Axelrod and Emanuel…
…are apparently leaving for Chicago soon.
Axelrod will be in charge of Obama’s re-election campaign from afar, and Emanuel plans to run for mayor of the city. Robert Gibbs is rumored to be Axelrod’s replacement as Senior Adviser.
Axelrod and Gibbs are about equally loathsome, and probably quite interchangeable. But for all the criticism leveled at Emanuel, he was my favorite in the Obama inner circle. Not just because of his ballet background, but because he seemed to be the only one with a grip on public opinion, and how far Obama could go without alienating the American people.
With Emanuel gone and the completely tone-deaf Gibbs elevated to a higher position than before, it is likely that Obama will become even more disconnected from the reality of voter reaction, if such a thing be possible. That could mean he might swing ever further to the left, which would at least have the benefit of making his bid for re-election even less likely to succeed.
Of course, it might depend on who Obama picks to fill Emanuel’s Chief of Staff position. I haven’t seen too many rumors, but Doug Shoen’s speculation that it will be an insider would appear to ring true, if previous actions of Obama are any guide:
For Obama, the choice comes down to promoting a trusted aide familiar with the rhythms of the White House or, in a bit of a gamble, tapping an outside candidate with the stature and independence to tell the president candidly what’s working and what’s not.
“The candidates that I’ve seen floated are good, decent people, but internal candidates,” said Douglas Schoen, a former pollster for President Clinton, touting the second option. “What the president needs and would benefit most from is someone who has independent credibility and can just walk into the Oval Office and say, ‘No, Mr. President.’ ”
Could the new candidate be Denis McDonough, as rumored here? If so, this certainly doesn’t sound like someone who’ll be saying “no” to the president very often:
The two men are close . “Obama and McDonough seem to idolize each other,” a source told the Chicago Sun Times. “It’s safe to say they are very close. Adoration may be in the mix.”
Ick.
Robert Gibbs is rumored to be Axelrod’s replacement as Senior Adviser.
For all old-time Red Sox fans, that is the equivalent of chosing Carroll Hardyto bat cleanup.
President Obama does seem to surround himself with people who idolize him, doesn’t he?
(Admittedly, in 2008 Obama-worshippers were not at all difficult to find. They’re not as thick on the ground now, I hear, but there’s still no shortage.)
I dunno. But my impression here is of a man who doesn’t easily learn from his mistakes. And in his presidency so far, he’s shown a tendency to double down rather than back off.
‘Scuse please, but wasn’t it President Bush who was accused of stubbornness and of not listening to dissenting opinions?
(Well, we’ve seen other examples of Obama continuing GWB policies he’d campaigned against. Perhaps this is just another one.)
If Republicans win big in November, it’ll be interesting to watch President Obama’s reactions. He’s never had to deal with real failure before.
“I like being President. And it turns out I’m pretty good at it.”
– BHO, sometime in late February 2009
respectfully,
Daniel in Brookline
Axelrod and Emanuel……are apparently leaving for Chicago soon.
Rats doing the backstroke. No clearer portend of Barry’s impending disaster exists.
I’m not convinced Obama is interested in listening to public reaction or sentiment. His reaction to questions from people who asked for some clarification, some validation that they weren’t justifying a vacuous administration was condescending and lacking accountability on his, or his administration’s part. He and the Democratic party were completely disinterested in the view of America when they passed HCR, they’re disinterested in the American people over Arizona law and immigration.
It’s more in his political DNA to attack, blame, and ridicule any who question or do not agree with his ideology. In that I see him selecting a crony as Emanuel’s replacement – someone who can feed his needs and will take orders as well as someone he can lay the information disconnect blame on when the public screams even louder.
Emanuel has a political base back in Chicago. That may be why he seemed to be the most independent voice from the inner circle. Gibbs, on the other hand, has nothing like that. Obama is probably his best and perhaps only gravy train. Thus the sycophantic characteristic of his relationship with Obama.
Gibbs is one of the worst press secretaries I have ever seen. A good press secretary will be able to parry with reporters. Tony Snow was good at that: “Thank you Helen, for the Hezbollah point of view.”
The Gibbs approach to reporters is to repeat a lie.
Daniel in Brookline:
“I like being President. And it turns out I’m pretty good at it.”
– BHO, sometime in late February 2009
I also recall seeing this line. It appears that it has been scrubbed from most places.
Gringo:
What is the downside for Gibbs? What is in it for him if he changes? No downside I can see. If you start from the fact he really doesn’t care about being a press sec. and views his responsibility to push the Obama line, it’s all good. For him.
Richard Cook:
What is the downside for Gibbs? What is in it for him if he changes?
No downside for Gibbs personally. He still collects a salary and still works for The Won. The downside is for the country: to have such a clown moved to a higher position of responsibility. Similarly, Carroll Hardy might have been glad to have batted cleanup. The downside would have been in the won-lost record for the Sox.
Ick to Emanuel, Neo.
Going to Sarah Lawrence and doing ballet does not look good on any political resume, except that it may appeal to “moderate” feminists.
He is your favorite roach, but a roach nevertheless. The next corruptocrat of Chicago.
I prefer the comedy team of Martin and Lewis.
Gringo
Well if all politcs is personal (according to Alinsky) then it naturally follows there is no downside. Gibbs will run his mouth for two more years then publish the insider book”. Then do the speaking tour. For the rest of his life.
What I’m hearing is that the chief of staff job will be offered to Valerie Jarrett. If she turns it down, it will be offered to Bill Ayers.
neo-neocon: “Axelrod and Gibbs are about equally loathsome…” LOL! Congratulations! You have identified a multi-use adjective to describe almost all of the members of the Obama regime. Ranks right up there with Sarah Palin’s “refudiate.”
Richard Clark,
How long till Gibbs tires of speaking to empty rooms? That doesn’t sound like a promising career path to me. Maybe he can become a blogmaster for Huffington.
Gibbs to be”elevated”? Because he’s done such a fabulous job of advising Obama thus far, I suppose.
Obama really is inflexible, and this proves he is stupid to boot, IMO. Of course maybe he realizes Gibbs has not been helping him in the image department and this will take the snarky Gibbs out of the press room, which can only help.
And surely Valerie Jarrett will be crowned queen of staff. Obama is convinced she’s infallible.
Axelrod and Gibbs are about equally loathsome…
At least Axelrod has half a brain. Gibbs is a freakin’ idiot.
Pass the popcorn.
” … Adoration may be in the mix. ”
=================
All that’s really necessary is that the chosen replacement be able to say (with apparent sincerity) “Yes, Your Excellency”.
After listening to Gibbs and others of the administration, I have to wonder – do they talk to each other like they talk to the public, or are they straight talkers with each other?
How can you get _anything_ done if everything you say is totally roundabout and obscure? Oh wait…!