Well... this is interesting... here's the telling bit, to me:
It is well known in Washington that arguments have developed between pragmatic Mr Emanuel, a veteran in Congress where he was known for driving through compromises, and the idealistic inner circle who followed Mr Obama to the White House.
His abrasive style has rubbed some people the wrong way, while there has been frustration among Mr Obama's closest advisers that he failed to deliver a smooth ride for the president's legislative programme that his background promised.
"It might not be his fault, but the perception is there," said the consultant, who asked not to be named. "Every vote has been tough, from health care to energy to financial reform.
"Democrats have not stood behind the president in the way Republicans did for George W Bush, and that was meant to be Rahm's job."
As I have repeatedly pointed out, Rahm is the worst kind of solipsistic pragmatist. He is more interested in politics than policy, and that makes him a liability to my way of thinking.
Calling your subordinates a bunch of F'n retards... not a great path to a working relationship, especially one in which the only goal was ensuring Rahm Emanuel keeps a job, and precious little else...
The real question I have is if he leaves after the mid-term election, will there be time (or a friendly enough Congress) to salvage anything vaguely resembling a progressive agenda?
Right now, I am not optimistic...
mojo sends
