Rahm Unsuccessfully Nixes Steven Colbert



Rahm Emanuel, the thumotically-aggressive author of the House Democrat Party victory in 2006 (and student of The Ballet), surprised everyone when he did not campaign for Majority Whip, a position he earned. But in stepping aside so that the African-American Congressman James Clyburn could take the position, he showed political maturity and a respect for the history of the role of blacks in the Democratic Party victory. Instead, he accepted the number 4 position -- Chair of the DCCC -- in the Democratically controlled House. As a result, his power -- although not his respect among his peers -- is not as great. It is no surprise that when faced with being "on message," and scoring a little fame, the newly-elected Democrats went in for the fame. And Steven Colbert is having a heck of a time with these political neophytes on his show. From TheHill:

"Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the Democratic Caucus chairman, has told new Democratic members of Congress to steer clear of Stephen Colbert, or at least his satirical Comedy Central program, 'The Colbert Report.'

"'He said don’t do it … it's a risk and it’s probably safer not to do it,' said Rep. Steve Cohen. But the freshman lawmaker from Tennessee taped a segment that last week was featured in the 32nd installment of the 'Better Know a District' series. Colbert asked Cohen whether he was a black woman. He isn’t.

"Eyes (but thankfully, not heads) roll in Emanuel’s office when other freshmen stumble, such as the time Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) got into a debate about the merits of throwing kittens into a wood-chipper, or when Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) explained that he is not his predecessor, convicted felon Bob Ney (R).

"The freshmen respect Emanuel, but they don’t always follow his orders."

And Steven Colbert is laughing all the way to the bank, thanking The Gods of Comedy for the 2006 election and the infusion of "fresh meat!"