The Washington Post advances Emanuel’s agenda

The Washington Post is carrying a story about President Barack Obama’s chief of staff Rahm Emanuel that is written in a manner that certainly plays right into the hands of critics who remain concerned about the objectivity of the traditional print media.

“Emanuel is overhauling his image,” and whoever pitched this story to the Washington Post is high-fiving their friends this evening.

Put on your hip boots and wade in…

/ Kevin Dayhoff

Give-and-Take With Emanuel Advances President's Agenda

Lawmakers Respond to Improved Access to White House

By Shailagh Murray Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, April 13, 2009; A01

As the House and Senate debated the budget earlier this month, Rahm Emanuel's spacious West Wing office took on the feel of a legislative bazaar.

Wavering Democrats filed in individually and in groups seeking audiences with President Obama's pugnacious chief of staff, all bearing concerns about the 2010 fiscal blueprint. For some, the issue was farm payments. For others, veterans benefits. Fiscal conservatives balked at the $1.2 trillion deficit. One House member wanted to discuss a new federal building in his district. Another sought an appointment with the commerce secretary.

Forty-six lawmakers beat a path to the White House, and, on April 2, Emanuel's hospitality paid off. All but three of his visitors voted in the House or Senate for a $3.5 trillion blueprint that preserved Obama's ambitious domestic policy goals. The 233 to 196 House margin represented the largest budget victory for either party in a decade.

Emanuel's theatrical style, ballet training and "Rahmbo" nickname, along with the well-worn story about a dead fish he sent to a rival, are duly noted on his Wikipedia page. But in his new job, Emanuel is overhauling his image, becoming more valet than hit man, and his formula for moving Obama's agenda through Congress is beginning to resonate. Even Republicans concede that given Obama's early victories, thornier tasks such as landmark health-care, energy and education bills may not be out of reach.

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20090413 Emanuel Advances President's Agenda
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/12/AR2009041202629.html

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/