Rahm Emmanuel

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

I am getting so tired of him and democrats like him piling on the Democratic Party with this narrative that the party lost because of being too woke and playing identity politics. This is such a myth perpetrated by republicans, the media, and democrats like Emmanuel. Since Obama both parties have been moving right, and Republicans have been playing the identity politics game. But somehow, Republicans talking about trans, CRT, DEI, woke is the Democrats playing identity politics. Last year all I saw from republicans were identity politics commercials while Democrats were putting out commercials discussing pocket book issues.

[SocialDemocrat61]

1. Republicans invented identity politics

“If you’re white straight and Christian, you’d better vote for us.” Anyone who accuses democrats of identity politics is just parroting a right wing talking point.

[sop]

5. Republicans also invented class warfare politics.

Any Democrat who talks about economic injustice and wealth disparity in America is accused of class warfare. As Warren Buffet noted: "There's class warfare, all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning."

[DownriverDem]

44. Make that

repub Christian. They sure aren't true Christians. They don't follow the Prince of Peace. They don't follow the Sermon on the Mount. They are such hypocrites.

[marble falls]

2. Read this morning somewhere he's seriously concidering a run for the White House. I think he's dreaming.

[Attilatheblond]

4. Oh, gawd, no!

Just hearing his name mentioned gives me the willies.

[marble falls]

8. Me, too. He may be an insider and a good strategist, but he's not the guy I'd want for President.

[BComplex]

80. One of the MOST right wing democrats I've ever seen. I couldn't believe Obama picked him for his chief of staff

right out of the gate. Rahm is as right wing as they come for a democrat.

[marble falls]

10. I don't think he'll make it to the primaries.

[calimary]

15. To be completely honest, I'm surprised it took him this long.

I suspect he wants to keep the presidency for as long as he draws breath. I suspect he really likes the power, and LOVES the immunity protections.

[TBF]

53. God no, that's the last thing the dem party needs. nt

[TBF]

65. For people who have forgotten this guy -

here's the part where he called liberals "fxxxxxx retarded". Yes, that was him.

https://abcnews.go.com/WN/rahm-emanuel-retarded-comment-puts-offensiveness-spotlight/story?id=9738134

[kimbutgar]

66. No thank you I'll pass !

He’s a corporate Dem. We need a fighter not an institutionalist!

[PufPuf23]

70. Rahm Emmanuel for POTUS will put a divide in the Democratic Party when

Democrats best work together.

Rahm Emmanuel is best left in the rearview mirror of Democratic politics.

Youth, the Left, anti-war and progressives and similar are already being set up as scapegoats.

Same as it ever was.

Since 1968 just about every major Democratic move was brought to the top of the political table from those groups.

Since 1968 those same groups have been repeatedly scapegoated for political losses and ideals continually compromised.

The USA is dying because of the distribution of wealth and income, religious fantasy and provincialism.

[jaymac]

74. dreaming

I say Bah Humbug to Rahm running. he's surely not what democrats want. like James Carville he's not said one good word about any of the potential prez runners and it seems he can only damn democrats who look at the country we live in and say we have long standing problems that should be recognized and addressed. Rahm saying dems are "woke and weak" undermines this. he's not helping, he's harming.

[drmeow]

87. He won't be my choice

in the primary!

[Jkanad]

88. What I hear from Chicago ...

… That he’s considering another run for mayor of Chicago.

[marble falls]

89. The first term did not go swimingly as a I recall.

[leftstreet]

3. So he's saying Democratic voters are the problem?

After all it was 6+ million of them who voted for Biden, but not for Harris.

[In It to Win It]

6. It's a lazy and convenient excuse. Show us the woke bills. Where's the identity policy that Kamala proposed?

It's like Bill Maher saying the party has gone too woke... and then shows a clip from a dating show of a girl talking about Black Lives Matter as if that is representative of Democrats. This woman is not a Democratic symbol. She didn't campaign or run for anything. No one voted for her. Yet, somehow she's representative of why Democrats lose.

[Walleye]

7. It was misogyny, that not just extends to the candidate, but because the party supports the rights of women

[UniqueUserName]

11. It was just as much racism as misogyny.

53% of white women voted for Trump ---only 7% less than their male counterparts.

[Walleye]

14. True because Democrats protect the rights of all races. But Black people voted for Trump too you know.

[UniqueUserName]

26. Agreed. But I truly thought women would value their own rights to bodily autonomy over racism.

Well, I thought more black men would value civil rights over male privilege.

One thing that I have to give Trump credit for: He can bring out the worst in humanity. I've never been so disappointed in my fellow citizens. I am merely trying to accept what it says about the country. I thought we were better than that.

I will still vote for Democrats. I will still be engaged. But I can't deny that people are worse than I thought. 2016, you could argue, "They didn't know. They wanted change." You can't argue that they didn't know this time. Well, someone can argue that and will. I won't subscribe to that opinion. Roughly one third of US citizens are total shits.

[Walleye]

58. Yes, also the "pro lifers" will never vote for a Democrat because we "murder babies"

[speak easy]

31. White Women - you have to did into the cross tabs;

White Women with college/some college voted Harris 58 - 41
White Women with no college voted Trump 63 - 35

[TBF]

56. IDK - we elected Barack Obama twice. Yet we can't elect a woman. nt

[JCMach1]

12. This is a DNC trial balloon from Pelosi and Co.

Not down for this.

[get the red out]

13. YES

I am sick to death of democrats yelling ME TOO regarding Republican word vomit.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. We got defined by the opposition.

It wasn't enough to call Donald Trump "weird". We didn't paint him with 2025 enough, and scream enough warning signs. We bought ad time. They bought the media.

[mtngirl47]

22. Exactly this. n/t

[LoisB]

41. Hear, hear!

[Fiendish Thingy]

17. You won't like this latest news then:

Emmanuel has openly signaled he intends to run for president in 2028.

He will never be the nominee, of course, but can you imagine the damage he will do to the Dems with his anti-progressive negativity during the primaries?

[Bobstandard]

63. Agree. Plus, he thinks he's a Dem version of Trump

He’s an asshole, knows it, and thinks many Dems think it will require a Trump-like asshole to beat Trump. Even if that’s true, he’s the wrong guy. In a ‘oh hell no,’ kinda way.

[spanone]

18. K&R

Last edited Tue May 27, 2025, 06:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Never did, Never will.

[WiVoter]

19. Ummmm

No

[SunSeeker]

20. K & R

[Greybnk48]

21. I would never vote for him or his dino

agenda. He’s one of those politicians who PUSHED the Democratic Party so far right just to win at all costs. Fuck him.

SI want what Bernie and AOC and Elizabeth Warren and Biden and Harris and Walz are selling. Not capitulating to the point of selling the rights of Unions, Gay people, people of color and women down the river to win. Win what?

[Bohunk68]

76. Hmm, Bernie.

Still got his 2016 sticker on my front door. Him and AOC are drawing large crowds. Not all of us over 80 are senile. Hell, I just got down splitting and stacking two full cords of firewood and going out today and do some more. Although, I am walking like Biden this morning. Rahm has always been more of a right-winger than a Dem.

[people]

23. Yuck!

As mayor of Chicago, he covered up a video for a very long time of a young man being shot in the back by the Chicago Police. The police had lied about the circumstances under which they shot this person. I would never want him to be the democratic nominee.

[Shipwack]

24. I've despised him for a long time.

He kept pulling Obama rightward*, and openly ridiculed progressives.

His take surprises me not at all.

If I never here his name again it will be too soon.

*Of course, Obama had agency. If he didn’t at least partially agree with Rahm on issues Rahm would not have been in the Whitehouse.

[marble falls]

77. Obama consulted with multiple folks of varying stripe. And then he did what he thought was correct thing to do ...

... he was more conservative on some issues than I liked, but what he was, was a good American President.

I heard Hillary suggested that there be a an Obama/Bill Clinton ticket in 2028 that would run for one term.

How about a Hillary Clinton/Barrack Obama ticket instead. Too bad their ages are too far along.

We have Democrats who would win against any Republican I can think of if we'd only get them the press that GOP candidates get.

[k_buddy762]

25. Wasn't he Obama's boy for a while?

I don't remember a lot about him, he is very..... forgettable.

[fujiyamasan]

40. He was Obama's first chief of staff

[proud patriot]

27. agreed

[Ping Tung]

28. Nope.

[Tetrachloride]

29. even more affable than me and Reagan put together

he has my vote

[blogslug]

30. agree

[LilElf70]

32. Rahm? Really?

I don't think I can deal with another electoral loss. If we do not win in 28, I can almost guarantee an authoritarian society. This in turn will almost assure that we won't go back to a democracy for a long, long time. As society sits TODAY, I don't know how many years, and maybe decades, it will take, to undo what damage Trump has already done and will do in the next 3.

Quit pushing Rahm. It's a waste of time. There are much better candidates with great ideas.

[Rebl2]

62. I like

him about as much as James Carville, which isn’t very much. Also he will be in his late sixties by the time he would be president if he were to be elected.

[Scrivener7]

33. Just no.

[mn9driver]

34. Magic eight ball says

Not interested at this time. Try again later.

[Martin68]

35. This is the framing that is being used to continually diss the Democratic Party and excuse or distract from the

Last edited Wed May 28, 2025, 12:28 PM - Edit history (1)

travesties being inflicted on our nation and the world by the Trump administration.

[Skittles]

72. correct

they want us to move more to the right, closer to fascism

FUCK THAT

[traveler50]

36. Absolutely No!

Not interested in anything Rahm Emmanuel has to say.

[returnee]

37. Hate him.

He repulses me.
Would have VERY hard time voting for him under any circumstances.

[Faux pas]

38. He's always been

an asshole 🙄

[reACTIONary]

39. I don't know, I think he's OK. When the time comes....

... I'll give him fair consideration along with those who are also running.

[Nanjeanne]

42. I much prefer the Tim Walz approach...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says Democrats should not abandon defending the rights of transgender people as they figure out how to win again.

The former Democratic nominee for vice president spoke to The Independent about the issue, which became a major weapon in Donald Trump’s campaign ads against former Vice President Kamala Harris.

“It's a mistake,” he insisted. “And here's the thing: we need to tell people your cost of eggs, your health care being denied, your homeowner’s insurance, your lack of getting warning on tornadoes coming has nothing to do with someone's gender.”

In recent months, some Democrats have hinted that Democrats should avoid talking about transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California told Turning Point USA head Charlie Kirk on his podcast that trans participation in women’s sports was “unfair.”

“I think we have to figure out how to not get sucked in and allow that to be the focal point only, and that we can multitask, and we can hold several things simultaneously,” he said.

“We can protect LGBTQ rights and basic human rights at the same time, we can make sure that we hold drug companies accountable for high prices.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tim-walz-trans-rights-democrats-kamala-harris-b2754028.html]

[johnnyplankton]

43. It doesn't mean there's not a kernel of truth in there

I live in Boston and go to the theater multiple times a week. There are/were disingenuous land acknowledgments before each performance by wealthy white people that seem more like virtue signaling. To be more "inclusive," many theaters decided to make their bathrooms all-gender, often with exposed urinals where women can walk by. I don't see how that helped anyone, and even liberal theatergoers complained. Many have reverted to the common-sense practice of having patrons use the bathroom of the sex of which they identify instead of making everybody uncomfortable.

Those things did give people the impression of woke culture. Unfortunately, the result was fascism...

[Nanjeanne]

45. Any theatre that has urinals open where men and women walk by is just insane. Has nothing to do

with gender neutral bathrooms that are completely comfortable and safe and not a problem for any gender. The exist all over the world and in our own homes.

That theater you frequent did something ridiculous. It’s not policy. It’s stupidity.

[johnnyplankton]

46. Harvard University-owned American Repertory Theater, Emerson College's Paramount and Cutler Majestic...

Most of the theaters had the open urinal policy and most have either stopped or made single stall bathrooms. Really tone deaf.

[Nanjeanne]

47. Poor decision and just dumb. But not a reason to have an anti gender neutral bathroom policy or to

confuse stupid design with trans issues.

[johnnyplankton]

48. Not sure what you mean by "teams issues"...

[Nanjeanne]

50. Damn auto correct.

[Clouds Passing]

49. Conservacrat

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. Especially since we did NOT lose the election

?si=oXDSe01oy9qJWvq2


I have PLEADED with people to watch this, and there is a part 2

[bagimin]

69. Heartily recommended

[Nanjeanne]

52. In this climate I doubt he would win a primary.

Neoliberal who has a record of disparaging progressives, the accusations of corruption in his administration, not to mention his disgraceful handling of the Laquan McDonald murder, is not anyone who should be the face of the Democratic Party. In fact, he is a symbol of the very failings Democrats must overcome to build trust and credibility with the public.

[Mustellus]

55. USAFRetired_Liberal .....

.... good to know there's another one. Grins.

[AZProgressive]

57. Recommend

I wont support Emanuel in a primary because of his track record as mayor of Chicago where he's best known for busting teachers unions and covering up the shooting of Laquan McDonald so it is a hard pass for me.

You're right the right says whatever they want when it comes white racist identity politics but Democratic voters rather than politicians are urged to be silent when it comes to backlash against marginalized communities. That is another theme with the Democrats is they want better voters instead of better politicians.

[FakeNoose]

81. This!!!

There's a deafening silence from the Democrats of the Chicagoland area, and much of the Midwest. Does Nancy Pelosi even understand why Rahm Emmanuel isn't the Party's first choice? Maybe not even our 10th choice?

I pledge to support whomever our Party nominates in 2028, but I sure as hell hope it won't be Emmanuel.

[marti]

59. rahm

So true - a great and insightful analysis- Either be a democrat or get out of our way!

[pat_k]

60. That asinine diagnosis is the opposite of reality.

Anat Shenker-Osorio is the clearest voice I have heard on how the Democratic consultant class has been fucking up the party for decades.

She was on the That Trippi Show April 18th, (episode: "If you want to touch a nerve, you have to touch a nerve " )

Joe has has called the episode perhaps the most important episode to date. I absolutely agree and wanted to encourage anyone who missed it to find the time to listen.

And, even more importantly, do whatever you can to help make Anat's Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit the go-to guide for ourselves, our electeds, our community leaders, our state parties, the DNC, 2026 candidates, and any other person or entity committed to reclaiming our government from the bullies and the billionaires they serve. Help ignite American optimism and belief in our own power to build a society and government we can be proud of.

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1s0JbXhND7-1iqABNcUNL031NQLxkLfr-USkCKGZTidI/mobilebasic

[czarjak]

64. Democrats aren't perfect. Republicans are perfect for the rich.

[Buddyzbuddy]

67. Rahm is a DINO, Democrat in name only.

Chicago couldn't get rid of him fast enough. He is what the press refer to as a "centrist". That term is used so it's more easily digestible. But IMHO he's right of center. I think it was Clinton that he advised him to ignore the left wing of the party, it may have been Obama. Either way, he's bad for Democrats.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

68. The Reps push that narrative, the Dems spend little time on this.

I hate to say, but it must be working for them to keep doing it. The trans athlete thing is their favorite topic. Nevermind, as a female athlete, that was the furthest thing from my mind. And since when do Republicans give a crap about female athletes? We were always given second best of everything.

[seta1950]

71. Agreed

I think our party needs to go left, more than anything, enough of the right’s bs

[Pachamama]

73. Do not trust him

Plain and simple. Period.

[lees1975]

75. They ran identity politics commercials and we ran pocketbook issues. And lost.

Hmm. What point are you making with that, exactly?

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

79. My point is

Republicans constantly play up identity politics but somehow Democrats get blamed for focusing on identity politics when they don’t and not focusing on supposedly the issues voters care about like “pocketbook issues” but they actually do

[lees1975]

84. I think sometimes Democrats do get caught up in identify politics and don't focus on the issues voters care about.

I listen every day to WCPT, the progressive talk radio station here in Chicago, mainly because they carry Stephanie Miller and Thom Hartmann, and because their local hosts are top notch. But their programming sometimes has a tendency to drift into identity politics and it loses me. I'm as progressive as they come, when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion, believe people have the right to live their life the way they want, and those are things Democrats stand up for. But sometimes they do get in the way. And they are easily distorted and turned into lies by the other side.

Focusing on the message and controlling the narrative are long time Rahm Emmanuel themes. And he successfully won elected office by that focus.

[returnee]

90. The general population, when surveyed on specific issues...

…are way more progressive than generally thought. I always think of Lawrence Lessig’s statistics showing essentially zero correlation of popular opinion and anything coming out of Congress. That’s ZERO.
We need change all around, and not Emmanuel.

[Prairie_Seagull]

78. If this was a trail baloon,

I just drove over it.

[travelingthrulife]

82. Yes, well said. Particularly tired of the Democrats and media who fall for this.

Republicans will always be liars.

[IbogaProject]

83. Nope his ilk kept us too in the center

And folks like him thought courting racist GOP women would somehow work rather than keep up with public sentiment. The billionaires did their part avoiding having us run on the success of the big spending bills from 21 & 22, which were impaired by not being what Biden originally requested. He wanted 5.5 billion over 10 years and we got maybe mid twos instead. Which was great, it was easy to mention how so many bridges and roads were getting fixed. Those projects injected money into our economy. The child tax credit was solid though only one year, it really boosted our economy. I liked that issue as it was easy to frame against infrastructure was the one thing I had hoped T45 could have done some good, even if it was full of grift, but he never got around to it as it was too hard and he didn't want to make a deal to fix our stuff. We had to make deals to get and keep the Affordable Care Act and for those Biden spending bills. Then I pivoted to othering the wealthy who benefit from the T tax cuts and how they never spend their money quick and rarely locally it just gets shuffled around eventually.

[LittleGirl]

85. I will not support Rahm. full stop. nt

[Balatro]

86. He wants to plead with democrats to not abandon neoliberalism.

It needs to be abandoned. Rahm needs to go away. He did enough damage with Chicago and the destruction of the 50-state strategy.

[quakerboy]

91. Thats what we do.

Ive noticed that we Democrats, as a party are usually more interested in blaming the left than fighting the right.

Id also argue the party was moving right since Carter, at least.