Citing one of his infamous unnamed sources, syndicated columnist Robert Novak wrote on Sunday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted to see Rahm Emanuel take over as Illinois' junior senator if Barack Obama is elected president.
According to Novak, Emanuel expressed zero interest in such a move:
Emanuel told this column he is not interested in the Senate and has not talked to Pelosi about it. He also suggested that Pelosi might be saying she would regret losing him from her leadership team. However, the source quoting the speaker indicated she was enthusiastic about Emanuel's elevation to the Senate.
Emanuel would be a counter-intuitive replacement for Obama for two reasons: 1) a Clinton protege, he was the only member of the Illinois congressional delegation who did not endorse Obama until the primary was essentially over; and 2) Open Left's Chris Bowers notes that Emanuel is such a high-ranking House member that he would be "one of the few people who would actually lose power by moving to the Senate."
Bowers -- who, like many progressives, has been disappointed by Emanuel's centrist positions -- goes on to offer some reasons why naming Rahm to Obama's seat "might actually be very good from a progressive movement perspective."
That being said, while Pelosi's opinion on this matter is interesting, it's also meaningless. If the need to replace Obama arises -- and hopefully it will -- Gov. Blagojevich is going to be the one making the call. The only public official who would really have an effect on that decision is Obama himself.
Laurie Humphrey (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 21:32
Dear Senator Emanuel, I'm a concerned tax payer that is opposes this bailout. I do not believe it is good for the American people. When people were losing their jobs due to them being shipped over seas where were the banks when they wanted help and alternatives to keeping their homes. The banks were not interested in working with the people. Its no wonder why the American people won't stand behind this bill. All of you people were voted in to be the voice of the people. Every person I have talked to is against this bailout. I belive there are other alternatives to this crisis. I urge you to take a look at them. What ever happened to save your money until you can afford to buy it? That is the problem with this econamy. You finance a house and maybe a car to go back and forth to work. When I was growing up if Mom and Dad wanted a new tv or a pool for the kids they saved their money until they could buy it. I think wall street needs a small break down. Let them suffer a little then jump in and help. Respectfully Laurie Humphrey
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