of his choice for Chief of Staff, is all. Just because I don't agree with his choice doesn't mean I'm not supporting him. Remind you of 5 years ago at all? Wow, how quickly we forget when the shoe's on the other foot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 SUPPORT your president #1- He isn't our President yet...not until January... #2- Why should I support someone I didn't vote for and don't like the political thinking of??? #3- Why haven't you supported President Bush for the last eight years??? #4- As an American, I have a right to voice my opinion...until the President-elect takes that Constitutional right away from me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 He is Bi- partisan, very stern, and tough. Ummm, PLEASE look up the definition of "bi-partisan". This guy is the furthest thing from "bi-partisan" that Barry could possibly find...he is one of the most left-wing liberal Democrats in American politics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate1 10 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Yeah, he's not bi-partisan at all, but honestly isn't the Chief of Staff job usually given to a partisan bulldog? I'm much more interested to see who he picks for his important cabinet posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Yeah, he's not bi-partisan at all, but honestly isn't the Chief of Staff job usually given to a partisan bulldog? I'm much more interested to see who he picks for his important cabinet posts. Don't worry, the rest of his cabinet will be as left-wing liberal as his COS... You all wanted change, well, you're going to get it...and not in a good way for America...:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuceswild 15 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Don't worry, the rest of his cabinet will be as left-wing liberal as his COS... You all wanted change, well, you're going to get it...and not in a good way for America...:( You sound like me 8 years ago dude. Trust me, if you don't like it, you'll get used to it. Canada isn't that far away though? Sorry your man didn't win.. but that's just how democracy goes sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacker 82 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Do you know that the Chief of Staff's job is. He serves as the gatekeeper for the President. It is a big part of his job to make sure the staff is focused on the President's priorities and that Congressional leaders are on board with the issues. The best one's are nearly invisible to the public unless they are put on point on something. Ole G.W.'s best Chief of Staff was a guy named Andy Card. He kept the Bush agenda on track, and did so without becoming recognizable. I can't even tell you what he looks like. As for me, if I had an important executive position again, I want my point man to be a no nonsense SOB who is loyal to me, and can get the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 You sound like me 8 years ago dude. Trust me, if you don't like it, you'll get used to it. Canada isn't that far away though? Sorry your man didn't win.. but that's just how democracy goes sometimes. McCain wasn't my choice either...and I will NEVER "get used" to having an Islamic, baby-killing, Socialist, friend of terrorists running, or should I say RUINING, my country... Just remember...be careful what you ask for because you might just get it...you asked for change, well, you're going to get change...:mad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuceswild 15 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 McCain wasn't my choice either...and I will NEVER "get used" to having an Islamic, baby-killing, Socialist, friend of terrorists running, or should I say RUINING, LOL!! People really believe this stuff?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 #1- He isn't our President yet...not until January... #2- Why should I support someone I didn't vote for and don't like the political thinking of??? #3- Why haven't you supported President Bush for the last eight years??? #4- As an American, I have a right to voice my opinion...until the President-elect takes that Constitutional right away from me... "why haven't you supported President Bush"... Maybe he didn't vote for Bush... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 LOL!! People really believe this stuff?? Apparently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 McCain wasn't my choice either...and I will NEVER "get used" to having an Islamic, baby-killing, Socialist, friend of terrorists running, or should I say RUINING, my country... Just remember...be careful what you ask for because you might just get it...you asked for change, well, you're going to get change...:mad: You're right...we should continue the course of the last 8 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldgeneral 10 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Give him the opportunity to unite the gov't and the country. The negative nancies kill me. I didn't vote Bush either time...right decision too, but I gave him support until he f'd it up several billion times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuceswild 15 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Yeah I never was a big fan of Bush.. didn't vote for Bush. And as President, I always felt for sure he was doing what was best for our nation. Maybe Kerry or Gore wouldn't have done much better, there were many circumstances during Bush's tenure that not many other Presidents had to endure.. that is not his fault. But the last 2-3 years of Bush really really saddened and disappointed me. He had his chance. It's Obama's now. I really hope he can pull both sides together. It's ironic to me that almost 50 years after the civil rights movement, we have a black president and still ignorant hatred and division amongst the people. Maybe blue states and red states should have their own water fountains and seats on the bus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Give him the opportunity to unite the gov't and the country. The negative nancies kill me. I didn't vote Bush either time...right decision too, but I gave him support until he f'd it up several billion times. I'm with you...Bush is pulling a disappearing act RIGHT NOW when we need a leader the most...he's a joke of a president...At least Obama is trying to move the country forward...already and he hasn't even taken office yet. That tells me enough about the character of both men. Let the Republicans piss and moan...that's about all they've got to cling to now...except for their "guns"...sorry, couldn't resist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Yeah I never was a big fan of Bush.. didn't vote for Bush. And as President, I always felt for sure he was doing what was best for our nation. Maybe Kerry or Gore wouldn't have done much better, there were many circumstances during Bush's tenure that not many other Presidents had to endure.. that is not his fault. But the last 2-3 years of Bush really really saddened and disappointed me. He had his chance. It's Obama's now. I really hope he can pull both sides together. It's ironic to me that almost 50 years after the civil rights movement, we have a black president and still ignorant hatred and division amongst the people. Maybe blue states and red states should have their own water fountains and seats on the bus. I have heard the most ignorant and racist comments by people the past couple of days and it's sickening...not on this board, but out in public...I cannot believe the narrow mindedness and just flat out predjudice of some people and the hate coming from people's mouths and the most disturbing part is I'm hearing it from young and old...You'd think that young people these days wouldn't see color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 (edited) I have heard the most ignorant and racist comments by people the past couple of days and it's sickening...not on this board, but out in public...I cannot believe the narrow mindedness and just flat out predjudice of some people and the hate coming from people's mouths and the most disturbing part is I'm hearing it from young and old...You'd think that young people these days wouldn't see color. I've said this almost like a mantra over the past 3 days, but racism is a two-way street. Racism is not an issue to be taken lightly, and it's a term that I don't throw around willy-nilly. But there are obvious examples of it in this campaign, IMO. I've seen people wearing t-shirts that said: "I voted black". I've heard people say: "we finally put a n---- in the White House". I've heard people say that they're glad McCain didn't win so racism wouldn't triumph. Do any of those signify M.L. King Jr.'s dream of judging a man on the content of his character and not the color of his skin? And all these examples are from people in my own age group. You're absolutely right: young people these days shouldn't see color. But you're misguided if you think that prejudice and hate comes from solely one end. It's more than mutual... Edited November 8, 2008 by UVAObserver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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