Emanuel, Dean End Hostilities

(NEWSER) - Howard Dean didn't get the health cabinet post he wanted, and doesn't want the job that's open—surgeon general—but is pushing President Obama's health-care plan just the same, the Washington Times reports. "Democrats can’t cave," says the former doc. Obama’s plan is "perfect," and since it stresses choice it should be "right up the Republicans' alley." If the GOP wants to filibuster, he adds, "be my guest and let’s see how they do in 2010." More»

In face of Super PACs, Obama cuts off committees

(NEWSER) - For Democrats who President Obama showered with cash in 2008 and 2010, well, they'd better get ready to raise their own darn money this time around. As in the last two election cycles, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi recently asked the Obama for America campaign and the Democratic National Committee for $30 million for the Democrats' senatorial and congressional campaign committees, Politico reports. But in meetings last week with top Obama aides, Reid and Pelosi were told that this time they were out of luck. More»

But numbers don't include independent groups

(NEWSER) - Republicans appear to be on the ropes in the race to raise money for the 2012 election—depending on how you look at it. The Republican National Committee, Congressional Committee, and Senatorial Committee raised a combined $105 million through July—compared to $129 for their Democratic counterparts, Politico reports. The major reason? The DNC is trouncing the RNC, thanks to copious fundraising from President Obama . Republicans argue that even being close is impressive, given the president’s inherent advantage. More»

David Brooks: His reputation as a hothead is 'vastly overstated'

(NEWSER) - Rahm Emanuel's larger-than-life caricature as a hot-headed politician prone to throwing temper tantrums and lobbing F-bombs is "vastly overstated," writes David Brooks. Emanuel is actually quite thick-skinned, and while he is a "professional strategist" for sure, "he is not one of these cold-eyed tacticians who is always hedging his bets," writes Brooks in the New York Times . "He speaks the language of loyalty and commitment, not the language of calculations and self-interest." More»

Obama makes his chief of staff's exit official

(AP) - President Barack Obama said a bittersweet goodbye today to the energetic and fierce manager of his White House, chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and elevated a quiet and seasoned adviser, Pete Rouse, to the most important gate-keeping job in American politics. "We could not have accomplished what we've accomplished without Rahm's leadership," Obama said. Emanuel is departing after nearly two grueling years to run for Chicago mayor. More»