A version of this piece appeared on Rum, Romanism and Rebellion.
When Raúl Grijalva's name started to tumble off of "the shortlist" for Interior last week, I started to wonder about the role of Rahm Emanuel in the release of other names, and even in the shenanigans that went on in the offer for a Ways and Means slot.
Now that Ken Salazar's appointment to Interior has been all but confirmed, I have to ask, did Emanuel scuttle Grijalva's nomination?
My reason for this is simple, Emanuel has had no use for Grijalva for a long time, dating back to Emanuel's time as head of the DCCC. Emanuel was known to put a lot of pressure on members to help with fundraising, and that wasn't something that Grijalva likes doing, even, as some of his aides will tell you, for his own campaign. Emanuel made it clear he was dissatisfied with Grijalva not pulling his weight, and Grijalva made it clear that he didn't appreciate the pressure. Given the personalities involved, I'm sure the discussions involved a wee bit of profanity. Let's just say it didn't go uphill from there.
Talk is that Barack Obama had his shortlist, and Emanuel had his own shortlist that did not include Grijalva. Other names that ended up in the media likely came from Emanuel, and talk is that he may have aranged for Nancy Pelosi to make the offer for Ways and Means as a consolation prize to keep Grijalva quiet.
Well, as many of us here in Baja Arizona can tell you: you can't keep Grijalva quiet. His "shortlisting" has increased his national profile. He refused the Ways and Means post, which keeps him on the Natural Resources Committee, where he will still have a platform and can keep an eye on Salazar. I know some environmental groups are wary of Salazar, but I am willing to give the guy a chance. Of course, I trust the guy a bit more now that I'm sure Raúl will be looking over his shoulder.
Nice try, Rahm.