WaPo: Speaker's top policy guy is a 'liberal lion' who clashes often with Emanuel

Principled liberal vs. political wheeler dealer


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/20/AR2010062003442.html?wprss=rss_politics

The Juice
In the speaker's office, a quiet liberal lion: Wendell E. Primus



As the top policy adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Wendell E. Primus did battle with "Rahmbo" over health care. (Bill O'leary/the Washington Post)

By Mary Ann Akers
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 21, 2010

Wendell E. Primus is one of the few people on Capitol Hill who isn't afraid of Rahm Emanuel. And Primus isn't even a member of Congress.

...

As Pelosi's point man during the epic health-care effort, Primus routinely clashed with Emanuel, the White House chief of staff. When Primus orchestrated a meeting at the height of negotiations, to challenge the White House's position on Medicare payments to doctors, "Rahmbo" went quintessentially ballistic.

"Rahm was fit to be tied," said Primus, with a hint of pride at his own chutzpah. "He did not like to be called on the carpet."

...

The tension between the two dates to the Clinton administration, when Emanuel was a top White House policy adviser and Primus, a big cheese at the Department of Health and Human Services, resigned in protest over President Bill Clinton's signing of the 1996 welfare reform bill.

...

of him.

Of course being a non-Congressman probably helps him not be afraid of the "big bad Rahm." Senior policy advisers don't get voted out of office.

And good on Nancy for having him around!!

My congressman pointed out recently just how much the House improved the Senate bill in conference. The House really made a big, big difference on that.

That the left calls a corporate sell-out. Too funny.

Wonder why this is being printed now, after the articles about Rahm quitting, or maybe he's being pushed out.