Which would be the safer place to be for a political figure who's received death threats?:a. A school concert in a public venue.If you answered 'b,' you're thinking like me and presumably most people. If you answered 'a,' you're A.B. Stoddard. The associate editor of "The Hill" offered up the strange excuse that death threats are preventing Rahm Emanuel from attending press conferences in the course of an MSNBC appearance this afternoon during which she also claimed that "President-elect Obama is taking steps to be as forthcoming and as open and as transparent as he promised he would be."
b. A press conference in the company of the President-elect of the United States of America.
View video here.
AMY ROBACH: A.B., I want to go a little further into Rahm Emanuel. He did not attend Thursday's press conference. The Chicago Sun-Times caught up with him apparently at his children's concert and asked him about the scandal. This is what Emanuel said, he said: "you're wasting your time. I'm not going to say a word to you. I'm going to do this with my children. Don't do that. I'm a father. I have two kids. I'm not going to do it."I agree that there's nothing unusual or inherently wrong about someone in Emanuel's position speaking with Blago about the Senate appointment. But Stoddard's odd excuse for Emanuel's failure to attend press conferences, and her claim that Pres.-elect Obama is being "forthcoming, open and transparent," sound like so much pro-Obama spin.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting right now that Emanuel is the President-elect adviser named six times in the complaint. Again, as John [Decker, of Reuters] pointed out, he has not been charged with anything. But if that proves to be true, what does that mean for the Obama transition to power, A.B.?
A.B. STODDARD: Well, this is obviously a huge distraction, but I think President-elect Obama is taking steps to be as forthcoming and as open and as transparent as he promised he would be. I would be shocked if Rahm Emanuel had not gotten on the phone with Rod Blagojevich and asked him, I don't know, for those of us who are obsessed with this kind of thing, paying attention to the Senate appointment long before it became a scandal, Rod Blagojevich was dragging his feet and saying he was going to take two months. Obviously the incoming chief of staff would be calling him up and saying "this is who we approve of, and why are you taking so long?"
I think that Rahm Emanuel is not going to press conferences any more because he told some cameraman yesterday he's receiving death threats and his house under siege; he can't even go to the transition office. So maybe he is advised from legal counsel not to speak to the press and not to say anything, but I'm going to agree with John that so far we don't think that Rahm Emanuel is in any trouble. He had conversations that any transition team top adviser would be having.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Source of the threats
December 12, 2008 - 17:15 ET by SpaceManSpiffI suppose it depends on where these 'threats' are comming from. The Transition Team perhaps?
Uh, err, umm
December 12, 2008 - 17:22 ET by 10ksnookerLOL
LOL. Think someone sent
December 12, 2008 - 17:26 ET by GinaELOL. Think someone sent him a fish?
What a bunch of crap.
December 12, 2008 - 17:16 ET by superconDeath threats....?
Do absolute strangers have Rahm's phone number or e- mail or his home address?
Maybe Rahm can tell us the last time a public official was attacked by some stranger.The last time I can recall is twenty years ago when Reagan got shot.
The guy is dirty.
apparently
December 12, 2008 - 17:36 ET by katainkentabc news
"part of what I'm hoping to introduce as the next president is a new ethic of [government enforced] responsibility" - B. Obama
He needs to check the
December 12, 2008 - 17:43 ET by cocodrieHe needs to check the addresses on the envelopes. They're probably some he malied out with insufficient postage.
STINKING
December 12, 2008 - 17:59 ET by MrShyAll of this... all of these creeps and corrupt thug politicians are knee deep in the dirty waters of Chitown politics, right up to Numero Uno himself, The One.
IT'S ALL STINKING TO HIGH HEAVEN.
I'll ask for the millionth time. Why, WHY, were so many duped by this absolute fraud? (okay, I sort of know the answer, and it's frightening... the machine that built him up and thrusted him through started in Chicago but spilled out to the MSM, George Soros, campaign funds from who-knows-where, etc..)
Disgusting, all of it.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Mike Klonsky
December 15, 2008 - 04:23 ET by Nortoand Bill ayers, Small School Workshop, Annenberg. O arranges $$, the amount is disputed. Educare/Chicago connection?
Good ol' A.B. she has her
December 12, 2008 - 17:20 ET by bigtimerGood ol' A.B. she has her talking points down along with the rest of the O talking head supporters...
I'm not surprised, I have never cared for her from day one years ago.
Protect and Defend...at all costs for The Chosen One and his machine.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Death threats, eh?
December 12, 2008 - 17:23 ET by Mica the MagnificentPerfect attention-diverter.
Looky over here, not at Blago and Obama and Jesse Jr.
Over here!
MSM: Could these death threats be coming from right wingers disgruntled over their loss last Nov 4?
We now have a live update from Andrea Mitchell in a diner asking normal people why they believe all conservatives want Rahm dead.
Nice work...
December 12, 2008 - 17:24 ET by BiasedGirlWhy do these guys even need to give statements? Clearly the 'reporter' was happy to just theorize what had happened on her own...
http://www.withbias.net
The ol' "I'm getting death
December 12, 2008 - 17:27 ET by Chris NormanThe ol' "I'm getting death threats" claim by Democrats and liberals under criticism.
video
December 12, 2008 - 17:27 ET by katainkentlinks to the article pic :0
To be fair, I went to just
December 12, 2008 - 17:38 ET by AizlynneTo be fair, I went to just about every concert, musical event, sporting event, etc. that my kids attended. So did my husband. Is there something unusual about this? I did have to take time off work for some of these things too.
Just curious .......
It's nice that Rahm attended
December 12, 2008 - 17:42 ET by Mark FinkelsteinIt's nice that Rahm attended his childrens' concert. But what sense does it make that it was safe for him to go there, but not to attend the press conference?
Line of Fire?
December 12, 2008 - 17:46 ET by CaringwhiteguyPut your own kids in the line of fire, but not the Chosen One?
that's nice aizlynne
December 12, 2008 - 20:47 ET by candanceWhy was Sarah Palin not given that same understanding about her own children? I thought it wasn't physically possible to raise children and work in the White House at the same time.
I'm a typical white person.
Why cd...I guess she just
December 12, 2008 - 21:11 ET by bigtimerWhy cd...I guess she just didn't receive enough death threats to rate like Rahm and family dontcha know...which now they are claiming this isn't true....after the msm did the job they wanted done for them in the first place.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
funny how when republicans get the shaft
December 12, 2008 - 17:45 ET by thebutlerdiditand they get their info put out there and hounded to death, they don't whine about it. I don't remember Ken Starr et al whining, do you? Man up there, Rahm, you are playing with the big boys now! I thought he was supposed to be so tough, sending his fish gifts, doing his Godfather re-enactment, etc, but he is just a widdle titty baby. WAAAAA.
Tell it to Karl!
December 12, 2008 - 17:48 ET by Caringwhiteguy". . . . his house under siege", says AB. And when Karl Rove went down to the end of his driveway to get the morning paper . . . .?
So what!
December 12, 2008 - 18:02 ET by needleA.B. STODDARD: I think President-elect Obama is taking steps to be as forthcoming and as open and as transparent as he promised he would be.
Stoddard is right on the money (OK, pun intended). In the same manner Obama has also taken steps to support school vouchers, public campaign financing, and a whole slew of other things as he previously promised.
All of this is easy to understand: Obama is not bound by his Presidential campaign promises and his Presidential policies and positions, because after all he is INELIGIBLE to be President in the first place. His oath of office is invalid and worthless.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
I thought Rahm was a tough
December 12, 2008 - 18:03 ET by clubchamp6I thought Rahm was a tough as nails guy...it appears he has a couple of tiny rasins w/ one curly hair on them. Wussy.
Ironic
December 12, 2008 - 18:40 ET by iveseenitallBarry's not even inaugurated yet and he's all ready ankle deep in a shady deal. Meanwhile, he's bringing back all the Clintonistas. They have plenty of experience covering up scandals. They are sure to teach Barry how to deny, deny, deny. Ironic.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
THIS ISN'T THE ROD BLAGOYEVICH I KNOW.
December 12, 2008 - 18:50 ET by bktDidn't that work for Ayers? The racist "Reverend" Wright?
mmm hmmm...
THIS ISN'T THE RAHM EMANUEL I KNOW!
December 12, 2008 - 18:51 ET by bktwell... it's the GIFT that KEEPS ON GIVING!
Caesar Enrico Bandello: "You can dish it out, but you ...
December 12, 2008 - 19:23 ET by LJSALAZARYou can dish it out, but you got so you can't take it no more." Isn't this the same Rahm that did the tough guy act at some dinner where he stuck a steak knife into a table every time he read off a political enemies name and yelled "DEAD!" after each one? What a sad sack! You are such a JERK, Rahm!
I'm confused...
December 12, 2008 - 19:35 ET by BKeyseris he getting death threats or not? According to ABC, and their headline:
Emanuel: I'm Getting Death Threats Over Blagojevich Scandal
you would think there is something to this. But the only reference to the headline in the story is:
Back at his home, Emanuel appeared "beet-red," according to an ABC News
cameraman who was invited inside by Emanuel to use his bathroom this
morning.
"I'm getting regular death threats. You've put my home address
on national television. I'm pissed at the networks. You've intruded too
much, " Emanuel said, according to the cameraman.
An aide for Emanuel said late Friday afternoon that Emanuel did not
make any remarks about receiving death threats. "While we appreciate
this camera man's active imagination, this report is inaccurate," said
Sarah Feinberg.
So which is it? And who would be threatening him anyway? Isn't he protected under the cloak of The One?
BK.... Excellent
December 12, 2008 - 19:38 ET by bigtimerBK....
Excellent questions...this inquiring mind would like to know the answers to this also.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I know!
December 12, 2008 - 19:47 ET by BKeyserDeath threats? Really? Maybe I'm wrong but I thought that was a pretty serious thing -death threats. I don't know what kind of protection the incoming WHCoS gets, but wouldn'd somebody be investigating pretty heavily if there were actual death threats? This isn't Michael Moore, or some other Kool-Aid drinker, this guy has a title. I just find it hard to believe that anyone would just throw that out there and see if it sticks. I'm not saying I believe he's actually received death threats -I find it completely implausable- but for the media to run with it in at least two stories is amaz...
Sorry. I'm okay now. Almost felt like I was actually on another planet for a moment there...
BK... It's not amazing to
December 12, 2008 - 19:51 ET by bigtimerBK...
It's not amazing to me...the msm will do anything to protect, spin and deflect their own...
Plus all paths here lead to O...and we can't have that if the msm can stop it...which, try as thy might, this isn't going to stop for the time being anyway.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
So true
December 12, 2008 - 19:57 ET by BKeyserThis is one stinky cologne he's got on, huh?
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
December 12, 2008 - 20:02 ET by pocomocoWe have seen this before.
The death threat claim is usually the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Well,
December 12, 2008 - 20:11 ET by BarkerIt might be his wife saying "I could just kill you Rahm!"
Barker... ROFL! ...now
December 12, 2008 - 20:13 ET by bigtimerBarker...
ROFL!
...now that is a threat!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
How's This
December 12, 2008 - 20:13 ET by considerthisCooperation Obama-style.
Rahm Rahm Rahm
December 12, 2008 - 20:16 ET by BarkerRahm Rahm I Ran
What happened to Rahmbo?
December 12, 2008 - 21:04 ET by The Central ScrutinizerWhat happened to Rahmbo? The political killing machine who was going to be Obama's "enforcer"? The fear of being thrown under the Obama Bus, for his role in the sordid Blago affair, has reduced him to hiding behind his daughters' ballerina skirts. So long, Rahmbo. Hello, Ballerino.
Oh, this is going to be fun
December 12, 2008 - 21:48 ET by Vonuhe told some cameraman yesterday he's receiving death threats
13 words later, So maybe he is advised from legal counsel not to speak to the press and not to say anything
Freedom is a vital component of human effectiveness and fulfillment.
Remember
December 12, 2008 - 22:29 ET by BarkerEven the most cynical FBI agents were said to have been shocked and disgusted by the level of corruption they saw and heard. Evidently, there were some pretty effin' heated arguments about the price for doing business.
Dead fish indeed.
Yo, ballet-boy...
December 12, 2008 - 23:30 ET by cest moi...dance your way out of this.
Death threats
December 13, 2008 - 10:12 ET by poxoma"Which would be the safer place to be for a political figure who's received death threats?:
a. A school concert in a public venue.
b. A press conference in the company of the President-elect of the United States of America."
I say (b) is the answer if the president elect Obama is the ONE who threatens Emanuel if he dares to TALK.
Rahm is afraid to go to
December 13, 2008 - 22:12 ET by TN MomRahm is afraid to go to press conferences, can't go to the transition office?? Bull! The SS will protect him. Or, he can do conference calls with reporters and release the audio.
You can run, but you cannot hide!
Attn: MSM, Where, oh, where is all the Open & Transparency Obama promised??!
Has anyone else noticed that no high-ranking supporters (except MSM) have come forward to support Obama/Rham/Jarrett/Axelrod: Where is Hillary, Biden, Bill Clinton, Pelosi, Reid?? No one to speak on obama's (team obama) absoute innocence with regarding Blago? I thought for sure Oprah might stand by her man? I think they are all really scared it's true!
Sure is quiet!
Maybe since they can't blame some vast right-wing conspiricy....
Biden
December 15, 2008 - 04:31 ET by Nortohas been mysteriously absent from the public eye. I wonder if he is scared of something? LBJ vaulted to power when the last One was shot. Where has Joe been?