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Emanuel reaches out to Republicans

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 20, 2008 03:10 PM

The incoming White House chief of staff met this afternoon with Senate Republican leaders and pronounced an era of possible cooperation.

Rahm Emanuel said he has also met individually with top House Republicans at the direction of President-elect Barack Obama to make clear he values their input on the economic crisis and other challenges facing the country.

"We would like and welcome their ideas on a host of fronts, be that in the area of education, health care, taxes, energy policy, national security," Emanuel told reporters after the half-hour session with Senate Republicans.

"And this is all an attempt because, as President-elect Obama has repeatedly said, the challenges for the country are large; the problems we face of a serious magnitude, that there is enough area and enough good will for ideas from both parties to solve those challenges."

Emanuel, a former congressman from Illinois, developed a reputation for sharp elbows -- and the nickname "Rahmbo" -- for some of his dealings with Republicans.

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Media Stunt - Rahm Emanuel is the left's most anti-Republican - hateful member of congress, this is all a stunt. He is the left's Dick Cheney. I promise you'll see Mr. Emanuel spewing his hate filled rhetoric - within months of being COS. He is the worst pick to try and bring people together. Just google Emanuel and abrasive - and get ready for swear words and Clinton-ian division - no republican trusts this guy. Emanuel represents the exact opposite of Obama's campaign to bring people together - he will only divide people and turn Republicans against Obama's agenda even more.

So this is change, Emanuel, Daschle, Clinton... ?

Posted by Ben November 20, 08 03:55 PM
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Typical Republican thinking by Ben - "They must be just like us" ... even before giving it a chance to prove their (often proved bogus) predictions. Emanuel is certainly a "hard charger", but he is working for Obama - not the other way around. When the boss sets the tune, the troops typically dance to it rather the other way around. See Bush's true colors on "compassionate conservatism" and "fiscal responsibility" leading the Republican down the rat hole it currently finds itself in for instance.

Posted by Skeptical Debunker November 20, 08 04:16 PM
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Swear words? That's it?

Someone needs to be tough with the Republicans. Otherwise, they'll never learn to avoid a repeat of their egregious abuses of power over the last eight years.

Posted by lovable liberal November 20, 08 04:23 PM
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They all have their agendas. I just have to thanks BUSH and the ingnorant people. If it was not for all of the US ignoring their politicians, and BUSH messing up the country, we could not have the extremely left gov't that will take over in january.

Bravo, uninterested ingnorant people.
I am luckly enough not to care either way, just riding the wave to chaos.

Posted by Cesar November 20, 08 04:44 PM
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If Rahm Emanuels is so serious about working together he needs to apologise for swearing and using foul language towards the Republican.As a matter of fact he needs to give a newborn Rahm Emanuels speech and beg for forgiveness from the other side.

Posted by skmj November 21, 08 03:34 PM
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the pres-elect has a big majority in the us house,is one vote shy of supper majority in the senate;,if the republicans were smart they would stay in the wilderness for the next eight years. then surface and ask have you had enough change.

Posted by happy voter November 24, 08 12:09 PM
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