The Washington Independent - Latest Comments in Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Cheap Softball Bats — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:53:10 -0000

politics is politics. it is not a game for the weak at heart

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Tom — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:54:42 -0000

I agree, great work here.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

MikeCrabe — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:11:47 -0000

I think these guys look sharp

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

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Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

KH — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:48:46 -0000

Ben, you say "Have I forgotten anything?"

Let's not forget D-I-I-T-T-KAAAA! Hoz Mike gunna fit inta da new ad-mini-strAA-shio.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

JohnyMontana — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:50:23 -0000

IF you rea it carefully, you would notice the difference

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

sumyungfoo — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:24:21 -0000

Since 1900 Pennsylvania Avenue is the murder capital of the World, Chicago can't possibly hold that title.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

tom bose — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:43:00 -0000

I sure hope so, especially in middle east matters. The Jews do not need any more. May be we will be controlled from Jerusalem. All moslems pack your bags!

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

J Albert — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:06:07 -0000

Your exactly right by comparing this new administration to the Chicago Mob-run Kennedy machine of 1960-63. Wonder where we would have been then. We're repeating history folks, in so many bad ways. I guess we don't have to worry about Biden being completely insane like LBJ.... Rahm Emanuel?

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Sher — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:03:39 -0000

From article in today's (Nov. 13th)Time Magazine:
(Article includes description of Emanuel's father's participation in Irgun, an Israeli terrorist organization in the 1940s.)
"This is from the Jerusalem Post's account of an interview Benjamin gave after news of his son's appointment to the Obama administration was announced:
"In an interview with Ma'ariv, Emanuel's father, Dr. Benjamin Emanuel, said he was convinced that his son's appointment would be good for Israel. "Obviously he will influence the president to be pro-Israel," he was quoted as saying. "Why wouldn't he be? What is he, an Arab? He's not going to clean the floors of the White House."
In a letter sent Tuesday to Rahm Emanuel, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee asked the congressman to "disavow and repudiate these remarks publicly."

'"UPDATE: Statement from Rep. Rahm Emanuel's office (released Thursday afternoon): “Today, Rep. Emanuel called Mary Rose Oakar, President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, apologized on behalf of his family and offered to meet with representatives of the Arab-American community at an appropriate time in the future."'

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Bill Rush — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:46:00 -0000

Apparently Joravsky thinks he is a genius and could run the city of Chicago better than Mayor Daley and the Democratic Party. It's easy to be a critic. If he believes he has a better way to run this city, then it shouldn't be too difficult for him to get campaign funds and run for office. Or, he could move to a suburb.

The last Republican to be mayor of Chicago was William Hale Thompson. His second term ended in 1931 during the Depression. Republicans haven't been invited back since. This alone proves the voters aren't fools, particularly In light of the second bailout of financial institutions under a Republican president during the past 20 years.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

joshquasimoto — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:18:58 -0000

Great start for the incoming administration. It is much easier to get elected a second time should you choose to govern in such a way that neither the far-left or far-right are given much voice in our government. As I have always thought Obama is a smart capable man who for the most part believes in the middle/moderate America. Of course it would be ignorant to think that an Obama administration would only placate one side over the other but you can be assured that his policies will most likely look pragmatic today and a decade later will then become true progressive policies. He can look moderate and centrist now because our economy and our nation's image abroad has been so tranished by Bush and co. Surely he will be attacked on the right by radio talk show host such as Limbaugh or Savage, as they are already doing, but their voices become all the more ridiculous with every passing day where the average American (the centrist american) simply wants policies that are explained and defined that work towards providing a more stabel future for themsleves and future generations.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

SACVET — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:03:33 -0000

So the Chicago Democratic in crowd always played ball with Republicans and eschewed
"left wing" ideologues. I guess I woud have to describe them as Republican lite opportunists.
About all this nonsense regarding Obama having to reach across the isle - how often did the
Republicans, with the presidency for eight years and majority control of congress for six, do
that? I hope I'm not going to have to regret voting for Obama, the candidate for "change," because
he gets in bed with those who would stab him in the back at first opportunity.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

mobedda — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:50:54 -0000

And you'll notice the author carefully avoided mentioning ANYTHING about Emauel's years under Clinton. Didn't fit his thesis, I suspect.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

mobedda — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:49:45 -0000

Right? That was my feeling as well while reading this...

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Russell H Manning — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:48:29 -0000

Ben Joravsky must have teethed on the staff of The Weekly Reader before his current assignment. Sounds like he's just bitter the Axelrod, a brilliant strategist and tactician, blessedly replaces kallous Karl. Sounds someone who admires success only when its Republican. Rahm Emmanuel earned my support during his Clinton years and is a worthy choice for Chief of Staff. Maybe David Addington wasn't available yet!

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

mobedda — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:47:45 -0000

Oh, hogwash. Did you happen to notice that Rahm Emanuel is going to be working for Barack Obama, the man who just won the presidency by running what EVERYONE calls the most disciplined campaign in history? Whose side do you think he's going to be on, sir?

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

SpoxLogic — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:47:03 -0000

Wasn't this piece supposed to be about Emmanuel? For a moment there I thought Daley was Obama's Chief of Staff.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Bird — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:41:57 -0000

Ben-- A whole list of Daley's "sordid details" and not a word about TIF's and the Chicago Public Schools? You're slipping...

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Karen — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:06:20 -0000

Ehhhh - it's the old story. Good cop, bad cop. Rahmbo's the Rottweiler, Obiwon gets to look nice. Everybody will hate Rahm, & Obama can make the sweet deals, soothe feelings. YAWN. Given the shitstorm of trouble Obama is inheriting, some staunch Chicago political muscle is just what's called for.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Pat Ryan — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:55:09 -0000

I'm willing to take all of your assertions about the various players as gospel, and would add that "The Left" already hates and distrusts Emanuel for his Hatchetman stint with the Democratic Leadership Coucil in support of their Third Way agenda under the Clintons.

I'm regisistered Dem but I self-indentify politically as None of the Above, and I suspect that Obama will do as he wishes and thinks best for the country.

Emanuel seems, as the author implies, to be a pretty non-ideological operative. He was hired to be the Guardian Rottweiller, and will no doubt perform superbly in that role. I do not expect Obama to give undue weight to specific policy initiatives advanced by said Rottweiller.

So too, with Axelrod. He has been very good at his specific job and Obama would be remiss to ignore his talents and track record.

Obama will indeed redifine centrism. That's been his message for the past 20 months. Why would anyone besides the Rabid Right think any differently?

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

kiran1207 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:53:34 -0000

SO WHAT!!! Obama is a political juggernut hook him up with Axelrod,Gibbs, and Plouffe and we the world saw what can happen so what if Rahm Emmanuel is part of his new admin, I found that it is better not to doubt Obama's actions because since now they have been excellent!!

Rahm is going to get the job done and link him up with a brillant mind like Obama's and Axelrod and you've a hard-working administration.

Is this a conservative paper???

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Julia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:53:04 -0000

Being from Chicago doesn't give you any special decoder ring as to what's going to happen in the future. What's going on here is that you just can't wait to pile on. Your predictions are meaningless.

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

Charlotte Stevens — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:34:31 -0000

Finally! Our Government will have a Northern influence, which has been missing since Kennedy!

Re: Obama’s Boys from Chicago

andie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:34:10 -0000

I'm truly appalled at your guilt by association rhetoric. You may despise Daley and wonder what will be but please, let Emanuel do his thing before chopping off his head. I despise the assumptions and wonder where you are coming from. Oh yeah! Chicago. Can we just let Obama take office and wait a year before determining what is to happen or do you use a crystal ball?