Rahm Emanuel warns liberal groups to stop ads

Source: Politico

By Jonathan Martin
August 6, 2009


White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel warned liberal groups this week to stop running ads against Democratic member of Congress.

The powerful top aide to President Obama made his feelings known at the weekly closed-door strategy session of an array of progressive organizations, according to two sources who were there.

Emanuel’s request came on the same day that Obama himself told a meeting of Democratic senators that he didn’t like seeing dollars used by liberal groups to target congressional Democrats.

Some on the left believe administration officials are making such statements only as a favor to Democratic legislators whose votes they’ll ultimately need.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25900.html

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I have my reservations due to the fact that the sources here are anonymous.
I would expect a denial by Emanuel, though, if this turns out to be a falsehood.

We'll see.

Remember them? The right wing nutsos who got Bill Maher cancelled off of ABC?

Who has a grain of salt? A large one? That's the only way this hit piece can go down!

Roger Simon is a decent columnist; the rest is a Fox News wannabe.

Really awful.

Obama needed a non DLC Chief of Staff, not this corporate shill.

He's just staying friendly. He knows he can't stop the ads.

For all of Rahm's posturing, he sure does a lot of caving to the right wing.

At least let MSNBC know that their sources are not trusted by their viewers. Why don't Ed Shultz's producers stop using them and use the more legitimate McClatchy?

As for the ads... I'm sorry if the White House doesn't like it. They may sign a bill without a public option. That's not good enough for me.

Especially their Washington bureau, which ran unedited press releases from the Bush White House for eight years.

McClatchy was the only news outfit besides anti-bush blogs that got things right in the run up to the Iraq War. They seem to be the last of a dying breed that practice journalism based on "facts" and journalistic standards of quality.

I should figure out how to get more of my info from them.

-90% Jimmy

In the Sacramento area and here in the Triangle of NC. Their reporting in this area seemed as slipshod as anyone's in this area to me. Maybe I didn't read the right articles, as I typically only buy the paper on Sunday, but I do read the news section cover to cover when I do. I did notice that, during the Bush administration, they would often run what read like press releases with very little editing, especially from the Washington Bureau.

The lead story today in the News and Observer?

http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1637682.html

Nothing on how the insurance industry has been engineering this "outrage," or the multibillionaires funding these activities. Useless.

perfect description of crappy site - MSNBC gives way too much exposure - That Mike guy is kinda stupid IMO.

good one!

They are beholden to many of the same interests

The W.H. uses Politico to get out their message. If you don't believe me read the Vanity Fair article.

And don't ask for a link - I actually get the magazine, hold it in my hand and read it.

Obama has gone on Fox News to get out his message--that doesn't mean it's "the message arm" though, either.

I didn't say any such thing.

Rahm and Obama are both pushing back on progressive organizations. What's your point.

He's issuing "warnings" like Dick Cheney. The language is rather dire.

It's not "Rahm Emmanuel has asked liberal groups to ratchet back their criticism and ...."

It's "Rahm WARNS...."

Warnings are usually accompanied by a litany of consequences for non-compliance. Requests are a different thing altogether.

There's a bit of 'framing' going on with this anonymously-sourced article.

I hate him the more he speaks every day...

So far what has he done except Boot Lick?

The Cheney agenda of War and more War

ANY of this without the President's approval, you're dreaming.

That all is well, as the middle incomed person's best friend is in the WH and things will be GREAT.

Oh except for the economy.

And except for the fact that the insurers will continue to get their huge extortion fees via a health reform bill should one pass.

And Monsanto dicking with the small farmers with a free pass from the Ag Dept. And the coal (the clean energy) companies needing a free pass as far as mountain top removal.

Et cetera.

:thumbsup:

Why are ratings edging down for Obama?

NO support for the Durbin foreclosure relief bill, NONE.

NO support for a cap on credit card interest rates, NONE

TRILLIONS to failed Wall Street financial institutions but NOT A PENNY for citizens.

And the perception, by many, that there's a big cave in on health care.

That's more than three strikes.

But there's more, including what you mentioned plus

- a brand new war effort in Afghanistan
- delay in leaving Iraq

Change all those approaches and I'm semi optimistic (except for NO leadership on the global eco catastrophe).

Other than that, it's all good;)

The biggest mistake Obama has yet made was tapping that asshole to be his gatekeeper.

:grr:

And if Obama is telling liberals to back off as per the political shows this week then fuck him too. He obviously doesn't want real healthcare reform if he's telling us and not the assholes in charge of the astroturfers to back off.

Rp

Dude, I am not happy with some of the stuff Obama has not done (like not prosecuting war criminals) and this bipartisan shit but really, he has done some great things to (heard about any problems with Somali pirates lately?). Have you forgotten the last 8 years so quickly?

Before you accuse people of being freepers, think it through. Freepers oppose Obama because he's a Democrat. These are people who march in lock-step and function with a cult-like mentality. They follow, even if it leads to their own demise. And they despise all things "liberal".

The people posting in this thread are liberal. They are people who despise everything Freepers stand for, nor will they be duped into blindly worshiping a politician, even if he is a Democrat, who (so far) appears to have no strong convictions beyond trying not to ruffle any feathers and cooperating with Republicans. If they have turned on Obama, it's because of Obama's breath-taking record of betrayal when it comes to things that really matter.

Get it? Big difference.

Somali pirates? Pfft... you really had to dig to come up with something.

:thumbsdown:

somone you perceive as an opponent is very right wing behavior. I think we should be better than that or I've been coming to the wrong board for all these years.

forgive them, father, for they know not what bigottedness cometh out of their mouths... verily, verily.

:grr:

Emanuel should get over it. This isn't an election year. This is a policy year. It's all about getting the right policies forward.

Then we have a primary. Then it's the generals, and THEN it's about the party.

And then we go right back to cussing the Congress critters and getting the right policies forward.

The headline and the first paragraph call it a warning, while the third paragraph calls it a request. Those are two very different things, so which is it?

story came from the WH at all. If it did, then the forest is "Rahm wants the left to shut up and sit down." The trees--or saplings--are whether Politico used the word "warn" or "request."

"Shut up" is the problem, whether it was followed by "pretty please" or by "or else."

Obama is doing absolutely everything that is possible in this environment.

He has the GOP rioting in the streets for God's sake.

No more "pressure from the left," it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back, and you're complicit with the Repugs in destroying the Obama presidency, which is the biggest hope we've had in decades.

NT!

:thumbsup:

You know the old saying use it or lose it?

Well, guess what.....

when he wants our votes again.

Moving to the right and constantly trying to placate the Republicans is what will destroy his presidency and he'll have only himself to blame.

It's Obama who is "complicit with the Repugs" (to use your words), not progressives. You left off the sarcasm tag, right?

Rahm'sjob is to sell his bosses' agenda and round up votes in Congress for it, not to cave to Republican bullies while telling Democrats to sit down and shut up.

Under the First Amendment, the best antidote to speech you don't like is speech that you do like, not a gag order.

That said, we still don't know if the Politico article has any truth to it.

policies dressed up in liberal rhetoric, "the biggest hope" = none.


The winger offense is the excuse to enact corporate policy.

The public supports single payer, an end to the wars, jobs, no bankster giveaways, etc.


Obama would be popular with the public if he moved in that direction.

He can't - but not because of the general public.

BECAUSE THE MONEYMEN want something different.

Why aren't they partitioned off and ignored like we were under Bush?

take a chill pill, Rahm

....what's the matter rahmbone, is your job getting difficult?....are your corporate buddies starting to complain?

"...he didn’t like seeing dollars used by liberal groups to target congressional Democrats."

....oh, you haven't seen anything yet....those who stand in the way of meaningful healthcare reform (with a 'public-option') are going down and we'll replace them all with progressives....

....rahmbone, this is just beginning, not the end....

Before they wreck the whole show. I don't care if you do it in private. Hell, I'll even set up a smoke-filled room for you. But impose some party discipline on these gutless traitors or your boss' presidency is doomed.

can kiss my hairy. socialist ass!

NT!

These are republicans hiding behind the democratic name and getting elect as Dems, then infiltrating & subverting the democratic party and it's ideology.

Just so they know what happens if they don't deliver and so that the Blue Dogs know that we are serious if they don't deliver. If the Blue Dogs see that we do what Rahm asks, then they may start to follow Rahm's requests. The threat of our action if it is believed will be far more effective than carrying it out.

They all voted for the war, and warrantless searches, and were enthusiastic supporters of Bush/Cheney crimes.

single payer was off the table. And if healthcare reform is watered down and useless it will be their fault-mostly.

wishes for death upon political opponents I'm seeing here. It sounds like the other side of the freeper coin. You sound like a lunatic.

FUCK YOU YOU FUCKING BASTARD EMANUAL!!!

It's the CONSERVATIVE VICHY repukedems that are RUINING the chances for REFORM, NOT US PROGRESSIVES!!!

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE LIBERALS!!!

We can't let the conservativedlcassholes win this one!!!

If we don't get ANY say, then obama and their ilk can FUCK OFF the next time the come begging for MY support!!!

How's THAT for our "response"?!!!

So when he's out of office he can go back to Wall Street for another zillion-dollar reward for good behavior.

.. where the sun don't shine.

Oops. It's already there and full of shit.

Can do.

Rahm "Special interest whore" Emanuel can kiss my grits.

I want MORE pressure on the DINOs.

I agree, that this is policy time, not election time. Now is the time for Progressives to be heard.

Are you going to pass a public option through the Senate using the reconciliation process if it isn't going to make it to 60 votes? If the answer is no, I'm running ads against the traitor Dems.

the so called "liberal groups" wouldn't have to be targeting you would they?

Q3JR4.

Right on the hole.

The problem we had over the last 8 years was that in general the Republicans walked lock-step behind GWB. While this may be a more effective framework for getting legislation passed, it is not representative democracy at work.

Democracy is a messy business. We need to keep up the pressure on Democrats that fail to appreciate this is the only chance we will see in a lifetime to pass meaningful health care reform. The next time it will be even worse because things will be at a dire level.

How dare Emanuel suggest that the progressive movement stop pressuring Congress for what it wants. That is part of the political process. If he or the targeted Democrats don't like the heat then get out of the kitchen.

Emanuel, you are an unelected shill so best to keep your views to yourself. If not we need to start a campaign to shame the President into kicking Emanuel back to whatever lagoon he crept out of.

ultimately passes benefits no one but the already bloated insurance companies.

EVERYone knows something is going to pass. The only question is, who will REALLY benefit from the bill. So far, it looks worse every day.

HR 676 was introduced all the way back on February 8, 2005. It was referred to various subcommittees, where it has languished ever since. No action at all has been taken since April 2005.

Obama should have moved on this on Day One, when his political capital was the greatest, and rammed (or Rahmed) it through.

As for the "vocalizing" of liberals, pfffft. We are already begging for "public option," when we should be insisting upon single single payer, ala HR 676. And we're still being told to shut up (if Politico is correct).

Stand tall. loud and proud for HR 676. If the Republicrats want to back off from that, yell louder. We have been given no reason whatever to back off from our original goal by a scintill, let alone sit down and shut up.

What with 18,000 people dying every year because of the health insurers, Obama could simply sign an Executive order stating that as of January 1st 2010, all Americans who provide their names addresses and Social Security numbers to the revised Medicare Agency will be insured.

As far as expediting the payment, place it on the same line of the budget where the Health Insurance for COngress critters goes.

We had a 33% increase per household in what is spent by the Federal government after 9/11 for two wars, and one Homeland Security Department. With no discussion of whom shall pay for these items or what the programs cost. In return, we all get to stand in endless lines at the airport and let people harass us into taking off our shoes before we board a flight.

But that would take a real commitment to the American people. Rather than a fawning complicity with the Biggest corporations around - insurers and Big Pharma.

and I will not shut up and go to the back of the bus.

Keeping your enemies close sounds okay but waking up in the morning with them sitting at the breakfast table would pose problems for me :crazy:

to show him how we really feel.

:hide:

dg