Emanuel Sticks Up For Petraeus At Veteran's Day Event

Mayor Rahm Emanuel offered his two cents Monday on the scandal involving former CIA Director David Petraeus, and the former White House chief of staff took a positive tone.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for David Petraeus, his service to the country, even while I disagree with policies when I was a congressman," Emanuel said at an unrelated Veteran's Day event. "And I will say this to David and his family and to everybody he's affected ... he can hold his head up high for having served his country admirably and for the lion share of his adult life."

Petraeus offered his resignation last week citing an extramarital affair, and NBC News reported that while investigating a possible case of cyber harassment, the FBI discovered emails suggesting an affair between Petraeus and his biographer.

Emanuel told reporters he doesn't think one act should define a person's entire career and said he has his own opinions about whether Petraeus should have resigned at all.

"You are judged by the entirety of work in your lifetime and Dave Petraeus has served his country not only admirably but selflessly," he said. "And I've disagreed with him on policy, both in the White House and when I was a congressman."

Emanuel certainly disagreed with him regarding the White House. Chicago Magazine's Carol Felsenthal points out Emanuel made had a special Rahmfather-style talk with Petraeus to make sure the military officer didn't run for president against Barack Obama in 2012.

Felsenthal reports Emanuel got assurances that Petraeus “had no intention of running for president" then offered him slot of the grand marshal of Chicago’s Memorial Day parade.

The two marched down State Street together earlier this year.

Contact Us