Democratic strategist David Axelrod pushed for U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel to become the new chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
“If they said, ‘Well, what should we do? Who should lead the party?’ I would take Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and I would bring him back from Japan, and I would appoint him chairman of the Democratic National Committee,” Axelrod said Tuesday on his podcast “Hacks on Tap.”
“He is the most skillful political kind of in-fighter in the Democratic Party … He’s been a member of Congress, he’s been White House chief of staff, he’s been the mayor of Chicago. Now, he’s been ambassador to Japan, and he ran, in 2005 and [2006], the campaign to take back the House when Democrats were trying to take back the House of Representatives,” Axelrod continued.
Emanuel is a veteran Washington insider, having served three Democratic presidents. He holds a reputation as a high-energy political operative who often uses colorful and profane language.
He sparked a small diplomatic crisis in September after posting snarky comments about China’s foreign minister and defense minister.
Emanuel was confirmed to serve as ambassador in December 2021. He represented Illinois in the House from 2003 to 2009 and then became former President Obama’s chief of staff until 2010. He served as Chicago’s mayor from 2011 to 2019.
He’s told people he plans to leave his position in Tokyo in November.
When Vice President Harris was campaigning, it was rumored that Emanuel could be tapped as her national security adviser.
As the Democratic Party grapples with its brutal election losses, the question about who will lead the DNC has arisen after it was reported DNC chair Jaime Harrison will not seek another term.
“He knows how to do this, and he would be a presence in the media and so on, fearless about taking on Trump,” Axelrod added about Emanuel.
In a post on X, Axelrod said Democrats need a “strong and strategic” leader with experience in communications, fundraising and “winning elections.”
“There may be others but [Emanuel] is kind of sui genesis: Dude knows how to fight and win!” Axelrod’s post said.
