The story just confirms that Rahm is a jerk and not the politcal genius they want to pretend he is. Three examples of his lack of political judgement: His pick to challenge Pombo in CA lost in the primary to an insurgent that in fact was able to beat Pombo; he backed Duckworth over long-time favorite Cegelis for Henry Hyde’s open seat–while Duckworth’s story is admirable she proved a bad candidate and lost. And finally he touted a lame Jim Craig in NH 01–bully lawyers in Boston to give Craig money, after Rahm had already flushed $12,000 down Craig’s drain…only to have Craig trounced by Carol Shea-Porter, who went on to defeat the Republican WITH NO HELP FROM RAHM AND THE DCCC!
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A lot of Democrats will call themselves political geniuses when in fact they got lucky riding the tide. Rahm is one on them.
shiltonesays
The article is definitely a little over the top, but there’s some fascinating stuff in there about how a deal like this gets done. I don’t know where all the credit goes, but there’s no question the national Democrats needed an infusion of toughness, or intestinal fortitude — call it what you will. Mistakes were definitely made, in the recruiting and otherwise; the “Fighting Dems” were an aggregate bust in an election cycle that focused on Iraq, for example. But you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and I can’t argue with the net result.
sharoneysays
…at self-promotion.
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He did it, in large measure, by remaking the Democratic Party in his own image.
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I just threw up a little in my mouth.
tomsays
Is he missing a finger in that picture?
stomvsays
Lost half a finger to an Arby’s meat cutter as a teen, IIRC.
danseidmansays
His politics are centrist, but his style is extremist. The top of his right middle finger was severed when he was a teenager, adding to his aura of toughnessespecially when he extends that middle finger, which he does with some regularity.
I think overall he was right; one of the most important factors in electability is the capacity to raise money. For this election, I think he did a lot more good than harm.
I always wondered why it didn’t quite taste like beef.
stomvsays
I know, I know, it’s the anti-kos position in some sense. Here’s the deal: he kicks ass and takes names. Dems have been seen as wimps for a long time, and maybe some of its true. The fact is, you need money to win, and you need somebody pushing, pushing, pushing all the time. That’s Rahm’s role.
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He’s not the only necessary part of the victory, but he was a necessary part. He helped raise record funds. He helped recruit Schuler and many other great candidates. He forced the GOP to play defense, over a wider and wider scope of seats.
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Rahm isn’t the end-all be-all. But, he is tough — and this election cycle needed some toughness from the Dems. He helped provide that.
tomsays
What’s being obscured by all the angling for credit is that we’re very lucky that the planets aligned for the Dems. Republican missteps and corruption was a gift from the political gods and we had three talented people leading the take-back effort: Emanuel, Schumer and Dean.
frankskeffingtonsays
Rahm and all desire some credit. But he also made some bad movesm which the story totally overlooked–so much for fair and balanced. It was a puff peice from a home town paper.
The story just confirms that Rahm is a jerk and not the politcal genius they want to pretend he is. Three examples of his lack of political judgement: His pick to challenge Pombo in CA lost in the primary to an insurgent that in fact was able to beat Pombo; he backed Duckworth over long-time favorite Cegelis for Henry Hyde’s open seat–while Duckworth’s story is admirable she proved a bad candidate and lost. And finally he touted a lame Jim Craig in NH 01–bully lawyers in Boston to give Craig money, after Rahm had already flushed $12,000 down Craig’s drain…only to have Craig trounced by Carol Shea-Porter, who went on to defeat the Republican WITH NO HELP FROM RAHM AND THE DCCC!
<
p>
A lot of Democrats will call themselves political geniuses when in fact they got lucky riding the tide. Rahm is one on them.
The article is definitely a little over the top, but there’s some fascinating stuff in there about how a deal like this gets done. I don’t know where all the credit goes, but there’s no question the national Democrats needed an infusion of toughness, or intestinal fortitude — call it what you will. Mistakes were definitely made, in the recruiting and otherwise; the “Fighting Dems” were an aggregate bust in an election cycle that focused on Iraq, for example. But you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and I can’t argue with the net result.
…at self-promotion.
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p>
<
p>
I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Is he missing a finger in that picture?
Lost half a finger to an Arby’s meat cutter as a teen, IIRC.
I think overall he was right; one of the most important factors in electability is the capacity to raise money. For this election, I think he did a lot more good than harm.
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p> – Dan
I always wondered why it didn’t quite taste like beef.
I know, I know, it’s the anti-kos position in some sense. Here’s the deal: he kicks ass and takes names. Dems have been seen as wimps for a long time, and maybe some of its true. The fact is, you need money to win, and you need somebody pushing, pushing, pushing all the time. That’s Rahm’s role.
<
p>
He’s not the only necessary part of the victory, but he was a necessary part. He helped raise record funds. He helped recruit Schuler and many other great candidates. He forced the GOP to play defense, over a wider and wider scope of seats.
<
p>
Rahm isn’t the end-all be-all. But, he is tough — and this election cycle needed some toughness from the Dems. He helped provide that.
What’s being obscured by all the angling for credit is that we’re very lucky that the planets aligned for the Dems. Republican missteps and corruption was a gift from the political gods and we had three talented people leading the take-back effort: Emanuel, Schumer and Dean.
Rahm and all desire some credit. But he also made some bad movesm which the story totally overlooked–so much for fair and balanced. It was a puff peice from a home town paper.