Rahm Reaches Out to Republicans
EmailABC News’ Matt Jaffe reports:
President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel came to Capitol Hill Thursday, delivering a bipartisan message to top Republican lawmakers to come together to solve the current economic crisis, as well as the country’s other challenges.
"In these challenging times, economically, the middle class are working harder, earning less and paying more and the problems facing and the challenges facing the country require that people of both parties work together to solve those problems," Emanuel said following a meeting with Senate Republicans.
"We would like to welcome their ideas on a host of fronts — be that in the area of education, health care, taxes, energy policy, national security. You know, give us those ideas as we are formulating what we’re going to do in the Obama administration," he said.
Emanuel, who conducted the meetings under Obama’s direction, noted that he had enjoyed a "very good meeting" with Senate GOP leaders that lasted about half an hour. The future chief of staff then crossed over Capitol Hill to talk to two prominent House Republicans, Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana and new House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia.
"President-elect Obama has repeatedly said the challenges for the country are large, the problems we face are of a serious magnititude, that there is enough area and enough good will for ideas from both parties to solve those challenges," Emanuel added.
Obama sent a bipartisan signal himself when he met with his former rival for the presidency, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Chicago Monday. Emanuel also attended the meeting, along with McCain’s friend and colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
- Matt Jaffe
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Good start. I look forward to the new administration. Can’t wait for Bush to go home.
Posted by: Phil | November 20, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
This means absolutely nothing. words do not equal actions. We’ll have to wait and see if Rahm actually means he cares about Republican input. But it’s more likely that he’ll send them a dead fish.
Posted by: Lyndsi | November 20, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Looks like their trying to get something done.
Posted by: TV | November 20, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it’s laid to rest
It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
Posted by: Deep Release | November 20, 2008, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
Great choice on Rahm President elect Obama, now Rahm do your thing lay your Smack down on those I dont care do nothing Republicans,Better be in good Bipartianship repubs we wouldnt want to make Rahm angry!!
Posted by: ANGIE | November 20, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Get rid of the illegals in the country and 3 out of 5 problems listed will get a nice boost.
Posted by: Jess | November 20, 2008, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm
Maybe the Republicans should learn to just vote “Present” and let the ax fall.
Posted by: Mike | November 20, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
Lyndsi,
After eight years of mess, the Obama Administration is trying to allow for bipartisanship to take its place in allowing suggestions and ideas to help improve, as well as, confront the impending challenges. No, the O Admin. can’t fix it all, especially not in 4 yrs, but rest assure that they will do much better than what the B Admin. tried to do. Although Obama can be so upset with the Repub. party (& some of the Dems. who didn’t help either), he chose to be bigger than that by demonstrating exceptional & quality leadership, especially before he takes office in January. Go President-elect Obama & First Lady Michelle!
Posted by: devon | November 20, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
“Get rid of the illegals”? LOL, they are the ones propping up our economy, largely since they do everything in cash and have a savings rate much higher than average Americans and they also pay their bills better than average Americans. Illegals are the hardest workers in this country.
Posted by: Jeff | November 20, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
“This means absolutely nothing. words do not equal actions. We’ll have to wait and see if Rahm actually means he cares about Republican input. But it’s more likely that he’ll send them a dead fish.
Posted by: Lyndsi”
——————–
Nice “glass is half-empty” attitude there.
That’s exactly what’s wrong with this country, that type of negativity and automatically assuming the worst.
Posted by: JMGinPDX | November 20, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
@Deep Release—that’s what we need a whole lot more of. thanks.
Posted by: Paul Wall | November 20, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
could they actually be trying to do something? i guess we’ll have to wait to see if they change after a few months in power and with the more partisan and ideological house republicans. i so wish we get something done…i think im a little too cynical, although quite well predisposed towards obama right now.
Posted by: rightwingnutz | November 20, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
Sending someone a dead fish is like the Mafia. I dont think Rahm will be doing that under the Obama administration. Be optimistic for once
Posted by: vuzous | November 20, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
If we keep screaming that the republicans will go away, they will get madder and madder, turn redder and redder and scream more hatred that sanked them in the election. That will surely put them under for good. In short, I think the olive branch should only be extended AFTER they realize they lost because their behavior doesn’t meet the civilized smell test.
Posted by: Common Sense | November 20, 2008, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
The Republicans dont seem to be as big an obstacle to Obama’s agenda as the House democrats. When will they ever agree on something. For two years they did nothing. Looks like they are going to finish this session in typical fashion and pass everything on to the 111th Congress.
Posted by: Dog | November 20, 2008, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Everyone I know is liquidating their portfolios, storing two years worth of food and water, and buying guns for the inevitable deflation when money becomes worthless. I wish BO luck. One thing the voters did not understand was simple statistics. More than 50% of the populace is not paying any taxes including immigrants. The nation is bankrupt. Face it people. The CEOs on Wall St. pay zero ’cause they have good lawyers like Rahm. He made $16 million in 4 years and I bet he paid nothing in taxes. This country is so over.
Posted by: Margo in Virginia | November 20, 2008, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
Obama has done nothing but break his campaign promise of bipartisan politics with these tentative leftist illuminati cabinet selections. If he is breaking promises this soon, what do we have to look forward to for the next four years?
Posted by: Jeff | November 20, 2008, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
as i read some of these comments,i have to wonder if some of you will still feel the way you do about things.the stock markethas been predicted to crash on’Os” watch.also there are 55,000 people losing theirjobs during the first months of 2009.the auto-makers may have to lay off a lot of workers to add to the woeswe have allready.
Posted by: SC SUPERMAN | November 20, 2008, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
we are expected to have this economy through most of “Os first 4yrs.i think he is in shock ” at the over-all situration that he will in-herit when bush leaves.and his picks so far indicate”politics as usual”.with economy the way it is and getting worse the “O administration bears watching by all americans,all he has done so far does not show”CHANGE.merely more of the same.
Posted by: SC SUPERMAN | November 20, 2008, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
IF ONE JUST VOTES “PRESENT” ALL THAT DOES IS COPY THE ACTIONS OF OUR PRES-ELECT.HE DID THIS 96 TIMES AND ITS ON RECORD.
Posted by: SC SUPERMAN | November 20, 2008, 11:25 pm 11:25 pm
guess i will have to join the crowd,get those small stocks gone and arm up,and get ready to protect what little i have left,before the gov trys to take it from me.
Posted by: SC SUPERMAN | November 20, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
MARGO: Rahm didn’t pay property taxes; you’re on target; Chasec it out!
Posted by: tom beebe | November 21, 2008, 8:25 am 8:25 am
REAL nonpartisan inclusive US government under Obama instead of the divisive hate politics of Bush. Pinch me, I must be dreaming after 8 nightmare years.
Posted by: buzziea | November 22, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
SC Superman…..you are aware that ‘W’ is still president, and all the problems you attempt to attribute to Obama are happening under Bush’s watch?
Unemployment is surging NOW!
The stock market is crashing NOW, and has been undergoing a prolonged crash for some time NOW!
Manufacturing jobs, including those associated with the automobile industry, have been eroding for years and this trend is accelerating NOW.
This mess cannot be attributed to Obama. He needs to be given a chnace to take responsiblity and assume a role of leadership before we can blame him for our problems.
And let’s be clear about the CURRENT dismal state of the nation. It has developed under the watch of an incompetent president whose ‘values’ were not able to compensate for the fact that he was intellectually unprepared to lead this country.
Posted by: Jordan Williams | November 23, 2008, 11:10 am 11:10 am
The Dems could get Bush to sign anything if they would pass Colombia Free Trade. Why?
… Because then they could get a war started in South America. Export weapons and noone watching(machine tools!). Iran-Contra all over again, and Obama gets the blame.
Posted by: Lloyd | November 23, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Whatever happened to the corporate rating agencies that supposedly have all this insight into what these Wall St. giants are worth? How much American workers production has gone into GM and the others to build factories in China, India, Brazil, etc?
Oh Noooo!!! They will not repatriate 5 cents to reinvest in America.
Everyone better remember…there is no place for patiotism or ethics on a balance sheet and until there is these CEO’s are global entrepreneurs, not American economic patrons.
Posted by: Lloyd | November 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
at least obama n his party r putting on an act for the people and showing he does care. it may not be true that he cares for the republicans ideas but at least he is trying to fix the problems we have unlike bush who didn’t do anything and let the government destroy everyone else. But we still shouldn’t compare obama to bush because if we do will expect very little from him then what our nation needs. I say stop all the lie ing stop kissing up and say wat u mean, if they don’t agree too bad your in charge unless they have a strong argument to why they think its wrong don’t back up from ur first decision after it’s thoroughly thought out.
Posted by: caroline | November 23, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
People will be affected by Obama’s party decision of allowing republicans to contribute in the ideas of governing the U.S. Mainly because the two party’s will be contradicting each other on every decision being made. No progress will come from the government and the citizens of America will have to solve the hard problems the U.S faces today. They will also be afraid to see to the future in fear of harder problems coming ahead. But this isn’t the way to govern a country if Barack Obama wants change he should not rely on the help of those who have put us in the problems we face today. Instead of listening to the other party, he should listen to the other people instead. The people who have put up with the Bush administration long enough, and have plans on how to create a better future.
Posted by: karen | November 23, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Obama is no fool. He knows exactly what he is doing by inviting the GOP to participate in the healing of America. If they decide to do otherwise, well, Obama can do it without them. So the GOP’s only decision is to be with it or against it. From there it’s pretty clear what choices and decisions will be made with or without the GOP. Maybe the GOP could get in one of those GM/Ford/Chrysler planes and fly away to exotic croneyland and stay awhile since they don’t have the character to come to healing of American party. YAHOO, TEAM OBAMA
Posted by: MissClarity | November 23, 2008, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm