Obama campaign turns to Rahm Emanuel, the ‘Dems’ Karl Rove’

[Geee]

TheHill:

President Obama’s reelection campaign is taking strategic advice from former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, whom one operative described as the “Democratic Party’s Karl Rove.”

Emanuel, a friend of both campaign manager Jim Messina and senior strategist and fellow Chicagoan David Axelrod, periodically weighs in “very clearly” on what the campaign should be doing, a Democratic official said.

 

The pugnacious Emanuel, who left the White House for a successful bid to become Chicago’s mayor, came to Obama’s defense last week when news reports surfaced that the Ricketts family — which owns the Chicago Cubs — was considering launching a $10 million campaign against Obama tied to his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Emanuel, who was said to be “livid,” allegedly cut off ties, at least temporarily, with the family.

“The Ricketts have tried to contact the mayor, but he’s said that he does not want to talk with them today, tomorrow or anytime soon,” an aide told The Washington Post.

Emanuel officially moved on from Obama-world two years ago after playing an instrumental role in pushing healthcare reform into law with his strong-arm tactics (and the occasional F-bomb).

This week he hosted his former boss and other international leaders at the NATO summit.

When the president and first lady Michelle Obama landed in Chicago on Saturday night for the summit, Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, were waiting at the airport to greet them. But it wasn’t just any ordinary airport meet-and-greet. The two couples exchanged hugs and boarded Marine One together for the chopper ride into the heart of their hometown.

Those who know the blunt, hot-tempered Emanuel well say it’s a smart move for Obama’s campaign to include him in its discussions.

“He’s one of our best strategists, he’s the Democratic Party’s Karl Rove,” said one source who has known Emanuel for years. “He still has that gift and that strategic mind that any sitting Democratic president running for reelection would want.”