Jump to content

Rahm Emanuel: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
you need to figure it out then.
Line 65: Line 65:
|work= [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]
|work= [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]
|publisher=United States Congress}}</ref>
|publisher=United States Congress}}</ref>
His father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, is a [[Jerusalem]]-born [[pediatrician]] who was once a member of the [[Irgun]], a Jewish paramilitary organization that operated in [[British Mandate for Palestine|British-controlled Palestine]]. His mother, Marsha Smulevitz, is the daughter of a Chicago [[labor union|union]] organizer.<ref name="Hendrix_WashPost" /> She worked in the civil rights movement and owned, briefly, a local [[rock and roll]] club.<ref name="NYT_Bumiller_19970615" /> She is now a [[psychiatric]] [[social work]]er.<ref name=NYT_Bumiller_19970615>{{cite news| title=The Brothers Emanuel | last=Bumiller| first=Elisabeth | authorlink=Elisabeth Bumiller | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E4D61631F936A25755C0A961958260&scp=3&sq=%22brothers%20emanuel%22&st=cse | accessdate=2008-12-17| date=1997-06-15 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> The two met in Chicago in the 1950s.<ref name="Hendrix_WashPost" /> Emanuel's older brother [[Ezekiel J. Emanuel]] is an [[oncologist]] and [[bioethicist]] at the [[National Institutes of Health]], and his brother [[Ari Emanuel]], a [[Hollywood]] talent agent.<ref name="RS">{{Cite journal|title=The Enforcer| journal=Rolling Stone| author=Green, Joshua | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/8091986/the_enforcer/ |date=2005-10-20|accessdate=208-12-17}}</ref> He has an adopted sister, Shoshanna, who is 14 years younger.<ref name="NYT_Bumiller_19970615"/> Emanuel's grandfather was a labor leader in [[Moldova]].<ref>http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/03/11/biden-in-moldova-tracing-rahm-natalie-portman-roots/</ref>
His father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, is a [[Jerusalem]]-born [[pediatrician]] who was once a member of the [[Irgun]], a Jewish paramilitary terrorist organization that operated in [[British Mandate for Palestine|British-controlled Palestine]]. His mother, Marsha Smulevitz, is the daughter of a Chicago [[labor union|union]] organizer.<ref name="Hendrix_WashPost" /> She worked in the civil rights movement and owned, briefly, a local [[rock and roll]] club.<ref name="NYT_Bumiller_19970615" /> She is now a [[psychiatric]] [[social work]]er.<ref name=NYT_Bumiller_19970615>{{cite news| title=The Brothers Emanuel | last=Bumiller| first=Elisabeth | authorlink=Elisabeth Bumiller | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E4D61631F936A25755C0A961958260&scp=3&sq=%22brothers%20emanuel%22&st=cse | accessdate=2008-12-17| date=1997-06-15 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> The two met in Chicago in the 1950s.<ref name="Hendrix_WashPost" /> Emanuel's older brother [[Ezekiel J. Emanuel]] is an [[oncologist]] and [[bioethicist]] at the [[National Institutes of Health]], and his brother [[Ari Emanuel]], a [[Hollywood]] talent agent.<ref name="RS">{{Cite journal|title=The Enforcer| journal=Rolling Stone| author=Green, Joshua | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/8091986/the_enforcer/ |date=2005-10-20|accessdate=208-12-17}}</ref> He has an adopted sister, Shoshanna, who is 14 years younger.<ref name="NYT_Bumiller_19970615"/> Emanuel's grandfather was a labor leader in [[Moldova]].<ref>http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/03/11/biden-in-moldova-tracing-rahm-natalie-portman-roots/</ref>


Emanuel's first name, ''Rahm'' ({{lang|he|רם}}) means ''high'' or ''lofty'' in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]].<ref name="Kuttler"/><ref name=Haa_20081106>{{cite news|accessdate=November 6, 2008|author=Pfeffer, Anshel and Shlomo Shamir |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1034855.html|title=Obama's first pick: Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff |work=Haaretz| date = November 6, 2006}}</ref> The surname ''Emanuel'' ({{lang|he|עמנואל}}), adopted by the family in honor of his father's brother Emanuel Auerbach, who was killed in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] in Jerusalem, means ''God is with us''. Sources disagree as to whether the family name was changed in 1933 or 1938.<ref name=NYT_Bumiller_19970615/><ref name="Kuttler"/><ref name="Haa_20081106"/>
Emanuel's first name, ''Rahm'' ({{lang|he|רם}}) means ''high'' or ''lofty'' in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]].<ref name="Kuttler"/><ref name=Haa_20081106>{{cite news|accessdate=November 6, 2008|author=Pfeffer, Anshel and Shlomo Shamir |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1034855.html|title=Obama's first pick: Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff |work=Haaretz| date = November 6, 2006}}</ref> The surname ''Emanuel'' ({{lang|he|עמנואל}}), adopted by the family in honor of his father's brother Emanuel Auerbach, who was killed in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] in Jerusalem, means ''God is with us''. Sources disagree as to whether the family name was changed in 1933 or 1938.<ref name=NYT_Bumiller_19970615/><ref name="Kuttler"/><ref name="Haa_20081106"/>

Revision as of 16:38, 21 March 2011

Rahm Emanuel
Mayor-elect of Chicago
Assuming office
May 16, 2011
SucceedingRichard Daley
23rd White House Chief of Staff
In office
January 20, 2009 – October 2, 2010
PresidentBarack Obama
DeputyMona Sutphen
Jim Messina
Preceded byJoshua Bolten
Succeeded byPete Rouse (Acting)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – January 2, 2009
Preceded byRod Blagojevich
Succeeded byMike Quigley
Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Preceded byJim Clyburn
Succeeded byJohn Larson
Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byBob Matsui
Succeeded byChris Van Hollen
Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy
In office
January 20, 1993 – 1998
PresidentBill Clinton
Personal details
Born (1959-11-29) November 29, 1959 (age 65)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseAmy Rule
Children1 son
2 daughters
Alma materSarah Lawrence College
Northwestern University
Signature

Rahm Israel Emanuel[1] (pronounced /ˈrɑːm/; born November 29, 1959) is an American politician and the mayor-elect of Chicago.[2][3] He was formerly White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama. He served as senior advisor to President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1998 and as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 5th congressional district, from 2003 until his resignation in 2009 to take up his position in the Obama Administration.

Emanuel was chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2006 mid-term elections and remained a top strategist for House Democrats during the 2008 cycle. After Democrats regained control of the House in 2006, Emanuel was elected chairman of the Democratic Caucus. This made him the fourth-ranking House Democrat, behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.[4]

Two days after Obama's election victory, Emanuel was announced as Obama's designee for White House Chief of Staff.[5] He resigned from the House on January 2, 2009,[6] and began his duties as Chief of Staff on January 20, 2009, the day of Obama's inauguration.[5]

Emanuel resigned as Chief of Staff effective October 1, 2010, in order to pursue a campaign to run for Mayor of Chicago following the retirement of Richard M. Daley. On January 27, 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling[7] that had cast doubt on Emanuel's candidacy; the court unanimously held that Emanuel did not abandon his Chicago residency by serving in the White House, thus affirming his eligibility to run for mayor.[8] He won the Mayoral election on February 22, 2011, with 55% of the vote.[9] President Obama appointed William M. Daley as Chief of Staff to replace Emanuel.

Early and personal life

Emanuel was born in Chicago, Illinois to Jewish parents.[6] His father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, is a Jerusalem-born pediatrician who was once a member of the Irgun, a Jewish paramilitary terrorist organization that operated in British-controlled Palestine. His mother, Marsha Smulevitz, is the daughter of a Chicago union organizer.[1] She worked in the civil rights movement and owned, briefly, a local rock and roll club.[10] She is now a psychiatric social worker.[10] The two met in Chicago in the 1950s.[1] Emanuel's older brother Ezekiel J. Emanuel is an oncologist and bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health, and his brother Ari Emanuel, a Hollywood talent agent.[11] He has an adopted sister, Shoshanna, who is 14 years younger.[10] Emanuel's grandfather was a labor leader in Moldova.[12]

Emanuel's first name, Rahm (רם) means high or lofty in Hebrew.[13][14] The surname Emanuel (עמנואל), adopted by the family in honor of his father's brother Emanuel Auerbach, who was killed in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War in Jerusalem, means God is with us. Sources disagree as to whether the family name was changed in 1933 or 1938.[10][13][14]

When the family lived in Chicago, Emanuel attended the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School. After his family moved to Wilmette, he attended public schools: Romona School, Locust Junior High School, and New Trier West High School.[1][15] He and his brothers attended summer camp in Israel, including just after the 1967 Six Day War.[10][16]

While working at an Arby's restaurant in his high school years, Emanuel severely cut his right middle finger on a meat slicer. He sought medical attention after suffering a severe infection from swimming in Lake Michigan and as a result, had his finger partially amputated.[17]

Emanuel was encouraged by his mother to take ballet lessons as a boy and is a graduate of the Evanston School of Ballet as well as a student of The Joel Hall Dance Center, where his children also took dance lessons. He won a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet but turned it down to attend Sarah Lawrence College, a liberal arts school with a strong dance program.

He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1981 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts, and went on to receive an M.A. in Speech and Communication from Northwestern University in 1985. While still an undergraduate, he joined the congressional campaign of David Robinson of Chicago.[18]

During the 1991 Gulf War, Emanuel volunteered with the Israel Defense Forces as a civilian helping to maintain equipment.[19]

Emanuel's wife, Amy Rule, converted to Judaism shortly before their wedding.[20] They are members of the Chicago synagogue Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel.[21] They have a son and two daughters.

Emanuel is a close friend of fellow Chicagoan David Axelrod, chief strategist for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign. Axelrod signed the ketuba, the Jewish marriage contract, at Emanuel's wedding.[22]

Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation is quoted as saying Emanuel's family is "a very involved Jewish family", adding that "Amy was one of the teachers for a class for children during the High Holidays two years ago."[21] Emanuel has said of his Judaism: "I am proud of my heritage and treasure the values it has taught me."[21] Emanuel's family lives on the North Side of Chicago, in the North Center neighborhood.[13]

Emanuel trains for and participates in triathlons.[15]

Career as political staffer

Emanuel began his political career with the public interest and consumer rights organization Illinois Public Action.[23] He went on to serve in a number of capacities in local and national politics, initially specializing in fundraising for Illinois campaigns and then nationally.[24]

Emanuel worked for Democrat Paul Simon's 1984 election to the U.S. Senate, was the national campaign director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1988, and was senior advisor and chief fundraiser for Richard M. Daley's victorious campaign for Mayor of Chicago in 1989.[23]

At the start of then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton's presidential primary campaign, Emanuel was appointed to direct the campaign's finance committee.[24] Emanuel insisted that Clinton schedule a lot of time for fundraising and greatly delay campaigning in New Hampshire. Clinton agreed and embarked on an aggressive fundraising campaign across the nation. The fundraising paid off later, providing the campaign a vital buffer to keep buying television time as attacks on Clinton's character threatened to swamp the campaign during the New Hampshire primary.[21]

Clinton's primary rival, Paul Tsongas (the New Hampshire Democratic primary winner in 1992), later withdrew, citing a lack of campaign funds. Richard Mintz, a Washington public relations consultant who worked with Emanuel on the campaign, spoke about the soundness of the idea: "It was that [extra] million dollars that really allowed the campaign to withstand the storm we had to ride out in New Hampshire [over Clinton's relationship with Gennifer Flowers and the controversy over his draft status during the Vietnam War]."[21] Emanuel's knowledge of the top donors in the country, and his rapport with "the heavily Jewish donor community" helped Clinton amass a then-unheard-of sum of $72 million.[21]

Following the campaign, Emanuel became a senior advisor to Clinton at the White House from 1993 to 1998. In the White House, Emanuel was initially Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He was a leading strategist in the unsuccessful White House efforts to institute universal healthcare and many other Clinton initiatives.[25]

Emanuel is known for his "take-no-prisoners style" that has earned him the nickname "Rahmbo."[26] Emanuel is said to have sent a dead fish in a box to a pollster who was late delivering polling results.[22] On the night after the 1996 election, "Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name."[10][11] Before Tony Blair gave a pro-Clinton speech during the impeachment crisis, Emanuel reportedly screamed to Blair's face "Don't fuck this up!" while Clinton was present; Blair and Clinton both burst into laughter.[27] However, by 2007 friends of Emanuel were saying that he has "mellowed out".[21] Stories of his personal style have entered the popular culture, inspiring articles and websites that chronicle these and other quotes and incidents.[28][29][30][31] Though executive producer Lawrence O'Donnell has denied it,[32] the character Josh Lyman in The West Wing is said to be based on Rahm Emanuel.[11][33]

One of his proudest moments during the Clinton administration "was an event that touched his political sensibilities and his personal ties to Israel: the 1993 Rose Garden signing ceremony after the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Emanuel directed the details of the ceremony, down to the choreography of the famous handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat."[21]

Career in finance

After serving as an advisor to Bill Clinton, in 1998 Emanuel resigned from his position in the Clinton administration and joined the investment banking firm of Wasserstein Perella, where he worked until 2002.[34] Although he did not have an MBA degree or prior banking experience, he became a managing director at the firm’s Chicago office in 1999 and, according to Congressional disclosures, made $16.2 million in his two-and-a-half-years as a banker.[34][35] At Wasserstein Perella, he worked on eight deals, including the acquisition by Commonwealth Edison of Peco Energy and the purchase by GTCR Golder Rauner of the SecurityLink home security unit from SBC Communications.[34]

Emanuel was named to the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) by President Clinton in 2000. His position earned him at least $320,000, including later stock sales.[36][37] He was not assigned to any of the board's working committees, and the Board met no more than six times per year.[37]

During his time on the board, Freddie Mac was plagued with scandals involving campaign contributions and accounting irregularities.[37][38] The Obama Administration rejected a request under the Freedom of Information Act to review Freddie Mac board minutes and correspondence during Emanuel's time as a director.[37]

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) later accused the board of having "failed in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention." Emanuel resigned from the board in 2001 when he ran for Congress.[39]

Congressional career

Rep. John Dingell and Rep. Emanuel celebrate Paczki Day, February 28, 2006.

Election in 2002

Congressman Emanuel speaking at St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago.

After working in investment banking, in 2002 Emanuel pursued the U.S. House seat in the 5th District of Illinois previously held by Rod Blagojevich, who chose not to run for re-election, but instead successfully ran for Governor of Illinois.

His strongest opponent of the seven other candidates in the 2002 Democratic primary was former Illinois State Representative Nancy Kaszak, who had unsuccessfully opposed Blagojevich in the 1996 primary. The most controversial moment of the primary election came when Edward Moskal, president of the Polish American Congress, a political action committee endorsing Kaszak, called Emanuel a "millionaire carpetbagger who knows nothing" about "our heritage". Moskal also charged that Emanuel had dual citizenship with Israel and had served in the Israeli Army.[40] Emanuel did not serve in the Israeli army, but was a civilian volunteer assisting the Israel Defense Forces for a short time during the 1991 Gulf War, repairing truck brakes in one of Israel's northern bases with Sar-El.[41][42] Emanuel brought together a coalition of Chicago clergy to denounce the incident. He recalled, "One of the proudest moments of my life was seeing people of my district from all backgrounds demonstrate our common values by coming together in response to this obvious attempt to divide them."[21] Moskal's comments were denounced as anti-Semitic by Kaszak.[40]

Emanuel won the primary and defeated Republican candidate Mark Augusti in the general election.

Emanuel was elected after the October 2002 joint Congressional resolution authorizing the Iraq War, and thus was not able to vote on it. However, in the lead up to the resolution Emanuel spoke out strongly in support of the war, urging a United States' "muscular projection of force" in Iraq. Emanuel has been the focus of anti-war protests for his support of funding bills for the war in Iraq, and his support, during Democratic party primaries, of Democratic party candidates that are more hawkish. In his first term, Rahm Emanuel was a founding member and the Co-Chair of the Congressional Serbian Caucus.[43]

In January 2003, Emanuel was named to the House Financial Services Committee, and sat on the subcommittee that oversaw Freddie Mac. A few months later, Freddie Mac Chief Executive Officer Leland Brendsel was forced out, and the committee and subcommittee commenced hearings lasting for more than a year. Emanuel skipped every hearing allegedly for reasons of avoiding any appearance of favoritism, impropriety, or conflict of interest.[44]

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman

Emanuel assumed the position of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman (DCCC) after the death of the previous chair, Bob Matsui. Emanuel led the Democratic Party's effort to capture the majority in the House of Representatives in the 2006 elections. After Emanuel's election as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Chris Van Hollen became committee chair for the 110th Congress.

While he was chairman of the DCCC, Emanuel was known to have had disagreements over Democratic election strategy with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. Dean favored a "fifty-state strategy", building support for the Democratic Party over the long term, while Emanuel believed a more tactical approach, focusing attention on key districts, was necessary to ensure victory.[45]

Ultimately the Democratic Party enjoyed considerable success in the 2006 elections, gaining 30 seats in the House. Emanuel has received considerable praise for his stewardship of the DCCC during this election cycle, even from Illinois Republican Rep. Ray LaHood who said "He legitimately can be called the golden boy of the Democratic Party today. He recruited the right candidates, found the money and funded them, and provided issues for them. Rahm did what no one else could do in seven cycles."[46] However, he also faced some criticism for his failure to support some progressive candidates, as Howard Dean advocated.[47]

2008 Election

Emanuel speaks during the second day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Emanuel declared in April 2006 that he would support Hillary Rodham Clinton should she pursue the presidency in 2008. Emanuel remained close to Clinton since leaving the White House, talking strategy with him at least once a month as chairman of the DCCC.[15] However, Emanuel's loyalties came into conflict when his home-state senator Barack Obama expressed interest in the race; asked in January 2007 about his stance on the Democratic presidential nomination, he said: "I'm hiding under the desk. I'm very far under the desk, and I'm bringing my paper and my phone."[48] Emanuel remained neutral in the race until June 4, 2008, the day after the final primary contests, when he endorsed the eventual winner Obama.[49]

Emanuel won re-election to the House, defeating Republican candidate Tom Hanson. Open Secrets reported that Emanuel "was the top House recipient in the 2008 election cycle of contributions from hedge funds, private equity firms and the larger securities/investment industry".[50] Securities and investments business interests were the main sector contributing to Emanuel's campaigns in both 2006 and 2008.[51]

House leadership

After his role in helping the Democrats win the 2006 elections, Emanuel was believed to be a leading candidate for the position of Majority Whip. Nancy Pelosi, who became the next Speaker of the House, persuaded him not to challenge Jim Clyburn, but instead to succeed Clyburn in the role of Democratic Caucus Chairman. In return, Pelosi agreed to assign the caucus chair more responsibilities, including "aspects of strategy and messaging, incumbent retention, policy development and rapid-response communications." Caucus vice-chair John Larson remained in this role instead of running for the chairman position.[52]

After U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney asserted that he did not fall within the bounds of orders set for the executive branch, Emanuel called for cutting off the $4.8 million the Executive Branch provides for the Vice President's office.[53]

Political views

Emanuel joins Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to advocate changes to Medicare legislation, September 24, 2003.

During his original 2002 campaign, Emanuel "indicated his support of President Bush's position on Iraq, but said he believed the president needed to better articulate his position to the American people".[21] One of the major goals he spoke of during the race was "to help make health care affordable and available for all Americans".[21] Emanuel's personal involvement in health care reform was made public when it was reported that he had used overtly assertive and potentially threatening tactics towards Democrats who did not toe the party line while in the shower at the House gym.[54]

In the 2006 congressional primaries, Emanuel, then head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, made national headlines for engineering a run by Tammy Duckworth—an Iraq war veteran with no political experience—against grassroots candidate Christine Cegelis in Illinois' 6th District. Expedited withdrawal from Iraq was a central point of Cegelis' campaign; Duckworth opposed a withdrawal timetable.[55]

In his 2006 book, co-authored with Bruce Reed, The Plan: Big Ideas for America,[56] Emanuel advocated a three-month compulsory universal service program for Americans between the ages of 18 and 25. An expanded version of this idea was later proposed by U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama (who was later to choose Emanuel as his White House Chief of Staff), during his 2008 campaign, in a speech on July 2, 2008 at the University of Colorado, in which Obama proposed a "civilian national security force" (this term being used in the spoken version of his speech, not in the original written version), which included expanded voluntary national service programs in many areas, such as infrastructure rebuilding, service to the elderly, and environmental cleanup. For some of these services, tax credits and direct pay, primarily for college tuition, was proposed. Obama's original proposal was for participation by all ages, but with required participation by all middle school and high school students for 50 hours of community service a year. That proposed requirement was later modified to being "a goal".[57] Obama's entire service program proposal quickly became controversial, largely for being mistaken as a call for a national paramilitary force, though the proposal's only reference to military service was volunteer participation in regular U.S. Armed Forces, as one activity that would qualify for inclusion under the program's umbrella.

Emanuel is generally liberal on social issues. He maintained a 100 percent pro-choice voting record and is a strong supporter of gun control, rated "F" by the NRA in December 2003.[58] He has also strongly supported the banning of numerous rifles based upon "sporting" purposes criteria.[59] He has aligned himself with the right wing of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Leadership Council.[60][61]

In June 2007, Emanuel condemned an outbreak of Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip and criticized Arab countries for not applying the same kind of pressure on the Palestinians as they have on Israel. At a 2003 pro-Israel rally in Chicago, Emanuel told the marchers Israel was ready for peace but would not get there until Palestinians "turn away from the path of terror".[62]

Emanuel has been called an ally of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; other sources dispute that he has been an ally of Blagojevich, for whom Emanuel served as a campaign adviser.[63][64] He called Illinois state legislator John C. D'Amico in 2008 in support of Blagojevich's Illinois capital bill, but withdrew his encouragement when he discovered Daley opposed the bill.[63] After Obama's election victory, Emanuel articulated his view on the role of government as a positive force to face difficult challenges and solve national problems, notably combating global warming through green energy policies and completely restructuring the healthcare system.[65]

White House Chief of Staff

See also: Illinois's 5th congressional district special election, 2009
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel looks at a newspaper in the Oval Office, as President Barack Obama talks on the phone April 4, 2009.
Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office

On November 6, 2008, Emanuel accepted the Cabinet-level[66] position of White House Chief of Staff for Barack Obama.[5] He resigned his congressional seat effective January 2, 2009.[67] A special primary to fill his vacated congressional seat was held on March 3, 2009, and the special general election on April 7.[68][69] Chicago newspapers reported that one candidate for that seat said at a forum that Emanuel had told him he may be interested in running for the seat again in the future.[70]

Some Republican leaders criticized Emanuel's appointment because they believed it went against Obama's promises to make politics less divisive, given Emanuel's reputation as a partisan Democrat.[5] Republican Lindsey Graham disagreed, saying: "This is a wise choice by President-elect Obama. He's tough but fair—honest, direct and candid."[71]

Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said that the choice indicates that Obama will not listen to the "wrong people" regarding the U.S.–Israel relationship.[62] Some commentators opined that Emanuel would be good for the Israeli–Palestinian peace process because if Israeli leaders make excuses for not dismantling settlements, Emanuel will be tough and pressure the Israelis to comply.[72][73] Some Palestinians expressed dismay at Obama’s appointment of Emanuel.[74][75] Emanuel said that Obama did not need his influence to "orientate his policy toward Israel".[76]

In a 2010 article in The New York Times, Emanuel was characterized as being "perhaps the most influential chief of staff of a generation".[77]

At a closed-door meeting in the White House with liberal activists, he called them "fucking retarded" for planning to run TV ads attacking conservative Democrats who didn't support Obama's health-care overhaul. In February 2010, Emanuel apologized to organizations for the mentally handicapped for using the word "retarded." He expressed his regret to Tim Shriver, the chief executive of the Special Olympics after the remark was reported in an article by The Wall Street Journal about growing liberal angst at the chief of staff. The apology came as former Alaska governor and conservative activist Sarah Palin called on President Obama to fire Emanuel via the former governor's Facebook page.[78][79]

Emanuel also could make his team laugh. Chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra would come to staff meetings and give uniformly upbeat reports, administration aides said. Once Emanuel is said to have looked at him and said: "Whatever you're taking, I want some." Emanuel had a hand in war strategy, political maneuvering, communications and economic policy. Bob Woodward wrote in his book, Obama's Wars that Emanuel made a habit of calling up CIA Director Leon Panetta and asking about the lethal drone strikes aimed at Al Qaeda. "Who did we get today?" he would ask.[80]

In 2010, Emanuel was reported to have conflicts with other senior members of the president's team and ideological clashes over policy. He was also the focal point of criticism from left-leaning Democrats for the administration's perceived move to the center. By September 2010, with the Democrats anticipating heavy losses in midterm elections, this was said to precipitate Emanuel's departure as Chief of Staff.[81]

2011 Chicago mayoral campaign

Wikinews has related news:
See also: Chicago mayoral election, 2011

On September 30, 2010, it was announced that Emanuel would be leaving his post as White House Chief of Staff to run for Mayor of Chicago. He was replaced by Pete Rouse on October 2, 2010.

After being cleared as eligible to run for mayor by the Board of Elections and the Cook County Circuit Court (his eligibility was challenged on the basis of his lack of residency in Chicago for one year prior to the election), a divided Court of Appeals reversed holding on January 24, 2011 that residency for purposes of a candidate is different than residency for purposes of being a voter.[7] Nevertheless, a further appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court resulted in a unanimous decision reversing the Court of Appeals and affirming Emanuel's eligibility to run for mayor. Emanuel was elected mayor on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. [8][82] He will be Chicago's first Jewish mayor.[83]

Emanuel's electoral campaign was the inspiration for a Twitter account, @MayorEmanuel, which was written by Chicago journalist Dan Sinker. The account received over 43000 followers, and was more popular than Emanuel's real Twitter account. Emanuel announced on February 28th that if the author would reveal himself, he would donate $5000 to the charity of his choice.[84] When Sinker revealed himself, Emanuel donated the money to Young Chicago Authors, an community organisation which helps young people with writing and publishing skills.[85]

Electoral history

U.S. House, 5th District of Illinois (General Election)
Year Winning candidate Party Pct Opponent Party Pct Opponent Party Pct
2002 Rahm Emanuel Democratic 67% Mark Augusti Republican 29% Frank Gonzalez Libertarian 4%
2004 Rahm Emanuel (inc.) Democratic 76% Bruce Best Republican 24%
2006 Rahm Emanuel (inc.) Democratic 78% Kevin White Republican 22%
2008 Rahm Emanuel (inc.) Democratic 74% Tom Hanson Republican 22% Alan Augustson Green 4%
Mayor of Chicago (General Election)
Year Winning candidate Party Pct Opponent Party Pct Opponent Party Pct Opponent Party Pct Opponent Party Pct
2011 Rahm Emanuel Democratic 55% Gery Chico Democratic 25% Miguel del Valle Democratic 9% Carol Moseley Braun Democratic 8% Other Democratic 4%

[86]

Works

  • Emanuel, Rahm; Reed, Bruce (August 2006). The Plan: Big Ideas for America. New York: PublicAffairs Books of Perseus Books Group. ISBN 1586484125.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hendrix, Steve (2006-10-22). "Fighting for The Spoils". The Washington Post. p. D1. Retrieved 2008-11-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "Feb. 22, 2011 City of Chicago Municipal General Election". Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. 2011-02-22. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  3. ^ Bohn, Kevin (February 22, 2011). "Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral vote". CNN. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Baker, Peter and Zeleny, Jeff (2008-11-06). "For Obama, No Time to Bask in Victory As He Starts to Build a Transition Team". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-17.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c d O'Connor, Patrick and Mike Allen (2008-11-06). "Exclusive: Emanuel accepts White House job". politico.com. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  6. ^ a b "Emanuel, Rahm". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress.
  7. ^ a b http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2011/1stDistrict/January/1110033.pdf
  8. ^ a b Sophia Tareen,Tammy Webber (2011-01-27). "Ill. high court: Emanuel can run for Chicago mayor". MSNBC. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  9. ^ ABC News: Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel Likely to Announce White House Departure This Week
  10. ^ a b c d e f Bumiller, Elisabeth (1997-06-15). "The Brothers Emanuel". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  11. ^ a b c Green, Joshua (2005-10-20). "The Enforcer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 208-12-17. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/03/11/biden-in-moldova-tracing-rahm-natalie-portman-roots/
  13. ^ a b c Kuttler, Hillel (July 1, 1997). "The view from the top". Jerusalem Post.
  14. ^ a b Pfeffer, Anshel and Shlomo Shamir (November 6, 2006). "Obama's first pick: Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff". Haaretz. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  15. ^ a b c Easton, Nina (October 2, 2006). "Rahm Emanuel: Rejuvenating the hopes of House Democrats". Fortune Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2008. {{cite news}}: More than one of |work= and |magazine= specified (help) Cite error: The named reference "Fortune_Easton_20061002" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  16. ^ Kampeas, Ron (November 9, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel: attack dog, policy wonk, committed Jew". JTA. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |accssdate= (help)
  17. ^ Stephey, M.J. (November 6, 2008). "2-min. Bio; Rahm Emanuel". TIME. Retrieved November 20, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Rahm Emanuel, Obama's pick for Chief of Staff, is tough, direct and wedded to his Jewish roots". Jewish Journal. Los Angeles. November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  19. ^ Zogby, James (November 14, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel and Arab Perceptions".
  20. ^ Azoulay, Orly (November 2, 2008). "Obama's Israeli adviser: Next White House chief of staff?". Ynet.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kintisch, Eli. "Newest Jewish U.S. Representative Makes Instant Impact". JTA. Retrieved June 2, 2007.
  22. ^ a b Smalley, Suzanne (April 14, 2008). "Come, O Come, Emanuel". Newsweek. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ a b "About Rahm". Congressman Rahm Emanuel. United States House of Representatives. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  24. ^ a b "Rahm Emanuel". Jewish Virtual Library. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  25. ^ "Profile:Rahm Emanuel—Former ballet dancer turned political fixer". The Guardian. London. November 10, 2006. p. 18. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
  26. ^ "The 2008 Forward 50 Picks "Rahmbo," Obama's New Chief, Edgy". Bloomberg News. November 13, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  27. ^ Coughlin, Con (2006). American Ally: Tony Blair and the War on Terror. HarperCollins.
  28. ^ Cilizza, Chris (November 6, 2008). "Ten Facts You Need to Know About Rahm Emanuel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-12-02. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |column= ignored (help)
  29. ^ "Rahm Emanuel Facts". rahmfacts.com. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  30. ^ "Rahmblr". Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  31. ^ Schroeder, Anne (2008-11-12). "Because really there's never too much Rahm anything". Shenanigans. Politico. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  32. ^ David Bender, Host. Lawrence O'Donnell, Guest. (2008-11-09). "Politically Direct". Politically Direct with David Bender. 14:17 minutes in. Air America Radio. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ MacAskill, Ewen (November 7, 2008). "Economic rescue plan main priority as new chief of staff named". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 7, 2008. Like the president-elect, Emanuel is a Chicago native with a strong connection to the city's politicians. Both have inspired characters on the television series The West Wing, with Emanuel providing the model for deputy Chief-of-Staff Josh Lyman.
  34. ^ a b c Sanati, Cyrus; Sorkin, Andrew Ross (November 7, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel, Former Investment Banker". New York Times. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  35. ^ Easton, Nina (September 25, 2006). "Rahm Emanuel, Pitbull politician". Fortune. {{cite journal}}: More than one of |work= and |journal= specified (help)
  36. ^ Poor, Jeff (November 6, 2008). "Obama's Chief of Staff Pick a Freddie Mac Alum". Business & Media Institute. Retrieved November 8, 2008. [dead link‍]
  37. ^ a b c d Secter, Bob; Zajac, Andrew (2009-03-26). "Rahm Emanuel's profitable stint at mortgage giant". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  38. ^ Sweet, Lynn (January 3, 2002). "Too much money a bad thing? 5th District House candidate Rahm Emanuel tested voter reaction to $6 million salary". The Chicago Sun-Times.
  39. ^ Ross, Brian (November 7, 2008). "Emanuel Was Director Of Freddie Mac During Scandal". ABC News. Retrieved November 7, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ a b Wilgoren, Jodi (March 6, 2002). "Ethnic Comments Rattle Race for Congress". New York Times.
  41. ^ Sweet, Lynn (November 7, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel, enforcer". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  42. ^ Simon, Roger (February 3, 1997). "The man who would be [[George Stephanopoulos|George]]: Rahm Emanuel, centrist of the universe". The New Republic (paid access). 216 (5): 17. {{cite journal}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  43. ^ Emanuel, Congressman Rahm (September 28, 2004). "Emanuel to Co-Chair Congressional Serbian Caucus" (Press release). U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  44. ^ Secter, Bob; Zajac, Andrew. "Rahm Emanuel's profitable stint at mortgage giant". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  45. ^ Allen, Mike and Perry Bacon, Jr. (June 4, 2006). "Whose Party Is It Anyway?". Time.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ Haygood, Wil (November 9, 2006). "Democratic 'Golden Boy' Rahm Emanuel, Basking In the Glow of Victory". Washington Post. p. C05. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  47. ^ "Justin Coussoule Confirms Obama/Kaine Threw Out Dean's 50 State Strategy And Have Given Him NO Support". Crooks and Liars. August 14, 2010.
  48. ^ Dorning, Mike (January 19, 2007). "Rahm Emanuel's Great Loyalty Test". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  49. ^ Murray, Shailagh (2008-06-04). "Emanuel Endorses Obama". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  50. ^ Mayer, Lindsay Renick (November 5, 2008). "Obama's Pick for Chief of Staff Tops Recipients of Wall Street Money". Open Secrets. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  51. ^ Rahm Emanuel: Campaign Finance at Open Secrets
  52. ^ Babington, Charles and Jonathan Weisman (November 10, 2006). "Reid, Pelosi Expected to Keep Tight Rein in Both Chambers". Washington Post. p. A12.
  53. ^ Allen, Mike (June 27, 2007). "Dems force Cheney to flip-flop on secret doc". Politico.com.
  54. ^ Morris, Rachel (March 23, 2010). "Healthcare reform? Thank Nancy Pelosi". The Guardian. London.
  55. ^ Renner, Matt (September 6, 2007). "Democratic House Officials Recruited Wealthy Conservatives". truthout.org.
  56. ^ Emanuel, Rahm and Bruce Reed (2006). The Plan: Big Ideas for Change in America. PublicAffairs Books.
  57. ^ "Service". BarackObama.com.
  58. ^ Rahm Emanuel on the Issues, On the Issues, November 14, 2008
  59. ^ "Online Focus: Taking Aim". The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. April 6, 1998.
  60. ^ Nichols, John (November 5, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel: Face of Change?". The Nation. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  61. ^ "Congressman Rahm Emanuel Named Chief of Staff to President-elect Obama" (Press release). Democratic Leadership Council. November 6, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  62. ^ a b Ninan, Reena and Judson Berger. "With Emanuel, Obama Could Be Sending Signal to Israel". Fox News. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  63. ^ a b Miller, Rich (August 8, 2008). "Once again, Blagojevich proves why he can't be trusted". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  64. ^ Blackledge, Brett J. (2008-12-20). "Senate-for-sale case threatens new chief of staff". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  65. ^ Weisman, Jonathan (2008-11-19). "Emanuel sets a challenge". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-02-26. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  66. ^ WhiteHouse.Gov Cabinet page.
  67. ^ Merrion, Paul (December 29, 2008). "Emanuel resigns seat effective Friday". ChicagoBusiness.com. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  68. ^ "Emanuel's departure will trigger special election". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. November 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  69. ^ Mihalopoulos, Dan (2009-01-20). "26 file for congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  70. ^ John McCormick and Dan Mihalopoulos, Candidate says Emanuel might want to reclaim House seat someday, Chicago Tribune, February 1, 2009.
  71. ^ Talev, Margaret; Thomma, Steven (November 7, 2008). "Obama names chief of staff, plans news conference as transition pace picks up". McClatchy Newspapers. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  72. ^ Goldberg, Jeffrey (November 6, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel and Israel". The Atlantic.
  73. ^ Kenner, David (November 7, 2008). "Rahm Emanuel and Israel". Foreign Policy.
  74. ^ Kalman, Matthew (November 6, 2008). "Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is no pal of ours, Israel's foes say". New York Daily News.
  75. ^ Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada said that Obama's appointment of Emanuel sent the signal he would not be taking "more balanced, more objective, more realistic advice that could change the course from the disastrous Palestine-Israel policies of the Bush and Clinton administrations." "President-Elect Obama and the Future of US Foreign Policy: A Roundtable Discussion". Democracy Now. November 6, 2008.
  76. ^ "Top Obama aide apologizes for father's remarks". Reuters. November 13, 2008.
  77. ^ Baker, Peter; Zeleny, Jeff (August 16, 2009). "Emanuel Wields Power Freely, and Faces the Risks". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  78. ^ Zeleny, Jeff and Stolberg, Sheryl, "Emanuel Apologizes, in Wake of Palin Slam", The New York Times, February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  79. ^ Tapper, Jake, "Rahm Apologizes for Privately Calling Liberal Activists 'Retarded'", ABC News, February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  80. ^ Rahm Emanuel's old-school style was key to new presidency
  81. ^ Spillius, Alex (September 30, 2010). "Pete Rouse to replace Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  82. ^ Turow, Scott (February 17, 2011). "The One-Man Political Machine". The New York Times Sunday Magazine, February 20. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. (Note the original has better formatting.)
  83. ^ [1]
  84. ^ http://twitter.com/RahmEmanuel/status/42340121093226496
  85. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/rahm-emanuel-dan-sinker-m_n_830577.html
  86. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/22/illinois.elections/index.html?hpt=T2

Further reading

Biography
  • Bendavid, Naftali (May 8, 2007). The Thumpin': How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to Be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0385523288.
Articles
Video
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
from Illinois's 5th congressional district
2003–2009 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by White House Chief of Staff
2009–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Chicago
Elect
2011–present 		Incumbent

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Rahm_Emanuel&oldid=419992836"