Monday, November 9, 2009

Opinion

Robert Schlesinger

My Favorite Rahm Emanuel Story

November 06, 2008 03:15 PM ET | Robert Schlesinger | Permanent Link | Print

Barack Obama's first move was strong, tapping Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff. Emanuel is smart, knows where the levers of power are on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, and while GOPers might complain that he is a hardened partisan, it will be up to Obama to set his administration's tone and for Emanuel to follow.

There are many Rahm stories floating around D.C.—yes, he really did send a dead fish to a consultant once—and one of my favorites is recounted in my book White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. Emanuel was one of the key aides that speechwriters would go to when starting a speech for Bill Clinton—they knew that he was powerful enough to make their lives hell if they didn't find out what he thought should be in the talk.

On one occasion, a speechwriter was crafting a speech touting the president's "Millennium Program." Emanuel had one instruction for her: Don't use the word "millennium."

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Tags: cabinet members | Barack Obama | Rahm Emanuel | Obama administration | Obama transition

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Reader Comments

Ooooooh

"the whiny conservatives are afraid of a tough negotiator. Boo-hoo." After 8 YEARS of constant whining from the democrats can't repubs whine for a couple of days? A tough negotiator? He sends dead fish to people. Sounds more like a ornery middle schooler to me.

A Great Decision

This was a great decision on Obama's part because he'll need to rein in the excesses of the Democrats as well as the Republican. He know what he's up against within his own party. It's not all about you Republicans!!!!! Get over yourselves.

fish

It could have been a horse's head just as easy.Why did no one hear this story before the election and the hundred of others that will come out now from the Liberal Media?I know there are many people like me that was shut down and not allowed to send any opinion from the Conservative side.At CNN at first one or two went through.Then the waiting for moderation was sent then completely blocked even though post a comment burned brightly.If a rash of Conservatives came in the side was closed for comment. I listen to all sides and if it is a public invitation to participate I should be able to.When the comments were running 90 to 1 for the Obama side it would be open for many many comments.This was the most apparent purpose of the Liberal media to elect Obama.I think the shutting out of opinions that are not Liberal is the agenda of this president elect and I do mean president elect.It is not Jan 20 2009.

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Robert Schlesinger is a deputy editor at U.S. News and World Report and oversees all opinion editorial content. He is the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters.

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