Barack Obama has chosen Rahm Emanuel for his White House Chief of Staff. After running a campaign promising change and bi-partisanship, Obama has not shown either with this first choice. Emanuel is a veteran of the Clinton administration and is one of the most partisan people in politics.
Most people know Emanuel for his antics. After the 1996 Clinton election he was so angry at the President’s enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with campaign members, 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.
After the Democrats won the majority in Congress in 2006, Emanuel said the following, “The Republicans may have the 72-hour program. But they have not seen the 22-month program! … Since my kids are gone, I can say it: They can go F*** themselves!’”
As far as partisanship, last year as a Representative in Congress, he voted with the Democratic party 98% of the time and never has been below 95% in the last few years. About the only thing he broke away from the party on was his support of the Iraq War. He has a 100% pro-choice voting record and has liberal stances on all the social issues.
His political career began as a senior advisor and chief fundraiser for Richard M. Daley’s Mayoral campaign in 1989. As most know Mayor Daley is one of the most corrupt politicians in the country outside of maybe Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Emanuel was connected to some illegal practices that led to the election of many democrats in Chicago which involved the Chicago water department boss Don Tomczak. Four people went to jail on federal charges in this case.
He was then appointed to direct the campaign finance committee for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign and later became a senior advisor to Clinton during his tenure as President. He led the Clinton’s failed efforts to institute socialized healthcare in America.
He then left politics for a short time and worked at an investment bank where he earned $18 million in 3 years. During this timeframe he also served on the board of Freddie Mac, earning over $230,000 in 2001 alone. For all of you keen observers out there, this is the timeframe where Fannie and Freddie drastically and irresponsibly increased the amount of sub-prime loans. It was also a time when there were numerous accounting irregularities and a scandal concerning campaign contributions.
In addition to this, according to Open Secrets reports, Rahm Emanuel was the top House recipient of contributions from hedge funds, private equity firms, and other large investment firms in industry in 2008.
You can decide for yourself, but this does not look like change to me. In his very first appointment, Obama has brought in someone who is very partisan, has some serious character issues, and has been a direct enabler for our current financial crisis. I hate to say I told you so, but please welcome our first corrupt Chicago politician to the White House.
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