It was surreal today, listening to the news conference wishing Mr. Emmanuel the best success, and sincerely thanking him for his service, giving him a chance to say a word as he prepares to leave.
No doubt, he busted his rear end, and has worked harder than most of us could dream to. He earned the gray hairs on his head, none of us can question that.
The President's humorous remark was so telling - that once R.E. lost the use of his middle finger, and as a result "temporarily became mute." Everybody laughed - because they know the guy has "issues," and those issues have finally caught up with him. Probably very few are sorry to see him go. I, for one, am deeply hopeful that our next Chief of Staff will be someone like Byron Dorgan who will appeal to the entire American mainstream, while being a rock-solid progressive.
I could hardly believe it when Emmanuel stated that he admired the President because he had "stood up to the American people." Did anyone you happen to notice that?
It was so weird - as if the elected representative of the people is supposed to stand up to the American people, and to flaunt their will!
That's exactly what Mr. Emmanuel represented in his term as the guy who does what the President does when the President is away. Yes - the Chief of Staff is more powerful than the Vice President in many respects. He controls the show in the White House, and to a large extent, the woes of this President are attributable to none other than his Chief of Staff.
Yes - Rahm Emmanuel stood up to the American people, and that is why it is past time for him to leave. He never should have been appointed. If the Dems lose control of Congress, it's probably Rahm Emmanuel who is to blame, more than anyone else.