David Axelrod
How David Axelrod Stays True To His Progressive Jewish Roots
“Balancing free speech on difficult topics that some might find offensive can be tricky to navigate, but it is essential to a democracy.”
Axelrod Shames Trump Over ‘North Korea’-Style Cabinet Praise-Singing
Axelrod, former President Obama’s lead political strategist, laced into Trump’s Cabinet meeting over what seemed like rehearsed praise.
Rahm Emanuel Emails Reveal Workaholic Ways — Even Amid Cubs Mania
It was the third game of the Giants-Cubs National League playoffs, going into extra innings. The winner of the best-of-seven series, which the Cubs led 2-1, would go on to the World Series. All of Chicago was watching that Wednesday evening, October 10, praying for the Cubs’ first World Series appearance since 1945 — but for one hardworking municipal leader toiling late into the night.
How Bibi Alienated All His Jewish Allies at the White House
When David Axelrod, then a senior adviser to President Barack Obama, first learned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had referred to him and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel as “self-hating Jews,” he remembers feeling stung.
Bagels and Ballots – Monday
Glass Half Full: With the election 29 days away, Democrats are gaining hope as polls make them out to be more competitive than they seemed over the summer. Or at least talking heads are saying so: As Axelrod said last week in Google/Politico’s election preview, “You’re going to see Democrats winning in places that you didn’t expect them to win…. I think we are going to win some races that you guys perhaps don’t think we’re going to win.” Strategists still expect Republican gains, but say their projected impact has diminished. This change in tone comes just as the Democratic National Committee posts record fundraising stats in this election cycle: $16 million in September. (Politico)
The Exodus
Rahm Emanuel is leaving, David Axelrod might be on his way out, Larry Summers will be gone by the fall, and Peter Orszag has already moved on.
Bagels and Ballots- Friday
-Philanthropist and liberal activist George Soros has been funding J Street, the Washington Times has revealed. Though J Street’s executive director, Jeremy Ben Ami, has denied any donations to the dovish group by Soros in the past, tax records reveal that Soros and his two children have contributed a total $245,000 to J Street from a Manhattan address in New York from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Jewish Influence in Capital Soars
It’s difficult to quantify whether Jews are in line to hold any sort of a record number of top positions in the Obama administration or the next Congress, but it’s clear that a large number of Jews stand to serve in key positions.
