Maxine Waters: Rahm To Blame For Obstructionist Blue Dogs

One of Congress's most liberal members, Rep. Maxine Waters, (D-Calif.), declared on Tuesday that the White House's problems getting Blue Dog Democrats to support its health care agenda were largely its own doing -- or more specifically, the doing of its chief of staff.

Waters said many of the self-proclaimed conservative Democrats, including those who have stalled legislation on the House Energy and Commerce, were initially recruited to run for office by Rahm Emanuel back when he was head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.





In terms of a possible remedy, Waters noted that the White House's bargaining chips were limited, in part because Emanuel had given these members the green light to buck the party on select issues.

"Don't forget," she said, " recruited most of them, as when he was over in the Congress in the leadership. Rahm Emanuel recruited more conservative members and based on some of the information I'm getting, they told them that they could vote the way they wanted to vote, that they would not interfere with what was considered their philosophy about some of these things."


video
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/28/maxine-waters-rahm-to-bla_n_246325.html

Wonder why this was unrec'd.

Not to mention Rahm backers.


I neutralized that unrec. :)

K&R

It's sickening the way they're cashing in on our last bit of hope.

As if Obama wasn't the one who made him the first hire of the White House.

...I like winning elections, but i also like getting stuff done.

I'm from her hometown and she is not "adored" like she once was ~
where is her fighting spirit?

Where was she on some of the major issues the last two years?

as he's indisputably "to blame" for House Democrats having a big majority and holding a good number of seats in red districts.

actually, i think that has a lot more to do with Dr Dean than the Rahminator. You know, that 50 state thing that Rahm oposed?

:shrug:

At the same time I don't think it very likely that "my kind of progressive" could win in, say, Baron Hill's or Heath Schuler's district. I am for the most progressive viable candidate in any given race. Sometimes, not always, you can find a good progressive with an unusual biography or narrative that allows them to win in an iffy district or state, for instance Joe Sestak with his distinguished navy service. If Rahmbo has told Blue Dogs they can buck the party whenever, I oppose that. They need to be on board re. basic issues like health care, minimum wage, etc. I hope Pelosi jacks Blue Dogs' arms up behind their backs until you hear something cracking.

The shrink the tent people must always be ignored in this area.

most of these blue dogs are the most liberal people who could have been elected in those districts. All the liberal districts in America already had liberal reps long before Rahm got there.

and could be that's what Americans deserve, as despite the overwhelming evidence, they continue sending representatives to Congress who back corrupt and failed policies, against their own best interests. After all, it can't be any different right? - so maybe you better just accept it.

Obama has made some inroads, but he can't make wholesale change alone. I thought Obama picked Emanuel for his experience and ability to get people in line. But it's a fact that his funding favored conservative Dems over progressive ones. He even said that the Democratic Party couldn't let the liberals gain too much power. So that's why when someone like Waters, who I respect, says this, I'll listen.

Rahm pushed aside anti-war Cynthia Cegalis in Illinois and Obama pushed aside anti-war Ned Lamont in Connecticut despite their strong showings. What is wrong with these dumb ass Democrats?

300,000 Dumb Ass Democrats voted for Bush in Florida in 2000. If all 300,000 Dumb Ass Democrats voted for Nader instead of Bush in Florida the victory for Gore in 2000 could never even have been questioned. Gore would have had a nearly 300,000 lead over Bush. Gore would have been president in 2000. Think what it costs to keep Bush and Reagan voters in the party. It is not worth it.

All you Dumb Ass Democrats make this party weak and divided. Trying to keep you in is keeping real Democrats out.

What does it matter if someone has a D by their name if they vote for Republicans and vote like Republicans?

Rahm has always been a backstabbing DLC toadie.