Felsenthal Files - August 2012

08/31/12

The Illinois Delegation—and Its No-Shows—at the RNC in Tampa

Illinois couldn’t be bluer, so not surprisingly we were nowhere near the stage at the just concluded Republican National Convention in Tampa. Still, there were some key attendees—and a few interesting no-shows—at the GOP fest.

Posted at 02:01 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (2)

08/29/12

Paul Ryan and Rahm Emanuel— Friendlier than You Might Think?

No matter the fate of the Romney ticket this November, Paul Ryan—who is scheduled to deliver the biggest speech of his life on Wednesday night in Tampa—is sure to try down the line for the nomination for the top spot. And my guess is that Congressman Ryan and our own Mayor Rahm Emanuel could end up running against each other for president—if not in 2016, then in 2020. Here, a look at what the two men have in common...

Posted at 01:23 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (0)

08/24/12

Joe Ricketts and the New Anti-Barack Film, '2016: Obama's America'

Rahm Emanuel threw a hissy fit in May when he learned of the involvement of Joe Ricketts, whose children own the Cubs, in a proposed harshly anti-Obama ad that revisited the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy of the 2008 election. Ricketts is back, this time as an investor in a new Barack-bashing film called 2016: Obama's America.

Posted at 11:12 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (3)

08/21/12

New Politico Book, 'Obama's Last Stand,' Describes West Wing Chicago Dysfunction

The popular political website’s senior White House reporter has compiled lots of juicy tidbits in Obama’s Last Stand—many from unnamed sources—about the president’s insiders. Among the Chicago players mentioned are Rahm Emanuel, Bill Daley, Valerie Jarrett, and David Axelrod...

Posted at 02:58 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (0)

08/16/12

Is Bob Dold Running Away from Paul Ryan?

Could Mitt Romney’s VP choice render Dold—who voted for Ryan’s budgets in 2010 and 2011—a one-termer?

Posted at 01:53 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

08/13/12

My Neighbor's Surprise Meeting With Obama at Piccolo Sogno

While in town for four Sunday fundraisers, the president sees a woman who hosted one of his first fundraisers as a Senate candidate, and demonstrates character and memory that runs counter to his icy image.

Posted at 10:34 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (3)

08/09/12

Blago's GOP Flirtations and Other Juicy Stories in New Book 'Golden'

In their upcoming book on Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Tribune reporters Jeff Coen and John Chase write that the former gov once threatened to fire an aide if he revealed a secret: that Blago had voted for George H.W. Bush. “If you ever repeat this, first I’ll deny it, secondly I’ll wait a little bit, then I’ll fire you,” Rod had told the aide...

Posted at 01:42 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (0)

08/08/12

Fred Eychaner and Ken Griffin, Chicagoans on Top Donors Lists

Lists just out from Politico ranking donors to the two presidential candidates show that, on the Democratic side, Chicagoan Fred Eychaner ranks number one. On the GOP side, at number nine with $2.3 million for Mitt Romney and other Republican PACs and candidates, is Chicago hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin...

Posted at 01:47 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

08/03/12

Rahm 'Super Hot for This'—the Mayor's Role in Solyndra

A House report released Thursday reveals Rahm Emanuel's role in the Obama administration's support of Solyndra, the solar panel maker that received a $535 million loan guarantee before going bankrupt last September...

Posted at 12:40 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (0)

	08/31/12 The Illinois Delegation—and Its No-Shows—at the RNC in Tampa Illinois couldn’t be bluer, so not surprisingly we were nowhere near the stage at the just concluded Republican National Convention in Tampa. Still, there were some key attendees—and a few interesting no-shows—at the GOP fest. Posted at 02:01 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (2)
	08/29/12 Paul Ryan and Rahm Emanuel— Friendlier than You Might Think? No matter the fate of the Romney ticket this November, Paul Ryan—who is scheduled to deliver the biggest speech of his life on Wednesday night in Tampa—is sure to try down the line for the nomination for the top spot. And my guess is that Congressman Ryan and our own Mayor Rahm Emanuel could end up running against each other for president—if not in 2016, then in 2020. Here, a look at what the two men have in common... Posted at 01:23 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	08/24/12 Joe Ricketts and the New Anti-Barack Film, '2016: Obama's America' Rahm Emanuel threw a hissy fit in May when he learned of the involvement of Joe Ricketts, whose children own the Cubs, in a proposed harshly anti-Obama ad that revisited the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy of the 2008 election. Ricketts is back, this time as an investor in a new Barack-bashing film called 2016: Obama's America. Posted at 11:12 AM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (3)
	08/21/12 New Politico Book, 'Obama's Last Stand,' Describes West Wing Chicago Dysfunction The popular political website’s senior White House reporter has compiled lots of juicy tidbits in Obama’s Last Stand—many from unnamed sources—about the president’s insiders. Among the Chicago players mentioned are Rahm Emanuel, Bill Daley, Valerie Jarrett, and David Axelrod... Posted at 02:58 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	08/16/12 Is Bob Dold Running Away from Paul Ryan? Could Mitt Romney’s VP choice render Dold—who voted for Ryan’s budgets in 2010 and 2011—a one-termer? Posted at 01:53 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (1)
	08/13/12 My Neighbor's Surprise Meeting With Obama at Piccolo Sogno While in town for four Sunday fundraisers, the president sees a woman who hosted one of his first fundraisers as a Senate candidate, and demonstrates character and memory that runs counter to his icy image. Posted at 10:34 AM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (3)
	08/09/12 Blago's GOP Flirtations and Other Juicy Stories in New Book 'Golden' In their upcoming book on Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Tribune reporters Jeff Coen and John Chase write that the former gov once threatened to fire an aide if he revealed a secret: that Blago had voted for George H.W. Bush. “If you ever repeat this, first I’ll deny it, secondly I’ll wait a little bit, then I’ll fire you,” Rod had told the aide... Posted at 01:42 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (0)
	08/08/12 Fred Eychaner and Ken Griffin, Chicagoans on Top Donors Lists Lists just out from Politico ranking donors to the two presidential candidates show that, on the Democratic side, Chicagoan Fred Eychaner ranks number one. On the GOP side, at number nine with $2.3 million for Mitt Romney and other Republican PACs and candidates, is Chicago hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin... Posted at 01:47 PM in Felsenthal Files News & Politics \| Permalink \| Comments (1)
	08/03/12 Rahm 'Super Hot for This'—the Mayor's Role in Solyndra A House report released Thursday reveals Rahm Emanuel's role in the Obama administration's support of Solyndra, the solar panel maker that received a $535 million loan guarantee before going bankrupt last September... Posted at 12:40 PM in Felsenthal Files \| Permalink \| Comments (0)