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Emanuel, Kerry on Obama's list?

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 5, 2008 04:36 PM

President-elect Barack Obama wants Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, a close friend and supporter, as his chief of staff, the Associated Press is reporting.

The AP also reports that Democratic officials say that Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the party's nominee in 2004, is actively seeking the post as secretary of state.

UPDATE: Kerry's spokeswoman, Bridig O'Rourke, disputed the reports. "It's not true. It's ridiculous," she told the AP.

The appointment of Emanuel, who served as a political and policy adviser to President Clinton, isn't expected today, though some media organizations are reporting that he has accepted the job.

Instead, the AP said, Obama plans to announce that his transition team would be headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under Clinton; Pete Rouse, who has been Obama's chief of staff in the Senate; and Valerie Jarrett, a friend of the president-elect and campaign adviser.

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And Sarah Palin as Ambassador to Russia. She'll be able to see home from work...

Posted by LinkFan November 5, 08 01:15 PM
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Secretary of State should be Bill Clinton.
Secretary of Defesne Colin Powell.

Posted by Russ Payne November 5, 08 01:48 PM
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The Democratic Party needs former Senator Gary Hart in some position, at least as part of a Brain Trust. Hart is an idea man, a progressive thinker, a student of foreign policy, and a Westerner.

Posted by Bill Rush November 5, 08 01:51 PM
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Colin Powell SOD!
Hillary SOS!

Posted by Sam P November 5, 08 01:59 PM
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I totally agree with the clinton and powell possible nomination.

Posted by jaucoin November 5, 08 02:01 PM
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What about Hillary Clinton????????????

Posted by Rajah November 5, 08 02:04 PM
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I think Jeremiah Wright should be Chief of Staff he and Obama are already friends and Bill Ayers Secretary of defense he is real good with bombs

Posted by CC November 5, 08 02:08 PM
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Hillary would make an excellent Supreme Court Justice.

Posted by RahKyndl November 5, 08 02:17 PM
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Now if he could get Warren Buffett to become Treasury Secretary.

Posted by Mary November 5, 08 02:20 PM
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Create an immediate think tank of four retired three and four star generals and four former secretaries of state, two political scientist, two historians and one strong woman to moderate the group. Meet twice a month to brain storm on how to approach and diffuse tensions and distrust in the international community.
The globe has gotten very small, very fast, Create an internet site called "NewWorld CitizensCommunication.com" Hire two internet gurus as USA relationship ombudsmen/woman to monitor and report concerns of citizens around the world>

Posted by V.Sealy November 5, 08 02:26 PM
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Bill Clinton as Sec of State, absolutely.
Colin Powell as Sec of State, absolutely.

Posted by John M November 5, 08 02:31 PM
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Glen Beck and Bill O''Reilly as attack dogs outside the White House.
These two clowns are still ranting and foaming at the mouth blaming McCain for loosing the elections.
George Bush and Karl Rove to the Department of Disinformation they have had eight years of experience in this area.
Cheney as Ambassador to Iraq since Haliburton has vested interests there he can take care of it and work without pay for the Foreign affairs Department.

Posted by Chuck Coon November 5, 08 02:48 PM
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Thank you, Sarah Palin, for at least having the courage to step out and do your best ... I could not fathom you as President, let alone Vice President. But, you certainly made this election more colorful; more entertaining. (Your make-up is stunning!)

Posted by LBNelson November 5, 08 02:50 PM
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John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, hummm... I thought we were going to not do things "the old way" in Washington.

There I go, believing a politician.

Posted by Don't Know Buppkiss November 5, 08 02:52 PM
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Emanuel? You've gotta be kidding. He's historically one of the most divicive guys on the hill. Here is an excerpt from a NYT article on him:

Emanuel Attended A Meeting With Clinton Campaign Advisers Following The 1992 Campaign To Discuss Which Politicians And Members Of The Press They Would Seek Revenge Upon. "It was there that Emanuel, then Clinton's chief fund-raiser, repaired with George Stephanopoulos, Mandy Grunwald and other aides to Doe's, the campaign hangout. Revenge was heavy in the air as the group discussed the enemies -- Democrats, Republicans, members of the press -- who wronged them during the 1992 campaign. Clifford Jackson, the ex-friend of the President and peddler of the Clinton draft-dodging stories, was high on the list. So was William Donald Schaefer, then the Governor of Maryland and a Democrat who endorsed George Bush. Nathan Landow, the fund-raiser who backed the candidacy of Paul Tsongas, made it, too." (Elisabeth Bumiller, "The Brothers Emanuel," The New York Times, 6/15/97)
-- "Suddenly Emanuel Grabbed His Steak Knife And, As Those Who Were
There Remember [Sic] It, Shouted Out The Name Of Another Enemy, Lifted
The Knife, Then Brought It Down With Full Force Into The Table.
'Dead!' He Screamed." The group immediately joined in the cathartic
release: 'Nat Landow! Dead!
Cliff Jackson! Dead! Bill Schaefer! Dead!'" (Elisabeth
Bumiller, "The Brothers Emanuel," The New York Times, 6/15/97)

Posted by jc November 5, 08 02:55 PM
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CC: And yourself for Sec of Education, since you're obviously such a genius ...

Posted by Stephen November 5, 08 03:11 PM
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Now let’s not go overboard. I prefer Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, and Bill is my favorite President from my lifetime, but even I must admit that the Clintons were pretty nasty to Barack during the Primary campaign, especially Bill. The fact that he didn’t pick her as a running mate shows that Obama is having a hard time letting go of that. Unless he can get over the grudge COMPLETELY, he shouldn’t try to work with them that closely, better to leave them to the work they are already doing. As for Powell, he might be easier to work with, but I think he is pretty comfortable in his retirement from front-line politics, preferring to do things that are just as important but rather more quiet.

Posted by Ethan November 5, 08 03:14 PM
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Is my tax in the mail yet?

Posted by Joe The Plumber November 5, 08 03:21 PM
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Gary Hart??????????????????? I do hope you are kidding!

Posted by Maizyblue November 5, 08 03:53 PM
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How about a Secretary of Peace?
Dennis Kucinich

Posted by mshem November 5, 08 03:55 PM
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Rahm Emanuel - Yes
John Kerry - No. We need a change.
What about Bill Richardson? Former US Ambassador to the UN.
I like Colin Powell, but he will have credibility problems.
Great idea Mary about Warren Buffett/Treasury Secretary
Hillary is talented in so many areas, but she also has an important role in the Senate

Posted by Rachel November 5, 08 04:30 PM
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Rahm Emanuel - Yes
John Kerry - No. We need a change.
What about Bill Richardson? Former US Ambassador to the UN.
I like Colin Powell, but he will have credibility problems.
Great idea Mary about Warren Buffett/Treasury Secretary
Hillary is talented in so many areas, but she also has an important role in the Senate

Posted by Rachel November 5, 08 04:30 PM
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I guess we won't be hearing much from MoveOn. org , or Code Pink, or any of the other hateful McCain-bashers or Bush-bashers ever since they went into operation on this day ... eight years ago … and continued non-stop until yesterday.

No more treasonous language and slander from Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi toward those of us who made Iraq a success either.

OIFVetJust remember, the hatred and contempt can go both ways ... and certainly will every time the Nicarette chewing, gum smacking Chicago shyster falls on his face, and until he loses the 2010 election or gets booted out first, 48% of us will be all over him, in spite of a pants wetting media that may or may not come to his aid.

Posted by OIFVetForMcCain November 5, 08 04:33 PM
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Two years from now, many of Obama's fairy tales, deceptions, lies and failures will be evident, and it will be much more difficult for the democrats to blame their mistakes on the Republicans than it was in this election, Bush won't be President then, and the democrats will have to account for things they've done and not done. We Republicans will be keeping itemized lists of it all, and we'll be waiting, as we will four years from now.

Posted by lightnin November 5, 08 04:47 PM
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When is the last time Kerry was even in Washington for something? I think there was a flight layover 12 years ago when he was stuck, but only for a few hours.

Posted by JM November 5, 08 06:51 PM
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Emanuel should be Sec of Defence. He could show our enemies his ability to stab tables with a steak knife and yell dead. He would scare the hell out of North Korea and Iran's leaders. Ayers could be Homeland security Chief. He has already bombed the Pentagon and police stations so he knows where all the weak points are in America. Farrakhan could be ambassador to Israel as he likes the jewish people so much.

Posted by Don Wilkerson November 5, 08 11:42 PM
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why did john kerry run for re-election if he had no intention of serving even one day of his term. since ted kennedy is ill, if he quits massachusetts will have 0 senators. shoudn't he have told the voters before the election that he was looking for another job.

Posted by jennifer November 6, 08 12:45 AM
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This is change? This is no longer politics as usual? This is an end to partisanship? Rahm Emanuel is one of the most partisan creatures on the planet!!! Barack, everyone believed in you when you said you were for a new kind of politics!!! Ah well, yes, but then you are after all just another liberal politician. Oh, now I get it. We're just "changing" one kind of politician for a different, more partisan politician. Glad I got that straightened out...

Posted by Joe the Plumber November 6, 08 02:01 AM
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"OIFVetJust remember, the hatred and contempt can go both ways ... and certainly will every time the Nicarette chewing, gum smacking Chicago shyster falls on his face, and until he loses the 2010 election or gets booted out first, 48% of us will be all over him, in spite of a pants wetting media that may or may not come to his aid."

Why do you hate America so much?

Posted by Jim Collins November 8, 08 05:23 PM
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