Emanuel and 3 Pals Never Miss Their Morning Calls

Emanuel, Carville, Begala, Stephanopoulos talk every day

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Jan 27, 2009 10:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel may have his hands full these days, but not too full to touch base every single morning with three longtime pals: James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, and Paul Begala, reports Politico. The four Dems never skip the chance to trade information and gossip, often in shorthand, often as early as 6am. “I refer to it as the 17-year-long conference call,” says Emanuel. “You can tap into it anytime you want.”

“They talk like they are girls,” says Carville’s wife, Mary Matalin. “The conversations start in the middle and they end in the middle.” All four are veterans of Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, and have been in and out of power since. They’ve become so reliant on each other for advice and information that if Emanuel is tied up he will call just to shout: “I can’t talk right now!”

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

James Carville and Paul Begala on the cover of their book, "Buck Up, Suck Up, and Come Back When You Foul Up." (amazon.com)

Rep. Rahm Emanuel D-Ill., center, talks on his cell phone before leaving his local congressional office for the night, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., talks on his cell phone at his local congressional office, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 in Chicago (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

George Stephanopoulos makes a speech in honor of author Mark Katz at the party to celebrate the publication of his new book Clinton & Me on February 11, 2004 in New York City. (Getty Images)

Political pundit James Carville, prior to Oscar De La Hoya's welterweight boxing match against WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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James Carville's inspirational speech to staff at the conclusion of the 1992 Presidential Election campaign. (swimtool)

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We talk so much — was this my idea that James changed, or was this George’s observation that Rahm tweaked? - Paul Begala

I refer to it as the 17-year-long conference call. You can tap into it anytime you want. - Rahm Emanuel

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Emanuel and 3 Pals Never Miss Their Morning Calls