Friday, March 6, 2009
by JEANNETTE LEE, CongressDaily
Sens. Thomas Carper, D-Del. and John McCain, R-Ariz., and others on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Federal Financial Management Subcommittee are urging the president to nominate a Census Bureau director, pronto.
With just a year until the decennial count, the bureau has yet to thoroughly test new technologies, is thin on staff and is far from solving the long-standing problem of undercounting ethnic minorities, a GAO official told the panel at a hearing Thursday.
Given the tight deadlines, the leadership vacuum at the Census Bureau badly needs filling, said Carper, the subcommittee chairman.
"Uncertainties surround the bureau's readiness for 2010," testified Robert Goldenkoff, director of strategic issues at GAO. "They are under the gun."
Goldenkoff and five other witnesses said a good troubleshooter at the helm would be key to pulling off what is slated to be the country's most expensive national headcount to date. Former Census Bureau Director Barbara Bryant urged the subcommittee to "do everything in your power and use your influence on the administration" to get a new director.
Carper asked each witness to recommend two prospects by the close of business today "who you think are well-equipped to do this job." Carper said he would forward the names to Commerce Secretary-designate Gary Locke, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and "probably" to Vice President Joe Biden, Carper's former fellow senator from Delaware.
"Maybe the administration has its own candidates," Carper said, but "we'll submit a talent pool in case they need help in that regard." Carper told CongressDaily he didn't have any nominees in mind, but "we know there are good people out there."
NextGov has more on the challenges facing the bureau as 2010 approaches.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Former lawmakers will be running State, Interior, Transportation, Commerce, the CIA and -- if Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., is confirmed -- Labor -- putting a large swath of the government and about 230,000 employees under the control of appointees who are savvy in legislating but light on management experience.
It falls to another House veteran -- White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel -- to make sure the administration fills the management gap and avoids what has been a less-than-stellar track record of members of Congress moving into Cabinet agencies.
For more on the track record of lawmakers as agency heads, read the complete story from CongressDaily (subscription).
Monday, December 29, 2008
By RICHARD COHEN
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., officially announced his resignation from Congress today to become President-elect Obama's chief of staff, seeming to close the door on any chance of making a quick return to his old job, in case he has second thoughts.
Emanuel's office made the announcement in an e-mail that included the text of an automated call to his constituents on Chicago's North Side, and in a letter, dated Jan. 2, to embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D).
In his message to constituents, Emanuel said that in the interim, "both the Washington DC and Chicago offices will be open, and staff will be available to assist you with any casework issues." The statement also provided a telephone number in Chicago for constituents to contact with questions or concerns about legislation or dealings with federal agencies. Under House rules, the Clerk of the House routinely takes control of a House office once there is a vacancy.
The letter to Blagojevich routinely reviewed Emanuel's three terms in Congress and referred to his hopes for his new job: "As I go to work every day in the incoming Obama Administration, I will keep in mind the stories of the working families and senior citizens who I met during the past six years in grocery stores, schools and churches across the Fifth District." The letter appeared to make no reference to the governor's current legal problems, nor to Emanuel's much-discussed recent conversations with him.
Although Obama resigned from the Senate in mid-November, other members of his administration have retained their seats in Congress. Vice President-elect Joe Biden is expected to resign his Senate seat prior to the Jan. 20 inauguration, and Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner has appointed his temporary successor, Ted Kaufman. Other announced members of Obama's Cabinet from Capitol Hill are not expected to resign until the Senate confirms them to their new office. They are: Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton, Interior Secretary-designate Ken Salazar, and Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis.
As incoming chief of staff, Emanuel does not face Senate confirmation. And he has been working actively in his new job since Obama officially named him on Nov. 7. The announcement makes it unlikely that Emanuel will be sworn in as a member of the 111th Congress, which formally convenes next week. But by ambiguously describing the future operation of his congressional office, and by not explicitly stating that he will not join the 111th Congress, Emanuel may have left himself some wiggle room.
Monday, November 10, 2008
By DERON LEE
Ken Duberstein, who served as
President Reagan's final chief of staff, offered some words of warning to incoming White House chief of staff
Rahm Emanuel on Friday's edition of "
National Journal On Air."
"I don't think Rahm needs any advice from me," Duberstein told host
Tammy Haddad, "but I think the most important
thing to remember about chief of staff is to remember that the president is
chief and you're staff."
"What Rahm certainly will come to realize," Duberstein added, "is that every time Rahm Emanuel opens
his mouth, the voice people will hear is the voice of
President Obama, not the
voice of Rahm Emanuel."
Duberstein also discussed similarities between this transition period and Reagan's, the difficulties of staffing and appointments in a new administration, and the importance of bipartisanship. The full audio and transcript of the interview are available
here.
Monday, November 10, 2008
By LUCAS GRINDLEY
Now it's starting to get creepy. In an odd way, the
selection of
Rahm Emanuel as
Barack Obama's chief of staff fulfills yet another plot line
that unfolded during the final season of NBC's "West Wing," which must have
been written by
Nostradamus.
As aficionados of the long-running show will know, Emanuel
is widely cited as inspiration for the character of Josh Lyman, who becomes the
chief of staff to the new president, Matthew Santos. And the real conspiracy theorists know why that's important:
The Santos character is modeled after Obama. (The writers spoke repeatedly with
David Axelrod while composing their prophetic plot lines.)
This isn't the first parallel to emerge from the show. The
New York Times cataloged earlier coincidences in October.
At this rate, John McCain will be named as Obama's secretary
of state. After all, that's how the season ends, with Santos picking his former rival in the ultimate
gesture of bipartisanship.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Hotline's
Sunday Snapshot this week features incoming White House Chief of Staff
Rahm Emanuel, transition team co-chair
Valerie Jarrett and a range of political pundits discussing
Barack Obama's win and his preparations to assume the presidency.
Friday, November 7, 2008
By MARY GILBERT
The Brookings Institution kicked off a series of talks on the transition process with a panel discussion this morning featuring former White House Chiefs of Staff
Kenneth Duberstein and
Leon Panetta. The two discussed the challenges facing
President-elect Barack Obama as he turns from campaign mode to the task of government, as well as his first big staff appointment --
Rahm Emanuel.
Panetta -- who took over as
Bill Clinton's chief of staff in 1994 -- and Duberstein -- who worked in the Reagan White House, including as COS in 1988-89 -- both had abundant praise for Emanuel. Calling him "very disciplined" and "a very hard worker," Panetta insisted that the Illinois congressman has the qualities necessary to get things done. He also pointed out that, while Emanuel has gained a reputation as a partisan Democrat on the Hill, that is mainly because his current position in the leadership team requires him to toe the party line. In reality, Emanuel is a centrist, Panetta claimed, and understands that the Democrats must govern from the center to be effective.
Duberstein went on to stress that the chief of staff position requires the ability to say no, even to the president's most important constituents, and must be able to deliver news that the president needs but does not necessarily want to hear. He called Emanuel "exceptionally qualified" to fill both of these roles.
The former Reagan staffer joked about the 3 a.m.
TV ad (subscription) put out by
Hillary Clinton's team during the primary race, pointing out that if the phone really did ring in the middle of the night, it would be the COS -- not the president -- answering the call. "I trust Rahm" to handle that situation, he said. Finally, Duberstein added that the disciplined and systematic way that the Obama transition team has rolled out its first appointments sends a positive message about the president-elect's readiness to govern after a long and grueling campaign.
Moving on to strategy decisions that must be made by the new president, both men stressed the importance of picking one or two key priorities to focus on during the first 100 to 200 days in office, and both agreed that the economy has to be Obama's No. 1 priority. "You don't want to start out on the wrong issue," Panetta explained, citing Clinton's push on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Duberstein cited
Ronald Reagan as a good example for Obama to follow. During the transition period, Duberstein said, Reagan decided that passing an economic recovery package would be his major focus during his first six months. Before he even took office, he sent people to the Hill to reach out to House Democrats. Ultimately, he was able to win 63 Democratic votes on the first bill he sent to Capitol Hill, enhancing his political capitol and allowing him to then turn to other prized initiatives. Reagan was successful, Duberstein maintained, because he started early, set a clear goal and put the right people in the right places to make things happen.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
By MARY GILBERT
Potential Pros:
White House experience: As an aide to
Bill Clinton,
Rahm Emanuel witnessed the relatively bumpy transition period in 1992, but also saw the operation recover under the leadership of
Leon Panetta. He presumably understands some of the potential pitfalls and will know how to avoid them.
Congressional experience: Emanuel knows the ins and outs of the power structure on the Hill. "He understands how the legislative process works, which will bring great advantage as the new administration plans its legislative agenda and then takes necessary steps to secure its passage," said University of Vermont professor
John Burke, author of "
Presidential Transitions: From Politics to Practice." "Only he and former Senator
Howard Baker," who was tapped as
Ronald Reagan's chief of staff in 1987, "have had that kind of direct legislative experience."
Closeness to the president-elect: Emanuel's relationship with Obama goes back to their Chicago days. The two are close personally; Emanuel knows Obama's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, and thus can presumably work around them.
Early announcement bodes well for transition: The chief of staff has a multitude of responsibilities, including making other key White House staff appointments. "Early appointment of a chief of staff is a central pillar of a successful transition," said Burke, calling the quick announcement "a very good sign."
Potential Cons:
Temperament: Nicknamed "Rahmbo," the Illinois representative has made enemies as well as friends on Capitol Hill. His take-no-prisoners style can ruffle feathers. Though it could make him an effective surrogate for the more mild-mannered Obama, it could also prove an obstacle to the kind of bipartisan governing Obama has promised throughout his campaign. The position of chief of staff requires a "strong, experienced, and astute hand, but not an overbearing one," according to Burke. It remains to be seen if Emanuel can strike the right balance as a manager.
Supporting actor: Obama will be the face of the administration, while it's the chief of staff's role to handle the backroom dealings. For a man who has played a very visible role in Congress, will a behind-the-scenes role be enough?
Honest broker: Whether the outspoken Emanuel can be relied upon to provide impartial counsel on policy issues is an open question. "Chiefs of staff who put their own policy thumbs too heavily on the scale run into problems," Burke said, citing
Donald Regan under Reagan and
John Sununu under
George H.W. Bush as examples. "Can he present his own policy views and advice, without compromising alternative points of view?"
Removes a powerful player from the House: Emanuel had aspirations to become House Speaker. This job will, at least, put those plans on hold, and the Democratic leadership will have to find a suitable replacement for his position as Caucus Chairman.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
By MARY GILBERT
Some pols are
questioning President-elect Obama's choice of
Rahm Emanuel for his chief of staff, as the House's fourth-ranking Democrat is known in Washington for his in-your-face tactics. At least one Republican, however, is impressed with the choice. South Carolina Sen.
Lindsey Graham, one of
John McCain's top surrogates throughout the campaign, had this to say about the choice today:
"This is a wise choice by President-elect Obama. Rahm knows Capitol Hill and has great political skills. He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together. He is well-suited for the position of White House Chief of Staff.
"I worked closely with him during the presidential debate negotiations which were completed in record time. When we hit a rough spot, he always looked for a path forward. I consider Rahm to be a friend and colleague. He's tough but fair. Honest, direct, and candid. These qualities will serve President-elect Obama well.
"Rahm understands the challenges facing our nation and will, consistent with the agenda set by President-elect Obama, work to find common ground where it exists. I look forward to working with him in his new position and will continue to do everything I can to help find a pathway forward on the difficult problems facing our nation."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
By KEVIN FRIEDL
A senior Democratic aide has confirmed to
National Journal that Rep.
Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., has accepted the offer to serve as chief of staff in
Barack Obama's White House.
There will be a formal announcement of the appointment tomorrow, the aide said. For more on Emanuel, who served as an aide in the Clinton administration and is now the chairman of the Democratic Caucus, see his
Almanac of American Politics bio
here.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President-elect Obama's reportedly new chief of staff, House Democratic Caucus Chairman
Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, was profiled by
National Journal reporter
Richard E. Cohen in
a May 2006 story. Cohen surveyed the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Emanuel's influence on it: "Behind the scenes over the past year and a half, Emanuel has quietly recast the DCCC to reflect the abundant political skills, resources, and contacts that he has accumulated as one of the nation's most facile campaign operatives. After only two terms in the House, the ambitious 46-year-old has positioned himself as one of the most powerful rising stars on Capitol Hill."
Also accompanying that piece was a
Q&A with Emanuel.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Almanac of American Politics' profile of Rahm Emanuel, Obama's reported pick for White House chief of staff, describes a congressman who's risen nearly as quickly up the political ladder as his future boss. Excerpts follow:
Emanuel was born in Chicago
and grew up in Wilmette, the son of an Israeli
immigrant. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence, got a master's degree in
communications from Northwestern and began his career with Illinois Public
Action, a consumer rights group. California Representative Tony Coelho
recruited him to join the staff of the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee in 1985. He worked for Mayor Richard M. Daley, before joining Bill
Clinton's presidential campaign in 1991. He was rewarded with a high-level
staff post in the Clinton White House, where he gained wide respect for his
political savvy but drew criticism, even from allies, for an arrogant and
abrasive style. In 1999 he left the White House and returned to Chicago where he made
millions as an investment banker.
His decision to run for Congress was greeted
with disdain by those who had toiled for years in the vineyards of Chicago politics. His
strongest opponent was former state Representative Nancy Kaszak, who lost the
1996 primary to Rod Blagojevich; she portrayed Emanuel as an interloper with
few ties to the district. But Emanuel had his own local connections. He was
endorsed by Daley and by labor unions (despite his support of NAFTA), and he
raised large sums--nearly $2 million for the primary--from his extensive Chicago
and national Democratic fundraising networks. Emanuel benefited from
controversy two weeks before the primary, when a local Polish-American leader
supporting Kaszak charged that Emanuel served in the Israeli army in 1991
during the Gulf War and suggested he had dual loyalties. The charge was
false--Emanuel is a U.S.
citizen who volunteered as a civilian at an Israeli supply base--and Kaszak's
campaign was thrown off-stride.
Emanuel won 50%-39%, with large majorities on
the Lakefront and in Lincoln Park.
He carried all of the 13 wards in the district, except for the heavily Polish
30th. In the general election, Emanuel faced a feisty challenger who attacked
him as overly ambitious, but the result was never in doubt; he won 67%-29%.
That made him the district's fourth congressman in a decade; before he was
indicted and eventually served prison time, Rostenkowski served this area for
36 years.
Moving quickly up the ranks in the House, Emanuel cut an unusually
high-profile figure. Even before winning election in 2002, he strategized for
the national party, met with the national media and sought a prime committee
assignment: Rosty's old haunt at Ways and Means. Although he was delayed for
two more years--freshmen seldom get on Ways and Means--his aggressiveness,
political skills and fundraising prowess quickly made him a congressman to
watch. "He's very strategic, very good at message, smart on the legislative
process, and disciplined," said Democrat Jan Schakowsky, who represents the
neighboring 9th District.
He also showed skill in working across the aisle. He
cosponsored with Representative Gil Gutknecht the House-passed bill allowing
Americans to import prescription drugs from other nations. "Few members here
have Rahm's energy, or know what reporter to talk to at The New York Times,"
Gutknecht marveled. NRCC chairman Tom Reynolds became Emanuel's chief
co-sponsor of a proposal to spend billions of dollars to clean up the Great Lakes. "He came to me, and I liked his concept,"
Reynolds said. "I think that Hillary [Rodham Clinton] told him he should get to
know me."
Continue reading A Rising Star Could Leave The House.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Barack Obama is losing no time in assembling his new administration, offering up the White House chief of staff position to House Democratic Caucus chairman
Rahm Emanuel of Illinois just one day after he secured the title of president-elect. Emanuel, who had apparently been whispering to friends and colleagues that he was interested in the position, accepted this afternoon, according to NBC and Fox News.
Emanuel, who served as an adviser in
Bill Clinton's White House and currently ranks as the fourth-highest Democrat in Congress, certainly fits the bill of a Washington insider who knows the ins and outs of the policy-making process. He and Obama share a close personal friendship and their Chicago roots.
But Emanuel's aggressive style has earned him the nickname "Rahmbo" on the Hill and some -- Republicans in particular -- fear his take-no-prisoners tactics could prove ill-suited for the job.
Check back later for more analysis.
UPDATE: A spokesman for Emanuel is denying reports that he has accepted the job. But, as
AP notes, "a rejection would amount to an unlikely public snub of the new president-elect."
