Rahm Emanuel: Obama's Pick for Chief of Staff Has Tough-Guy Rep

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Obama's Pick for Chief of Staff Has Tough-Guy Rep
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 6, 2008

CHICAGO (AP) -- Rahm Emanuel combines political instincts, White House experience and a Chicago tough-guy attitude -- traits that he's likely to need as President-elect Obama's new chief of staff.

His combative style as political director in the early days of the Clinton administration earned him the nickname ''Rahmbo.'' He didn't always produce results, though. Emanuel lost that job but stayed on as a senior adviser and oversaw some of Clinton's top initiatives, including NAFTA and an assault-weapons ban.

After a lucrative stint in banking, Emanuel was elected to Congress in 2002 and quickly became a major power. He wound up overseeing the party's House election efforts in 2006 and won a majority for Democrats through tireless fundraising and candidate recruitment.

''He's a good tactician. He's a creative thinker. But I think what probably makes him most successful is that he has the will to follow his convictions,'' Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., said after the 2006 victory.

Emanuel grew up in the ritzy Chicago suburb of Wilmette, the son of an Israeli doctor who moved to the United States. His brother, Ari, is a Hollywood agent and the inspiration for Ari Gold, the Type-A superagent on HBO's show ''Entourage.''

His start in politics came after college, when he worked for Paul Simon's 1984 Senate campaign and Richard Daley's run for Chicago mayor in 1989. Then he went to work for a little-known Arkansas governor who wanted to be president....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Emanuel-Profile.html


(Charles Rex Argobast/AP)
Representative Rahm Emmanuel of Illinois with Barack Obama during the campaign.

[Libertyfirst]

1. I am ready to be tough about things that matter.

I believe we need to work together to achieve the things that need to be done. But it is time to play hardball about things that matter. I am tired of people who always want the Dems to "play nice" while the other side gives us the elbow and the knee. We don't have to be evil, nasty, or mean, but we do have to be tough. It is going to take tough people to achieve great things.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I think I've read that Emanuel also has a rep as a world-class curser --

I think he's one tough dude. I also read that he and Obama would be a good good cop/bad cop team.

[Sal Minella]

4. Yes. Obama has such an "approachable" demeanor that he'll need firewall-people so he can work.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

3. I am impressed with Obama's choice, Right man for the right time,

I have already posted on another thread why.
It is time to get things done, NOW.

[Enthusiast]

5. Funny name, Rahm. I'm suspicious.

:rofl: :sarcasm: :rofl:

[Skittles]

6. I think he is very handsome

will have to read up on him to not sound so superficial :D