The Strange War Against Rahm

In what The New York Times' Jackie Calmes calls "one of the strangest odd-couplings since James Carville and Mary Matalin married," liberal blogger Jane Hamsher and conservative activist Grover Norquist have united to demand the removal of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Hamsher, who publishes firedoglake.com, has emerged as a leading voice among progressives who find themselves disillusioned with the Obama administration and its "sellout centrist policies." Hamsher and Norquist co-wrote a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday demanding an investigation into Emanuel's relationship with Freddie Mac, and calling for his immediate resignation. Emanuel served on Freddie Mac's board after he left the Clinton White House but before he ran for Congress; Hamsher and Norquist argue that Emanuel was complicit in the defrauding of Freddie Mac investors, and that Emanuel has since abused his power to cover it up.