Rahm Emanuel: Going, going, gone.

I’m glad to see Rahm Emanuel is leaving the White House with plans to announce his candidacy for mayor of Chicago. Rhambo, as he has not-so-affectionately come to be known, is famous for his hot temper and in-your-face style of getting things done. He once screamed at Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, and can be overhead swearing at his staff in several You Tube videos. This in and of itself might not make him a terrible person, but trust me, he is. When he was elected as a congressman, he stated his ambition to become the first Jewish Speaker of the House. Now, he’s decided it would be fun to take over Chi-town, a move that, while unexpected, is hardly surprising.

Emanuel is a political mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to advance himself personally. He was personally responsible for watering down much of the health care bill, a move that drew anger from both the left and the right. Before leaping headlong into politics, he had done quite well for himself in banking, making $10 million in two years.

President Obama once joked that when Emanuel lost part of his middle finger in a childhood accident, “it rendered him practically mute”. It is possible that Obama saw some redeeming value in Rahm, at least initially.

On the other hand, it is far more likely is that “no drama” Obama decided he needed some muscle in his administration, to talk tough and prevent any tarnishing of Obama’s immaculate and carefully manicured sheen. It comes as no surprise  that Rahm is running for Mayor of Chicago instead of returning to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; he has made far too many enemies, even amongst his own party, to continue his quest for the ultimate seat of power.

Emanuel is often compared to the ruthless Ari Gold from the HBO show Entourage. In fact, the comparison is quite fair–the character is based, and not too loosely, on Rahm’s brother Ari. As far as I’m concerned, politicans like Rahm, who exist only to further their own ends, deserve no place in our government. I don’t want anyone in charge who is not genuinely interested (or, genuinely uninterested) in helping those over whom he or she has authority and responsibility. It’s hard to imagine how Rahm ever convinced anyone of his righteousness or benevolence.

Of course, Chicago’s political scene is notorious for such self-interested political villains. Rahm should fit right in with others just like him.