Is E. Rahm Tough Enough?

You Tell Me.

Emanuel once mailed a pollster a big dead fish. Enraged by disloyal Democrats during Bill Clinton’s first presidential run, he blew away dinner guest by calling out the names of the offenders, punctuating each name by shouting, “Dead.” and stabbing the restaurant table with a dinner knife.

Once he summoned a reporter to his office, shut the door and yelled at him like he was the Chief of Police in a bad Cop Movie. Each sentence was filled with profanity that would make a drunken sailor proud. His face was beet-red. At one point, he suddenly stopped, jumped out of his chair and whipped the door open. He then delivered the coup de grâce, declaring “And, dear sir, the horse you road in on.” , loud enough for people in the Outer office to hear.

As far as getting things done. There’s not much doubt about that. Some people may not like how, but by golly it gets done. Here’s what some Washington people have to say:

“He is competitive, hardworking, hard-charging and street smart, … At the end of the day, you send him to get a mission done, he’ll get it done.” -Rep. Thomas Reynolds (NY), who ran the Republicans’ House election committee in 2006 while Emanuel ran the Democratic counterpart.

“He is the perfect choice. He knows the Hill, he knows substance, he knows politics, and most importantly, he can get the job done.” – Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y

“Rahm knows Capitol Hill and has great political skills … He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together.” - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

“No one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel” President-Elect Obama

That common theme of getting things done is going to be vital during the upcoming presidency. We are facing so many problems right now that taking immediate action about some of them is imperative. Rahm seems to understand this.

“We often disagree, but I respect their motives,” Emanuel said. “Now is a time for unity, and, Mr. President-elect, I will do everything in my power to help you stitch together the frayed fabric of our politics, and help summon Americans of both parties to unite in common purpose.”

For the last two years, Emanuel and Rep. Ray LaHood, (R-IL), have put on dinners for small groups of lawmakers from both parties.

“These intimate, yet no-holds-barred dinners have underscored something that I believe is very important for a functional Congress: To get things done on Capitol Hill, one must work in a bipartisan manner,” LaHood said. “Rahm Emanuel shares that belief.”

That’s what Washington needs right now…One Big Dinner Party

Some of the Rumored Guests at the Party:

James Jones was being discussed as secretary of state
former Secretary of State Colin Powell interested in becoming education secretary.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel(R)
Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar(R)
and I definately wouldn’t count out Warren Buffet.

Here’s my personal favorite part. Ari from “Entourage” is based on his Brother Ari, an agent in Hollywood. Gotta love that!

~Casper