NP - Dem Insiders Trash Rahm Emanuel, His Effect On White House 'Tone'

[David Morris]

It's probably a good thing he's leaving.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8296e3a2-cb27-11df-95c0-00144feab49a.html

Second, detractors say that Mr Emanuel, who cut his teeth in the
Clinton White House and formed the basis of the character Josh in the
popular West Wing television series, misread the obstructionist mood
of the Republican party on Capitol Hill. Time and again on the
healthcare debate, cap-and-trade and the $787bn stimulus, Mr Emanuel
led the White House negotiations with Republican legislators.

In almost every case Mr Emanuel recommended concessions to the
Republicans that achieved no support when push came to vote.

“Rahm’s approach helped create the impression that the Obama White
House had no principles – it was simply transactional,” says a close
Democratic observer.