Rahm Emanuel did not build this new House alone.
Not only did he have help from the parallel efforts of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), but without Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy, the Democrats would not have been in position to benefit from the wave of support that emerged this fall. With staff already on the ground across the country, voters’ growing disaffection with the current administration could be translated into votes.
Locally Emanuel intervened in Henry Hyde’s district to replace Christine Cegelis, who had run two years ago without any national support and earned a respectable share of the votes. She deserved a chance to run again this year, this time in a Democratic climate and with support from the national party.
Instead Emanuel elbowed her aside for Tammy Duckworth–who lost.
Remaking the party in Emanuel’s image is not necessarily a ticket to victory, much less to honor.
