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* Despite the goofy cover flap, there are a whole lot of interesting and worthwhile items in Ryan Lizza’s New Yorker profile of Barack Obama. The played to death poker game anecdotes are, thankfully, given short shrift and some new ground is uncovered.
There are still some big holes in this piece. It begins with some unkind words from Chicago Ald. Tony Preckwinkle and then attempts to analyze why she’s not so enamored with her former protege these days…
Others told me that Preckwinkle’s grievances against Obama included specific complaints, such as his refusal to endorse a former aide and longtime friend, Will Burns, in a State Senate primary—a contest that Burns won anyway.
It’s never mentioned, but Obama wanted Will Burns appointed to his state Senate seat when he was elected to the US Senate. Preckwinkle, instead, chose Kwame Raoul. I think the divisiveness has more to do with Obama becoming an Emil Jones ally. Preckwinkle had some harsh words for Jones back when the state Senate seat was vacant and Jones was claiming he could muscle Burns into the slot.
Also never mentioned is that Obama decided not to officially endorse Burns this year for the House seat because Congresscritter Jesse Jackson, Jr. was supporting somebody else in the primary race and worked hard to keep Obama out. Jackson was organizing North Carolina at the time, so Obama was in a bit of a bind.
* One again, Rahm Emanuel claims that Obama played a much bigger role in Rod Blagojevich’s first campaign than any of us imagined at the time…
Rahm Emanuel, a congressman from Chicago and a friend of Obama’s, told me that he, Obama, David Wilhelm, who was Blagojevich’s campaign co-chair, and another Blagojevich aide were the top strategists of Blagojevich’s victory. He and Obama “participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor,” Emanuel said. “We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two.” A spokesman for Blagojevich confirmed Emanuel’s account, although David Wilhelm, who now works for Obama, said that Emanuel had overstated Obama’s role. “There was an advisory council that was inclusive of Rahm and Barack but not limited to them,” Wilhelm said, and he disputed the notion that Obama was “an architect or one of the principal strategists.”
Somebody ought to ask Obama about this. I’ll send off a request and see if I get a response.
* David Axelrod, Obama’s media guru, explains why he took a pass on the Blagojevich campaign…
David Axelrod, the preëminent strategist in the state, declined to work for Blagojevich. “He had been my client and I had a very good relationship with him, but I didn’t sign on to the governor’s race,” Axelrod said. “Obviously he won, but I had concerns about it. . . . I was concerned about whether he was ready for that. Not so much for the race but for governing. I was concerned about some of the folks—I was concerned about how the race was being approached.”
Prescience or revisionism?
* Senate President Emil Jones explains why his endorsement of Obama was so important in the 2004 US Senate primary, and it’s pretty insightful…
“The Mayor of Chicago and the father of Dan Hynes”—one of Obama’s primary opponents—“when they were both state senators they shared an apartment together in Springfield, so there’s a relationship between those two. And the Governor? One of his chief financial supporters in his first run was also in the race. I work with both the Mayor and the Governor, so, by my jumping in strong behind Barack Obama, they didn’t want to alienate me and have me upset with them, so they stayed out of the race.”
* Related…
* Obama, at fund-raiser in Newport Beach, Calif. takes one sip of a Mimosa
*** UPDATE *** I finally got around to e-mailing the Obama campaign about the Blagojevich campaign meetings. First, these meetings were held during the fall election, not the primary (Obama endorsed Roland Burris in the primary). Now, the response…
He attended a few meetings – one was a briefing for legislators. He played the same role in electing a Democratic governor that other Democratic members of the General Assembly did.
I’ve talked to some others who were at a few of those meetings. From what I can gather so far, Congressman Emanuel is overplaying their significance.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:01 am
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With Axelrod I would say prescience. He is a pretty sharp guy, and he gave up a a chunk of buisness and influence by not running the campaign. I think he is understating his concerns.
As for Jones, his statement reveals some of the hidden craftiness I think a lot of people do not see in him. Jones may speak simply, but never make the mistake of thinking him simple.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:21 am
===Jones may speak simply, but never make the mistake of thinking him simple.===
That is exactly right. Too many people look at the color of his skin or hear the way he talks and assume he’s not all that bright. They do so at their peril.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:22 am
Rich,
What is up with your spell/grammer check this article on obama is full of miss spellings?
Comment by anon Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:39 am
Lot of good stuff here. The main revelation, from a national perspective, is that Obama is a shrewd, calculating, ambitious man. Quite shocking considering that he came out of nowhere to raise $250 million and roll the Clinton Machine!
In the short-term, I think it’s the start of a major re-evaluation of Obama by the Powers That Be prior to the convention. The mantra will be: “What do we really know about him?”
Random thoughts:
– Toni Preckwinkle will never be nicknamed “The Happy Warrior.”
–The South Side community is far from monolithic. There’s a new generation coming and some of the old-timers don’t like it. Emil seems to be the one who saw it coming when he promoted Obama.
–Axelrod threw Rod under the bus.
–Memo from Barack to Rahm: Ixnay on the AgoBlay connection.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:44 am
Word I think Obama has been groomed for a long time by the powers that be for the presidency. It will be interesting to see if Obama continues to play with them or breaks off on his own once he achieves the goal.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:46 am
Rahm exagerates his own role and the role of the group of “strategists”. They met and made suggestions but they, except for Wilhelm, had no role in the decision making. Strategy decisions were all made by another very close knit group.
Rahm was too busy at the time being a punk for the Clintons to have played any kind of maajor role.
Comment by Bill Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:52 am
Ghost, by Powers That Be, I was referring to the national media — New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, WSJ, CBS, etc. — as they were referenced in the David Halbestram classic.
They aren’t what they used to be, but they’ll still play a role in shaping perception this election.
Might be worth a re-read to appreciate how different the media landscape is now.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:59 am
Attached is a line to a Washington Post article on a similar topic.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/1
3/AR2008071301904.html
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:03 am
Maybe Jones’ memory is better than mine, but City Hall DID back Dan Hynes, and Blagojevich DID back Blair Hull.
If I’m not mistaken, the notion that Jones somehow neutralized Rod and the Mayor is a little self-aggrandizing.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:12 am
Not openly, or aggressively.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:13 am
You don’t get to Jones’ position by being stupid.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:17 am
–Prescience or revisionism?–
Pure revisionism. Does anyone doubt for a second that the same thing would not have been said if Rod’s approval ratings were different? This is Axelrod attempting to help distance himself and the campaign from a toxic Governor.
If he really felt that way, why did his firm write a $1,500 check to RRB’s campaign fund in June of 2004? Why support his reelection if you had concerns about his governing style? What changed in those two years?
Rich, I hope you and others continue to ask about his close connections to and previous endorsement of the current Governor. I have seen that Wilhelm has already been quoted somewhere, claiming that Rep. Emanuel exagerated his and Obama’s role in the campaign. Either way, keep pressing and lets get Obama to comment on the sorry state affairs in our state. A state of affairs, I might add, that Obama helped create and has yet to do anything about.
Comment by Bud Man Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:20 am
I believe the Mayor sat out the Senate race but John Daley was the co-chair of Dan Hynes campaign, along with John Stroger.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:22 am
This was pretty awesome too:
HENDON: Senator, could you correctly pronounce your name for me? I’m having a little trouble with it.
OBAMA: Obama.
HENDON: Is that Irish?
OBAMA: It will be when I run countywide.
HENDON: That was a good joke, but this bill’s still going to die. This directory, would that have those 1-800 sex line numbers in this directory?
OBAMA: I apologize. I wasn’t paying Senator Hendon any attention.
HENDON: Well, clearly, as poorly as this legislation is drafted, you didn’t pay it much attention either. My question was: Are the 1-800 sex line numbers going to be in this directory?
OBAMA: Not—not—basically this idea comes out of the South Side community colleges. I don’t know what you’re doing on the West Side community colleges. But we probably won’t be including that in our directory for the students.
HENDON: . . . Let me just say this, and to the bill: I seem to remember a very lovely Senator by the name of Palmer—much easier to pronounce than Obama—and she always had cookies and nice things to say, and you don’t have anything to give us around your desk. How do you expect to get votes? And—and you don’t even wear nice perfume like Senator Palmer did. . . . I’m missing Senator Palmer because of these weak replacements with these tired bills that makes absolutely no sense. I . . . I definitely urge a No vote. Whatever your name is.
Comment by is that irish? Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:27 am
That was a first bill hazing. I’ve heard much, much worse.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:31 am
hendon says worse at church Im Sure. But he is a ladys man
Comment by fed up Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:50 am
is that irish?,
Please tell me that is a spoof and that conversation ndid not really happen.
Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:55 am
Bill
===Strategy decisions were all made by another very close knit group.==
Give us the straight dope, Bill. Not just hints.
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 12:11 pm
I read the entire article, which is a haul. It appears to be very well researched and balanced. The article addresses a number of questions regarding this guy. There appears to be some amazing omissions normally found in these types of presidential nominee portraits; a focus on accomplishments or a battle over mission.
Obama is not presented as mission-focused. This articles instead presents Obama as a political animal, not as an accomplished legislator. So, this is appealing to political junkies or journalists, but it is not very appealing to those of us who expect politicians to actually do something. Instead we see Obama working only towards his next political position successfully. While there is some excitement in recognizing Obama’s political skills, when were these skills used for us? What has he accomplished except political success for himself?
While I recognize that being elected is the first step towards doing good work for constituents, the purpose of the election is to get the work done, isn’t it? We don’t see this with Obama in this article. It is all about his political mission, not ours. This is a problem with politicians eyeing the next higher political office. This is a problem with Obama’s claims. Instead of gaining experience and proving his mettle, Obama plots his next campaign and doesn’t finish a job.
He didn’t get to where he is by accident. He is obviously a shrewd Chicago politician. That may be admirable to some, but political ambition is useless to us without accomplishments or experience.
If he planned all along to run for president, why didn’t he show us how capable he was by using the majority status and clout the Democrats have in the US Senate and working? Where is the leadership we would expect to see? We don’t even see him try.
If Democrats don’t want voters to dwell on silly minutae during this campaign, and wish to achieve a mandate for change, why couldn’t they get a candidate that demonstrated change? Instead we are being forced to read articles like this that dwell on his political accomplishments during state senate primaries, read articles about his lifestyle, name, religion, and other issues that should matter little.
We cannot talk about Obama’s accomplishments or experience because he doesn’t have much of either. Instead we read articles like this one. Although it seems to be a professionally written article, it doesn’t tell me what Barack Obama has done that indicates an ability to be president, only an ability to get elected to offices.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 12:12 pm
first bill hazing. I’ve heard much, much worse.
That was pretty good, I’d hate to be on the wrong end of “worse”
Comment by Pat collins Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 12:23 pm
The rumor I heard was that Axelrod also took a pass on Blago’s initial campaign because he didn’t think Blago could win, and he told him so, to his face. But I never heard the reasons why, and certainly Axelrod may have also had reservations about Blago’s fitness for governing.
Comment by ZC Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 12:52 pm
to the new yorker cover—lisa madigan’s husband’s cartoons regularly appear in the new yorker—be interesting to see how she feels about their editorial judgment.
Comment by publius Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:14 pm
this article is a turning point in the election…no wonder the polls are so close between McCain and Obama…as a former HRC supporter,I still beleive Hillary was more experienced in the ways of DC and how to navigate the shark infested waters than Obama is…I beleive that a very racially charged backlash is going to be promulgated by the GOP and it’s minions as the election grows nearer…negative campaigning is used ‘cuz it works…gird yourselves folks, we’re in for a bumpy ride until Nov. 4th…
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:40 pm
I doubt it’s a turning point. And if HRC had received the nod, an anti woman prez backlash would’ve buit aa well. Six of one…
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:42 pm
A reminder, too much attention to any McCain-Obama polls in July is misguided.
What do John Kerry, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Mike Dukakis and Hubert Humphrey all have in common? They were all leading in Gallup polls taken in early or mid-July, in elections where they went on to lose the popular vote.
People just aren’t paying much attention to the race right now, which is their American right.
Comment by ZC Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:54 pm
===A reminder, too much attention to any McCain-Obama polls in July is misguided.===
Pay zero attention to preznit polls until after both conventions have concluded.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 1:55 pm
good points as per usual Rich, still, I think this election will go down to the wire……I hate polling, it’s more of a way for certain political consultants to make money than to predict outcomes…it does however help candidates to strategize…
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 2:26 pm
I am not very familair with Emanuel, is he just trying to make his role in Govt larger or to make it look liek he has more juice? Seems like for a friend of Obama he is doing Obama more harm then good.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:02 pm
Yes.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:05 pm
==He attended a few meetings – one was a briefing for legislators. He played the same role in electing a Democratic governor that other Democratic members of the General Assembly did. ==
Interpretation: Let’s pretend he did the right thing, if he did anything, that is.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:37 pm
Seems like for a friend of Obama he is doing Obama more harm then good.
Well, if I may spin a conspiracy theory, I will note:
1) this was the NEW YORKER magazine.
2) Rahm E. was a Clintonista, and it seems to have done him very well to have been one
3) What is HRC’s ONLY hope for the White House? McCain being sworn in in Jan 09.
Comment by Pat collins Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:37 pm
And I think Emanuel once drove a New Yorker!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 3:42 pm
Take this for what it’s worth, but Rahm is exaggerating and Axelrod is rewriting history.
The campaign had a meeting every sunday night at 7pm so that VIP’s could come in and “give and receive input” but it was mostly a charade to handhold high maintenace people. Wilhelm would chair it and there would be a top staff person, but come the next morning that would be the end of that. It was a way to make people feel important and invested but that’s about it.
Axelrod had several clients that were considering a run very early on (Blago, Devine, etc.) and was getting questions about who he would be with very early in 2001 and he voluntarily took himself out of the race before the field even took shape. It wasn’t that he was worried about Blagojevich, he just had too many conflicts. Someone with a Nexis account could easily verify this.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 5:35 pm
VM, there’s no interpretation - it’s a fact. Rahm overstated his and Barack’s role. But it never happened that way. These were briefing sessions for legislators. Not strategy sessions. Barack had no more role in the general election of Rod Blagojevich than any other Dem legislator. It’s a shame Rahm sees the need to feed his own ego at the expense of Barack.
Comment by DaveChgo Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 5:51 pm
National polls are useless, the election comes down to about 5-7states and that is all that will matter.
Comment by fed up Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 6:29 pm
I’m a huge Obama supporter - and I’m certainly not shocked that he could be accurately portrayed as “shrewd, calculating, and ambitious.” Ho-Hum.
As far as I know, most politicans comepeting for high office can be similarly characterized. They are all “saints and sinners”. Obama simply is more charimatic, articulate, and intellignet than many others - an exceptionally able politician.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 7:15 pm
May the Lord of Political Correctness forgive me, the cover is brilliant.
Perfect, actually. It takes every boogey-man and disposes of them with all the respect that they deserve.
The best cure for ignorance is to laugh in it’s face. Well done.
We’re still in America, right?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 9:41 pm
Rahm’s comments about Barack are curious. But make no mistake: He’s money, and is going to be a big makker in the next Congress.
The dude made millions in two years between the Clinton’s and Congress. A serious man with really no place to go. Dangerous.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 9:57 pm