There are few politicians shrewder or tougher than Rahm Emanuel, my Chicago Northside neighbor. His leadership of the Democrats' efforts to regain control of the House paid off handsomely last November for the Democrats, enhancing his clout. His brother Ari Emanuel is a Hollywood über-agent reportedly the basis for the manic agent Ari Gold portrayed by Jeremy Piven in HBOs series Entourage. Ari has been a powerhouse fundraiser for the Democrats in Hollywood.As a team, the Emanuel boys are a force of nature within the Democratic Party. Until now, they were firmly in the Clintons camp, and had to be counted a major asset for the Hillary campaign for president.But Michelle Caruso of the New York Daily News reports reports today thatA spokesman for the Endeavor agency head confirmed [Ari] Emanuel "will be doing some sort of event [for Obama] in February."It looks to me as though the Emanuel boys are pulling off a skilful straddle. If Barack starts to pull away, it...(Read Full Post)