Man bites dog: Rahm gets a tongue-lashing

Long Island Jewish leader tells listeners what he thinks of Obama's chief of staff.

Published September 17, 2009 5:24PM (EDT)

Few people in Washington have the foul-mouthed bulldog reputation that Obama consigliere Rahm Emanuel does. It doesn't matter if you're a governor, member of Congress, consultant, operative--whoever you are, be prepared for an earful if you cross Emanuel or disappoint him. And you'd better be tough and in the right if you're gonna bark him down.

Apparently, Jewish leader Stephen Savitsky, president of the Orthodox Union in Long Island, has such guts. As Politico's Ben Smith reports, Savitzy let a local audience know he doesn't think Emanuel's behavior is appropriate. "It has been broadly reported in the media that Emanuel uses foul words and, from a religious Jewish point of view, that is unbecoming for anyone, let alone an adviser to the president (mishneh l'melech)," said Savitzy.


By Thomas Schaller

Thomas F. Schaller is professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the author of "Whistling Past Dixie: How Democrats Can Win Without the South." Follow him @schaller67.

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