Yes on Rahm never being president (though he should be), yes he should run. On Graham, it's beyond difficult to get over the sycophancy and enabling of Trump and Trumpism, when he knew it was wrong, but opted as so many other Rs have, to put aside their moral revulsion, in favor of keeping their jobs. Very difficult to get over that.
Joe -- I've been saying for months now that Rahm is the best person for the job. (Been saying it to my wife, son, a few others, so not having a big effect!). I agree with those that say he's not electable (Jewish, funny name, combative personality, although he's much improved on that account.) He's liberal; not doctrinaire. Is there anyone more prepared for the job, given his CV. That's not a question. If voters would listen to him and not judge the book my its cover, they would see what you and I see. -- John Christie. Ps. I bet this great work you are doing has killed the golf game!
I am a conservative but believe Rahm would be an excellent candidate. I would have no problem to vote for him, especially after this disastrous Trump debacle.
I have also told my liberal friends the same thing.
As an aside they seem to be favoring Newsom who I believe is unelectable.
I agree we might see a woman president before a Jew. Unfortunately Elissa Slotkin is Jewish, so she will not get support from the left. So many good potential candidates now who will be held back by antisemitism.
I agree. Rahm is the best Democrats have on offer. He can win in swing states by attracting those Republicans who have soured on Trump along with disillusioned Dems. I hear people arguing that progressives will stay home. But the data suggest this is wrong. What progressive candidates do is maximize turnout on the right not on the left. What to some may sound abrasive to others will sound bold and authentic. His problem will be the primary. Time for Democrats to wake up to the fact that you can’t win a national election as a democratic socialist. And if you can’t win, virtually nothing else matters.
Rahm Emmanuel is out and away my preferred candidate to become the next President of the United States. Nor can I think of anyone else who comes remotely close.
He is smart and expresses well-informed, clearly stated views on a broad range of topics. His articles in the Wall Street Journal have won not only my respect, but my curiosity. He has interesting things to say.
He does not dodge or waffle, but instead offers creative policy proposals that would likely promote peace and prosperity at home and abroad. He responds substantively and directly to questions, addresses topical issues as they arise, and speaks to all kinds of audiences.
So far as I can tell, he has mettle: he seems "tough" and has demonstrated real courage by taking strong stands on controversial matters. He seems to be a fundamentally decent person. His politics are "liberal" in the classical sense of the term.
Is he a natural leader of men? I have no idea. But he has certainly won my respect.
As for his demography, he is an American, born and raised, and older than 35. He can therefore serve as President. His ethnic background and religion should be an interesting aside, or perhaps part of an inspiring personal history. It certainly should not determine whether he can win an elective office. But of course it will, at least among Democrats. Shame on them. That is profoundly un-American of them.
I therefore believe he can play a far more useful role as a leading figure in a new, polyglot party of pragmatic centrists, whose immediate aim should be to elect enough members of Congress to check and restrain both MAGA Republicans and progressive Democrats. Even if the effort fails, someone must begin it, or else the country is lost, if it is not already too late.
Rahm should run if only to allow a Slotkin (or Shapiro or Spanberger) to establish themselves as a bridge between his "call it what it is" brand and the very crowded left lane. And in a perfect world, may he become either Secretary of State or (equally important by 2029) Secretary of Education. God knows in three years that education in the US will be a pile of rubble in need of reconstruction from the ground up.
My one problem with Rahm is his use of the word "we". "We" did not rename Abraham Lincoln High School - some nuts in the Bay Area did (and shame on Gavin Newsome for letting it occur on his watch). Only a small slice of "we" came out against the cops, and only a small (but admittedly vocal) percentage cheered the atrocities of October 7th. That the people in NYC elected one of those who cheered to the House is to their everlasting shame, but let us recognize they represent a witheringly small minority.
That said, if the Israeli people are not going to respond to Rahm Emanual speaking truth to power, their country is doomed. I have a nephew who confidently asserts that Israel is going to be wiped off the face of the earth -and I want to tell him he's wrong. But the path that Netanyahu is leading them down is immeasurably dangerous and those of us who live by the words "Never Again" are rapidly coming to the end of our time here. Resentment and division have already brought the Jews centuries of woe, may they wake up before Masada falls again.
Thank you for the wonderful, article. Rob Emmanuel I listened to chat with SE CUPP on her podcast. I truly enjoyed what he had to say. The problem is that with many people. They have a tendency to hero worship not realizing like you and I do they are fallible human beings. I also like Andy Beshear.
Cupp is a serious analyst. Beshear will certainly be in the running but is he tough enough?
That said it is my view that the bench is thin on the Democratic side. I despise Trump even beyond him being a certifiable lunatic and voted for Harris, which was the first time to vote Dem since 1976. But that was of no consequence since I am in a solid red state. No bravery on my part.
The thing going for the Dems is the stench of the Trump era.
Anything is possible. I would not bet on anyone at this time.
Lots of people would vote for Rahm (even former Republicans who would have thought you were off your rocker had that been said 15 years ago). He’s exactly who we need in 2028. Let’s not make our forecast of his electoral defeat self-fulfilling. Don’t count him out.
Joe: I agree that Rahm’s efforts in Israel to raise real issues that, if ignored, will cost Israel dearly not only on the world stage but in the US, to be of great import. However, I found a recent article in Haaretz (“Israel Has Seen Extremists in High Office. But Nothing Like Netanyahu's Shin Bet Pick”) regarding Netanyahu’s appointment of David Zini to head the Shin Bet terrifying, and leaves me wondering whether it is too late for the Country I grew up loving and admiring to find its way back. Whatever hopes Palestinians may have had for finding a peaceful way to co-exist with Israel are shattered, and one must wonder if there are any peaceful options left.
I’m with you there, Fred. Let’s see what happens in the fall elections. Meanwhile, I’m reading Lawrence Wright’s novel The Human Scale…which is set in Hebron and is excellent. Hope you’re well.
Yes on Rahm never being president (though he should be), yes he should run. On Graham, it's beyond difficult to get over the sycophancy and enabling of Trump and Trumpism, when he knew it was wrong, but opted as so many other Rs have, to put aside their moral revulsion, in favor of keeping their jobs. Very difficult to get over that.
Joe -- I've been saying for months now that Rahm is the best person for the job. (Been saying it to my wife, son, a few others, so not having a big effect!). I agree with those that say he's not electable (Jewish, funny name, combative personality, although he's much improved on that account.) He's liberal; not doctrinaire. Is there anyone more prepared for the job, given his CV. That's not a question. If voters would listen to him and not judge the book my its cover, they would see what you and I see. -- John Christie. Ps. I bet this great work you are doing has killed the golf game!
I am a conservative but believe Rahm would be an excellent candidate. I would have no problem to vote for him, especially after this disastrous Trump debacle.
I have also told my liberal friends the same thing.
As an aside they seem to be favoring Newsom who I believe is unelectable.
I agree we might see a woman president before a Jew. Unfortunately Elissa Slotkin is Jewish, so she will not get support from the left. So many good potential candidates now who will be held back by antisemitism.
I agree. Rahm is the best Democrats have on offer. He can win in swing states by attracting those Republicans who have soured on Trump along with disillusioned Dems. I hear people arguing that progressives will stay home. But the data suggest this is wrong. What progressive candidates do is maximize turnout on the right not on the left. What to some may sound abrasive to others will sound bold and authentic. His problem will be the primary. Time for Democrats to wake up to the fact that you can’t win a national election as a democratic socialist. And if you can’t win, virtually nothing else matters.
Belle--OK if I use parts of this in a future Sanity Clause?
Agree.
Rahm Emmanuel is out and away my preferred candidate to become the next President of the United States. Nor can I think of anyone else who comes remotely close.
He is smart and expresses well-informed, clearly stated views on a broad range of topics. His articles in the Wall Street Journal have won not only my respect, but my curiosity. He has interesting things to say.
He does not dodge or waffle, but instead offers creative policy proposals that would likely promote peace and prosperity at home and abroad. He responds substantively and directly to questions, addresses topical issues as they arise, and speaks to all kinds of audiences.
So far as I can tell, he has mettle: he seems "tough" and has demonstrated real courage by taking strong stands on controversial matters. He seems to be a fundamentally decent person. His politics are "liberal" in the classical sense of the term.
Is he a natural leader of men? I have no idea. But he has certainly won my respect.
As for his demography, he is an American, born and raised, and older than 35. He can therefore serve as President. His ethnic background and religion should be an interesting aside, or perhaps part of an inspiring personal history. It certainly should not determine whether he can win an elective office. But of course it will, at least among Democrats. Shame on them. That is profoundly un-American of them.
I therefore believe he can play a far more useful role as a leading figure in a new, polyglot party of pragmatic centrists, whose immediate aim should be to elect enough members of Congress to check and restrain both MAGA Republicans and progressive Democrats. Even if the effort fails, someone must begin it, or else the country is lost, if it is not already too late.
Rahm should run if only to allow a Slotkin (or Shapiro or Spanberger) to establish themselves as a bridge between his "call it what it is" brand and the very crowded left lane. And in a perfect world, may he become either Secretary of State or (equally important by 2029) Secretary of Education. God knows in three years that education in the US will be a pile of rubble in need of reconstruction from the ground up.
My one problem with Rahm is his use of the word "we". "We" did not rename Abraham Lincoln High School - some nuts in the Bay Area did (and shame on Gavin Newsome for letting it occur on his watch). Only a small slice of "we" came out against the cops, and only a small (but admittedly vocal) percentage cheered the atrocities of October 7th. That the people in NYC elected one of those who cheered to the House is to their everlasting shame, but let us recognize they represent a witheringly small minority.
That said, if the Israeli people are not going to respond to Rahm Emanual speaking truth to power, their country is doomed. I have a nephew who confidently asserts that Israel is going to be wiped off the face of the earth -and I want to tell him he's wrong. But the path that Netanyahu is leading them down is immeasurably dangerous and those of us who live by the words "Never Again" are rapidly coming to the end of our time here. Resentment and division have already brought the Jews centuries of woe, may they wake up before Masada falls again.
Thank you for the wonderful, article. Rob Emmanuel I listened to chat with SE CUPP on her podcast. I truly enjoyed what he had to say. The problem is that with many people. They have a tendency to hero worship not realizing like you and I do they are fallible human beings. I also like Andy Beshear.
Cupp is a serious analyst. Beshear will certainly be in the running but is he tough enough?
That said it is my view that the bench is thin on the Democratic side. I despise Trump even beyond him being a certifiable lunatic and voted for Harris, which was the first time to vote Dem since 1976. But that was of no consequence since I am in a solid red state. No bravery on my part.
The thing going for the Dems is the stench of the Trump era.
Anything is possible. I would not bet on anyone at this time.
Lots of people would vote for Rahm (even former Republicans who would have thought you were off your rocker had that been said 15 years ago). He’s exactly who we need in 2028. Let’s not make our forecast of his electoral defeat self-fulfilling. Don’t count him out.
https://americanideologue.substack.com/p/open-letter-to-rahm-emanuel
Joe: I agree that Rahm’s efforts in Israel to raise real issues that, if ignored, will cost Israel dearly not only on the world stage but in the US, to be of great import. However, I found a recent article in Haaretz (“Israel Has Seen Extremists in High Office. But Nothing Like Netanyahu's Shin Bet Pick”) regarding Netanyahu’s appointment of David Zini to head the Shin Bet terrifying, and leaves me wondering whether it is too late for the Country I grew up loving and admiring to find its way back. Whatever hopes Palestinians may have had for finding a peaceful way to co-exist with Israel are shattered, and one must wonder if there are any peaceful options left.
Fred Eisenbud
I’m with you there, Fred. Let’s see what happens in the fall elections. Meanwhile, I’m reading Lawrence Wright’s novel The Human Scale…which is set in Hebron and is excellent. Hope you’re well.