Rahm profile in the WSJ

Rahm Emanuel, Teasing a White House Bid, Says Democratic Brand Is Weak

Great Rahm profile and interview in the WSJ:

“Rahm Emanuel, never humble about his political skills, is trying to accomplish something that seems far-fetched even for him: push his Democratic Party—rooted in the identity politics of the left—to the center.”

We asked Perplexity AI to summarize the article for you since it is behind the WSJ paywall. It did a bad job but we will still provide it for you:

bad AI Article Summary

Rahm Emanuel is a seasoned Democratic politician with a diverse career including roles as a U.S. congressman, White House chief of staff under President Obama, mayor of Chicago, and U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025. Known for his pragmatic and sometimes combative style, Emanuel has been openly critical of the current Democratic Party, describing its brand as "toxic," "fragile," and overly focused on left-leaning identity politics and culture wars, which he believes have alienated voters and contributed to electoral losses.

Emanuel is considering a run for president in 2028, positioning himself as a centrist alternative who wants to steer the party back toward more moderate, kitchen-table issues rather than political correctness and divisive cultural topics. He has expressed frustration with the party's recent direction and electoral defeats, emphasizing the need for a vision that champions America and addresses populist concerns rather than merely opposing Republicans. His political approach has drawn comparisons to Bill Clinton's centrist strategy in the 1990s.

Throughout his career, Emanuel has been recognized for his strategic political skills, notably as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee when Democrats regained control of the House in 2006. Despite some criticism from progressives for recruiting more moderate candidates, he remains a significant figure in Democratic politics.

In summary, Rahm Emanuel is a veteran Democratic leader seeking to reposition the party toward the center, with ambitions for a 2028 presidential run, advocating a focus on pragmatic policies that resonate with a broader electorate while criticizing the party's current leftward shift and cultural focus.