Rahm Emanuel says Pelosi should be Speaker: ‘Rookies need not apply’

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D), who tangled with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) throughout his time as White House chief of staff and as a member of the House, on Wednesday released a statement backing Pelosi for Speaker.

“I have worked with Nancy Pelosi in Congress, and I have clashed with Nancy Pelosi as White House chief of staff,” Emanuel said in a statement. “I know a tough negotiator when I see one.” 

{mosads}He added that he has the “utmost respect for Pelosi,” whose bid for the gavel has been complicated by a small but vocal contingent of her caucus who say they will not support her.  

>⁦@RahmEmanuel⁩ comes out for ⁦@NancyPelosi⁩.

A lot to unpack here. Yes, as rahm notes, he clashed w Pelosi. He was also seen as a potential speaker at one point. pic.twitter.com/xP9UCyhhln

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 21, 2018

Emanuel in the statement presented Pelosi as the best option to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and President Trump.

“Nancy Pelosi is as tough and cagey as McConnell is ruthless and Trump is unprincipled,” Emanuel wrote. “It is time for a Speaker that can go toe-to-toe with both of them in support of Democratic values.” 

“Rookies need not apply,” he concluded. “Let’s keep our eye on the prize.” 

Emanuel and Pelosi have clashed at various points, particularly over the issue of former President Obama’s signature legislation, ObamaCare. Emanuel as Obama’s chief of staff circulated a plan to pull back from the issue of health care, but Pelosi insisted they stay the course. 

“Mr. President, I know there are some on your staff who want to take the namby-pamby approach,” Pelosi said, according to two people who were in the room, Time Magazine reported. “That’s unacceptable.”  

Many Democrats in recent days have come out in support of Pelosi, even those who have criticized her publicly. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), who some Democrats had encouraged to run against Pelosi for Speaker, on Tuesday released a statement backing her.

There are currently 16 Democrats who have signed onto a letter saying they will not vote for Pelosi.