The Democratic Kabuki Dance

CT

Rahm "Rahmbo" Emanuel, the White House CoS select, took an opportunity to today to "embrace" his Republican colleagues in a kumbyah session on the Hill. Emanuel expressed an openness to his Republican associates from the Senate by having a 30 minute meeting with their leadership. He also went a bit further and held dialogue with House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.)and later House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.).

Emmanuel stated,

"We welcome their ideas and their concepts." "It's challenging times economically. The middle class is working harder, earning less and paying more. The challenges facing the country require that people of both parties work together to solve those problems."

"I told them that I welcome their ideas, be that in their area of education, health care, taxes, energy policy, national security," Emanuel added. "Give us those ideas, because we are formulating what we're going to do in the Obama administration."

All of the "great feelings" and "teamwork attitudes" were reciprocated for the cameras by the Republican leadership.

Sen. John Ensign (Nev.), chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, said Emanuel demonstrated "a really good attitude about wanting to work with us"

However, while everyone was making nice-nice, a significant event of a very non-partisan nature occurred. California Rep. Henry A. Waxman dethroned longtime Energy and Commerce Chairman, Rep John Dingell of Michigan. Waxman is a noted Beverly Hills representing environmentalist of Gorian proportions, and a staunch advocate of environmental controls being imposed on industry and manufacturing.

With Congressional appointments, such as this one, Cabinet picks like Eric Holder and Rahm Eamnuel, it is difficult to see the bipartisan handwriting on the wall. If I were a betting man I would wager that in the meetings on the Hill today, Emanuel explained to the Republican leadership how things are going to be. And in usual lap-dog fashion they were obviously more than eager to please by singing Emanuel's praises in front of the cameras.

Here is an idea for our already beleaguered Republican leaders, try having a backbone and fight. Maybe a comment like, " We look forward to the new Administration's openness to our Conservative ideas." That might get the point across to Emanuel and the gang as to what they can expect from Republicans.