Rahm Emanuel

Clinton White House

In 1991, after volunteering on an Israeli army supply base during the Persian Gulf War, he joined Bill Clinton’s campaign for president, and worked vigorously as a fundraiser.Loson, Laura M., “White House externs; Two turns of the revolving door,” The New York Times, Feb. 3, 1999 When Clinton won, Emanuel became a top aide in his White House, working on welfare reform, gun control and children’s’ health care, an issue he would embrace in Congress as well.Pierre, Robert E., “From Front Line to Front Stoop; Clinton Ex-Aide Pounds Pavement in Bid for House Seat,” The Washington Post, March 22, 2002

As White House political director, his aggressive tactics rubbed some people the wrong way and he was demoted to manager of special legislative efforts. He once sent a rotting fish to a pollster he didn’t like (Alan Secrest), and he was known for yelling at Democrats he thought were disloyal to the party.Loson, Laura M., “White House externs; Two turns of the revolving door,” The New York Times, Feb. 3, 1999

Despite his tactics, he worked his way back up the Clinton ladder to become a senior adviser again when George Stephanopoulos left the administration in 1996. Emanuel left in 1999 and worked as an investment banker for a couple years, making millions. Roll Call estimated his wealth at $5.02 million, making him the 50th richest member of Congress."Roll Call’s 50 Richest," Roll Call, Sept. 22, 2008 Among other skills, he is a classically- trained ballet dancer.

2002 House Election

Emanuel returned to politics in 2002, easily winning the Illinois 5th district seat vacated by future Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.). His opponent in the primary, state Rep. Nancy Kaszak (D), tried to paint Emanuel as a carpetbagger, but her campaign stumbled in the final weeks. Emanuel’s political clout gave him a huge advantage as well. Already a prolific fundraiser for other candidates with a large rolodex of wealthy Democrats, Emanuel threw a fundraiser at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) house and drew praise from Democratic National Committee Chair Terry McAuliffe. He was one of the nation’s most prolific congressional fundraisers in his inaugural campaign, raising $1.98 million in the first quarter of 2002. "I wish I had 200 of him running for Congress," McAuliffe said. "He will get in, he will mix it up, he will stand tall for the Democratic Party."Zeleny, Jeff, “Emanuel get boost from ex-boss; Candidate raises funds at Clintons’” Chicago Tribune, June 19, 2002

Even before he was elected to the House, Emanuel made it known that he wanted a seat on the influential Ways and Means Committee, a statement that rubbed some the wrong way.Huse, Carl, “Clinton aide heads to House, with waves preceding him,” The New York Times, Aug. 23, 2002 He didn’t get the coveted spot in his first term, but he did manage to nab one in his second.

House Democratic Leadership

In January 2005, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appointed Emanuel to chair the DCCC, the committee where he got his political start as a staffer. Emanuel thrived in the role, actively recruiting moderate Democrats to challenge Republicans who were struggling politically because of the unpopularity of President George W. Bush and the Iraq war. He also fought with party Chairman Howard Dean about Dean’s “50-state strategy” that required investing funds even in states where the GOP traditionally ran strong.Bendavid, Naftali, “The House that Rahm built,” Chicago Tribune, Nov. 12, 2006

Unlike Dean, Emanuel wanted more money dedicated to House candidates and less to the party’s state infrastructure. When he didn’t get as much as he hoped, he encouraged candidates to raise massive sums of money and run ruthless campaigns.Easton, Nina, “Rahm Emanuel, pitbull politician,” Fortune, Sept. 25, 2006 His strategy worked, and House Democrats picked up 30 seats in the 2006 midterm elections. "You've got to have a thirst for winning," Emanuel said. "You know what our party thinks? 'We're good people with good ideas. That's just enough, isn't it?' Being tough enough, mean enough and vicious enough is just not what they want. ... They just want to be patted on the back for the noble effort. No."Bendavid, Naftali, “The House that Rahm built,” Chicago Tribune, Nov. 12, 2006

The overwhelming election victory had Emanuel’s stock soaring in November 2006, and he briefly thought about running for House majority whip. But he decided Clyburn’s support was too strong, especially in the Congressional Black Caucus. Instead, Emanuel was unanimously elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, where he presided over the election of a stream of socially moderate Democrats that has broadened, and challenged, his party.Bresnahan, John, “What does Rahm want?,” Politico, July 16, 2008 Biographical and career data taken from Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition

Blagojevich Controversy

In the immediate aftermath of the 2008 elections, Emanuel's name surfaced during the investigation of Blagojevich for attempting to sell the Senate seat vacated by Obama. Emanuel was allegedly instructed by Obama to approach the governor's aides to talk about candidates Obama supported for the seat. But Emanuel was not accused of discussing a quid pro quo for the seat.Weisman, Jonathan, Bendavid, Naftali and Simpson, Cam, "Emanuel, Blagojevich aides discussed Senate seat," The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 15, 2008

According to the April 2009 indictment of Blagojevich, Emanuel, referred to as 'Congressman A,' was allegedly the target of 2006 extortion by Blagojevich. The indictment said Blagojevich tried to withhold money requested by Emanuel for a school unless Emanuel's brother held a fundraiser for the governor. The fundraiser never happened, and the indictment doesn't say whether Emanuel ever actually learned about the request.McCormich, John, "'Congressman A': Rahm Emanuel," Chicago Tribune, April 3, 2009

The Economy

A former investment banker who spent time on the board at Freddie Mac, Emanuel was a key figure in negotiating the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street in October 2008. He warned of more turmoil when Bear Sterns went under in March 2008, and worked tirelessly with then-White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten to negotiate the bailout. He held six Democratic Caucus meetings in just a few days to help explain the deal to  Democrats, and helped rally support for the deal among both parties.Tankersley, Jim, “Dogged bailout backer; Rahm Emanuel takes lead role for Democrats,” Chicago Tribune, Oct. 3, 2008   “It was hard for a lot of members to get their arms around the depth and the dimension of this crisis," Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) said. "He was able to put that in perspective for people."

Health Care

Emanuel has led the push for President Obama's landmark health-care reform bill. Progressives criticized him (some even calling for his resignation) for not being bold enough and abandoning their beloved public option, but Emanuel's supporters argued that he was simply being realistic.Wallsten, Peter, Wall Street Journal, "Chief of Staff Draws Fire From Left as Obama Falters," Jan. 26, 2010

After more than a year of legislative wrangling, the House passed the Senate version of health-care reform on March 21, 2010, clearing the way for the Senate to approve a package of amendments insisted on by the lower chamber with a simple majority (using a process known as reconciliation).

The $940 billion bill requires most Americans to carry health insurance and require that insurance companies cover them, regardless of pre-existing conditions.  It establishes a national insurance exchange allowing Americans to compare and purchase insurance plans. The bill will be paid for by increasing taxes on well-off Medicare recipients and by taxing premium insurance plans. By the end of the bill’s 10-year roll-out, 32 million uninsured Americans will have health coverage and the deficit will be $138 billion lower, the Congressional Budget Office estimated. Murray, Shailagh and Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post, "House Passes Health-Care Reform Bill without Republican Votes," March 22, 2010

As a senior aide in the Clinton White House, Emanuel worked on expanding health insurance to those who didn’t have it, especially children.

He sponsored a bill to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, though Democrats couldn’t gain enough support to override a veto from President Bush.Babington, Charles, “House votes to expand insurance for kids,” Associated Press via USA Today, Sept. 26, 2007 As a freshman congressman, he teamed with then-Rep. Cal Dooley (D-Calif.) to introduce a drug benefit plan under Medicare, breaking with his party’s leadership early in his Congressional tenure.Pear, Robert, “Medicare drug benefit plan is proposed by 2 Democrats,” The New York Times, April 2, 2003 The bill was designed to extend Medicare drug benefits to elderly and low-income people.