Chris Matthews Wonders If Chicago Mayor’s Retirement Will Spur White House Shakeup

VIDEO

by Glenn Davis | 7:42 am, September 8th, 2010

» 6 comments

President Barack Obama’s poll numbers aren’t looking too good these days, and no matter how much of a thrill he gets up his leg when the man speaks, Chris Matthews knows it. And that’s why, after news broke today that Chicago mayor Richard Daley will retire at the end of his current term – opening a position White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has long coveted – Matthews couldn’t help but wonder if it would lead to just the kind of shakeup he feels the administration needs.

Matthews brought on NBC News political director Chuck Todd and New York Magazine’s John Heilemann to discuss. Todd noted that Emanuel said nothing today to indicate he won’t run, and that he needs to make a decision soon, lest he leave “filling the void” in Chicago to other prospective candidates. He also stressed that “there was going to be a reorganization of some form” among Obama staffers anyway, though doing anything immediately risks looking like they’re “throwing in the towel.”

Heilemann was more forceful, saying “a shakeup is necessary” and that “the Rahm thing is gonna be the trigger for that.” He said the most important thing for Obama in restructuring his staff is expanding his horizons:

“I think that as important as how big the name is, is the idea of getting someone from outside the inner circle…[Obama] trusts very few people, he takes advice from very few people…he needs to go to someone who will tell him unpleasant truths…say, ‘Listen buddy, you gotta get with the program here, I’m here to tell you things you don’t want to hear.’”

Indeed, even if an Emanuel run for mayor of Chicago would force Obama to revamp his staff not entirely on his terms, to hear Heilemann (and, apparently, the majority of Americans) tell it, working outside of his terms might be for the best. Video of the segment below.

barack obama, Chris Matthews, Chuck Todd, President Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, richard daley, richard daley retires

BatBoy

I am sure there are many Socialist to draw from in this country….they can start looking at our Universities!
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Rahm can bring the same disaster to Chicago he brought to Washington. He was already part of the corrupt Chicago machine. He can go back to ripping off the city.
JimBob

And I wonder how many time a day Chris Matthews has to change
his shirt and tie because of dampness ? Just a thought..
Might could say the same about the boxers, depending on how many
speeches he has heard by you know who.
niniqw12

Susan recommended me a nice community, ______ B l a c k w h i t e C u p i d * C 0 m ______ where black & white singles are looking for lovers to share interracial lifestyle with…. :D
BonnieY

Why do Hardball Chris Matthews and Countdown Keith Oblerman stand up and fight for the President and Democrates. When the democrates are running around acting like cowards. They do not stand up for each other. Between the billionaries and millionare Republicans (Bullies) and the yellow neck Democrates divining and destroying America who is really looking after the american people. American people are like children at worst shildsh, spoiled, and thrown tantums when things do not go their way. People like Glen Beck, Hannity, Palin and others, take advantage of the weak americans while filling their bank accounts with smiles on their faces. People like these do not care about American its the all powerful dollar and greed of sucking people in to a losing situation. Americans do not vote on facts they vote on emotions and what other people tell. Chris and Keith I would say should look the other way. Let the Republicans sweep the White House, allow the people to get what they are asking for a (corrupt system) once the wealthy republicans finish selling out America, sending our jobs back overseas and bringing in people to work for less and no health benefits. We deserve It.
BonnieY

I am not a good speller it not a spell check to check for miss spelled words but I think my point of view get across. As long as the republicans and democrates fight against one another we the people have little hope in achieving anything of substance. When I was a child republicans and democrates may not have agreed on everything but they respected one another and worked together for the people. Not for their own selfish ambition. Selling the americans out like cattle to the highest bidder. And we sit back and march to the slaughter house with open arms. Giving up our freedom. Instead the republicans and democrates should be fighting to bring jobs back to American. Put the people back to work open up the Steel Mills, Factories (appliances, funiture, shoes, toys, etc.) put the farmers back to work tilling their lands cows, pigs, chickens, and growing the fields with vegetables/fruits. Open back our stock yards stop bringing in all these foreign products thats making our people sick. Thats how you put America back to work. And Chris Matthew had it right all the time President Obama need to listen to him.