Would Obama have been more liberal without Rahm?

[Paul Kemp]

President Obama has been criticized by many for not pushing for more progressive or liberal legislation during his first two years in office while having a completely Democratic congress. In addition, former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has had numerous rifts with the left leaning elements of the Democratic Party, even calling them "fcuking retarded" reportedly. I believe Rahm was also the one to push for the individual mandate rather than single payer, which Obama supported in the past if I remember correctly. According to Bob Woodward, Emanuel was also instrumental in the drone policy. It seems like Emanuel set the tempo for the Obama presidency.

Had Rahm Emanuel not been Chief of Staff for the first two years would we have seen a more liberal President Obama?

I also wonder if we would still have had a Secretary of State Clinton without Rahm.

I had some additional comments on the topic but they got away from me. I'll fill them in later.

[Putting the 'red' in 'redneck' since 1991]

Obama is the most liberal possible president in the current political environment.

[Paul Kemp]

Obama is the most liberal possible president in the current political environment.

So that's a "no"?

[Formerly Californian Tony]

I like to think the roots of Obama's mistakes are deeper than one bad influence. That would be pretty sad if Rahm singlehandely convinced Obama to betray all the hope his voters had.