* As usual, Congressman Bobby Rush throws down the gauntlet…
“I must admonish the media to end its coordinated commentary on who will be the next mayor of the city of Chicago,” Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) said in a statement, alluding to his African American constituents’ ability to influence the race. “Whoever that person will be will have to come through my community….before anyone is deemed an imaginary front-runner in this particular race, they should pause and take that into consideration.”
Make no mistake about it, race will play a huge role in this campaign. Period. There’s no getting around this, no matter how distasteful Rush’s tactics can be. The question becomes whether black politicos can rally around one person. I don’t see that yet, partly because there’s a growing old/young split in the African-American leadership. But there’s a lot of time left. Pretty much the same thing goes for Latinos.
* David Axelrod told ABC News that Rahm Emanuel would have the president’s blessing if he went for the mayor’s job…
“The mayoralty in Chicago is an unbelievealy attractive opportunity,” Axelord said in a West Wing interview. “And I’m sure if Rahm decides to do that, the President will support that decision.”
* He’s definitely laying the groundwork with targeted leaks…
But staffers at the White House expect that Emanuel will run, one administration official said, recalling what the chief of staff said several weeks ago: “If and when Rich doesn’t run, I’ll do it.”
* Sabato may not be right about this point…
One analyst said he doesn’t think Chicago voters would blame Emanuel for failures in Obama’s political strategy, or for Democrats’ poor performance in the midterms.
“If there’s one place that wouldn’t matter, it’d be Chicago,” said Larry Sabato, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, adding that city voters would view his Washington relationships as assets. “’This guy has connections that could do us a lot of good.’ That’s how they think.”
We don’t know what the situation will look like on November 3rd, and if it’s really bad and Emanuel is still in the White House then the mayor’s spot will look like a consolation prize for a horrible loser. That could definitely hurt him. Plus, the Chicago media is not going to give this guy a free ride just because the DC media is all focused on him. It’s just about the toughest town in the news biz, and Rahm ain’t gonna coast through by any means. For example, here’s Lynn Sweet’s lede…
While White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is lionized in Washington, he would not start a mayoral race in Chicago automatically first in line to replace Mayor Daley.
Bloomberg Chicago…
“I don’t think there is such a thing as frontrunner,” said JPMorgan Chase & Co. Midwest Chairman William Daley, the mayor’s brother, a former U.S. commerce secretary and an Emanuel friend.
Other political experts agree that the opening is likely to attract a large number of candidates and that Emanuel, who still owns a home in the city, wouldn’t have the field to himself.
“He’s an opportunist, but he’s got his work cut out for him,” said John McCarron, an urban affairs writer and adjunct professor at DePaul University in Chicago.
And Phil Kadner…
Already, ethnic leaders (black, Hispanic, Polish and Irish) are carving up the countryside like tribal chiefs in some medieval kingdom.
* Keep in mind that whoever runs for mayor will need access to field operations and money…
Emanuel has a million dollars in his campaign fund and formidable fund-raising ability, giving him a running start against rivals — if he jumps in the contest. Emanuel, a former House member from a district anchored on the North Side, is without a solid political base in Chicago. The unions and other progressives are mad at him over national issues that would seep into a mayoral contest.
Emanuel would have to do a lot of work to get Democratic committeemen to unite around his candidacy — but he knows a thing or two about coalition building.
* The Tribune has a comprehensive list of most of the candidates who are being talked about. More from CBS2…
Right now, there are more names being floated than ABC’s in a vat of alphabet soup. We’re hearing boomlets for City Council powerhouse Ed Burke, Chief Judge Tim Evans and even County Assessor Jim Houlihan… If elected, Huberman would be Chicago’s first openly gay mayor. But back in April, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said he would be interested in holding that distinction. He said he would be interested in “exploring the possibility” of running for mayor if Daley retired.
Sun-Times…
Gery Chico, 54, who lost a race for Senate to Barack Obama, was appointed by Daley recently to head up the City Colleges of Chicago. Chico says he’s seriously considering a run, even though he just recently gave away the last of his campaign funds to charity.
“My phone’s been ringing all day with people urging me to run — it’s something I’m very seriously considering,” Chico said.
Freshman Rep. Mike Quigley isn’t ruling out a run. About the only one who flat-out said no was former Chicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas, who has another year left on his contract running the New Orleans schools.
* And Zorn makes a good point…
I’m skeptical that any one alderman has the appeal and political ability to be a strong challenger, but maybe that’s just me.
* Mark Brown handicaps the field…
If Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart becomes a candidate as expected, he quickly becomes the favorite and shuts the door on a number of hopefuls. He’s riding a wave of good press, appeals to both Machine types and Independents and hasn’t burned his bridges in the African-American community.
But he won’t scare everyone off.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel won’t be backed down by a Dart candidacy — and vice versa. Just the same, Emanuel doesn’t seem well-positioned at this moment to make a run, and while he’d be the best-funded candidate, it’s not entirely clear where he finds his niche.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan could throw everything up for grabs if she were interested, though she has never indicated she would be.
If African-American voters were to unite around a candidate as they did with Washington, they could put that individual in the runoff. But if they could agree on a candidate, Daley probably wouldn’t have been mayor for 21 years.
* And Kass makes a good point about what Chicago could be in for…
With Daley’s announcement, Burke will gain power, as the aldermen seek to reassert themselves after spending decades stamping Daley’s writs with their rubber foreheads.
Uncertainty and anarchy scares the business community more than just about anything else. It’s bad enough that the state can’t get its act together. If the city’s politics fall apart, then biz leaders are gonna freak.
* Roundup…
* Daley might retire with extra $1.5M: As of June 30, the mayor had $1,479,823 left in his campaign fund. And under state law, he can claim that as income as long as he pays taxes on it.
* Key dates, requirements on road to Daley’s successor
* Advisers cried, Daley choked up behind scenes
* One hell of a mayor, but Daley makes right call to say so long
* Daley faces aldermen for first time since big announcement
* Did Daley’s hits outweigh his misses?
* Daley’s reign a bit cloudy, a bit sunny
* Murders down, but violence still plagues areas of city
* Most Chicago violent crime numbers down
* Blame the gangs?
* Business leaders laud city’s progress
* Daley reforms revitalized a failing CPS
* Marin: Daley we thought we knew surprises us again
* Mayor knew, nurtured city’s soul
* Daley a father figure for Chicago
* A mayor who showed his love
* Daley announcement not so stunning, really
* Chicago after Daley
* Willis Tower, Macy’s, and life without Daley
* Timeline of Daley’s life, career
* Bridgeport reacts to Daley’s decision
- George2 - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:20 am:
Maybe Quinn will run after he loses on Nov 2nd. Though it is not realistic to think he would be viable after being such a failure as Governor in Pat’s mind he would be able to blame his defeat on a variety of other factors. He is so detached from reality that it is entirely possible.
- tubbfan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:26 am:
I’m curious how this will affect the various state legislators who will no longer have to tow the Daley line in Springfield. Will this mean that much more power for Madigan?
- in the know - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:29 am:
My question involves the potential confrontation between Latinos, who perhaps think their day has come, and the African Americans, who have reached the political promise land and liked it. Anita Alvarez shows the path to success in a multi-person field. Though equivilent in population, AA’s probabaly still hold an advantage in registered voters. Among the many interesting story lines, this is the one I’ll be watching most closely.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:29 am:
Can Rahm move federal campaign money into this race without it looking bad?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:32 am:
Dart’s been running for something other than sheriff for a long, long time. If he gets in early and sticks, a lot of white candidates will take a pass. His big worry is Lisa M., who probably clears the white field if she gets in.
What a dreary list of nobodies. Aldermen? Gerry Chico? Give me a break.
I think it’s hilarious that Axelrod weighs in for Emanuel. It must feel good to be talking about something again where you’re not obviously overmatched, like he is in his current job.
I thought Rahm was going to be Speaker of the House? Or quarterback for the Bears? Or first man on Mars? Obviously, whatever the guys wants is just his for the taking in his mind.
Is there one black candidate to rally around? I don’t see it yet. Triple J has to be kicking himself for his Blago dalliance.
- someting to consider - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:42 am:
I still think valerie jarrett makes the most sense she would not be directly blamed for economic failures if they are still there late this year (unlike Rahm) she knows city politics and city government. Lastly she would be popular with the business community and the ethnic communities!
- Corduroy Bob - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:47 am:
Wait. Wait. Did Bobby Rush just play the race card? I’m shocked.
- buckop - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:48 am:
Where is Rod when we need him?
- lakeview - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:53 am:
a) I can’t see Valerie Jarrett doing much retail campaigning, and Chicagoans love retail campaigning.
b) If Anita Alvarez wants to run, won’t she have to move? I thought she lived in River Forest. That, alone, would be enough to keep her out of the race.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:53 am:
The political landscape changes Nov. 2nd. There will be new opportunities and new signs regarding politics. Revolutions have a domino effect. This election occurs after the New Congress is seated.
If there is still a can-do positive atmophere politically for the changes expected to come, then this will impact Chicago towards a bigger change than we can imagine today.
Voters just may wish to clean house in Chicago and bring it into the 21st Century. The candidate that best represents this desire for change may win regardless of race party or previous political ties.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 10:58 am:
VMan, another revolution? You have one of those every couple of weeks. I thought they were seminal events. I’m still searching for the Gingrich Revolution you talk about so much.
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:04 am:
Rich, will you support my run for mayor sinc eyou abandonned me in my race for 2 month senator?
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:05 am:
Voters may wish to clean house but what choices will they have come the primary/general? The back room deals and slating process will prevent most good folk from being considered, I fear.
Then, again, Bobby Rush has spoken and we must all heed. All Hail The Great One. Oh, Prunella.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:06 am:
Wumpus, I need to talk with Bill first.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:08 am:
DD, who are the “good folk” who will be prevented from running by this sinister cabal? Names?
- siriusly - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:10 am:
I don’t have a favorite on that list, but I do have some advice for Gery Chico. You’re like the latino Dan Hynes. You don’t connect with voters nor do you inspire them in any way. It doesn’t mean you’re not smart and it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be a great mayor - but I do think it means you’re a horrible candidate.
Save yourself the agony Mr. Chico, stop your campaign before it starts.
- Honest Abe - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:10 am:
Anita Alvarez of River Forest could be first resident of that village to run for Chicago mayor since Judge Edward F. Dunne relocated from that suburb to run for mayor in 1905.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:11 am:
Rich will need to hire 4 interns now and a bigger wheel barrow….
Rich has some voodoo dolls somewhere he is using to wreak political havoc in IL……
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:16 am:
CBob: I’m with you…I think this race will come down to one thing as per usual: $Money$ of which Emanuel has plenty…if the unions come out to support him, he wins hands down…
- Logical Thinker - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:21 am:
The more I think about, the more this comes down to a ground game in the mayoral election. Who has the best operation (that is still intact) and who can get out the most votes? I disagree with Rich that the Nov. 2nd elections will be a test only because the answer to the above question is in the Madigan/Burke wards and in the 19th ward. Both of these groups really has nothing to play for on 11/2. (Madigan hates AG and Hynes is connected to the 19th)
If Dart jumps in, he clears out a significant number of players because he’ll get both the support and the money from these organizations. He might not get 50% in the general, but he’ll be close enough to condense support as we get closer to the date.
The Latinos and the African-Americans just don’t have the operations to succeed this time around to win. They might in the future; but not now.
I hope Rahm jumps in; he’ll get creamed. When Bernie Stone is shooting across the bow of the USS Emanuel, you know the ship is going down.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:23 am:
LL,
Why do you believe that unions would support Rahm?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:26 am:
LL, I know one big union that won’t.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:26 am:
I think Berny Stone has to worry about getting reelected, he should not worry about Rahm Emanuel.
Quigley and Fritchey should not office hop, same for Claypool, they will look horrible if they do.
- belmont cragin kid - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:30 am:
Anita would have to have already moved to Chicago. The requirement is that candidates live here for one year prior to the election date. Foolish, since clearly Rahm hasn’t lived here but he kept (?) his voting address here and thus can run while Anita can’t. Any idea where David Hoffman lives?
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:32 am:
==Any idea where David Hoffman lives?==
Mars.
- hmm... - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:33 am:
Another candidate to consider is Jim Houlihan, he would get support in african american community and get some union and business support.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:36 am:
==Any idea where David Hoffman lives?==
Mt. Olympus? Asgard?
- fedup dem - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:36 am:
Someone needs to point out to Cong. Rush that here in the fall of 2010 the colors people need to worry about are not black and white but black and red, as in the colors of ink on governmental budgets.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:37 am:
Hoffman lives on Hoyne in Chicago.
- MOON - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:40 am:
I only hope people like Houlihan, Claypool and Fioretti run. Maybe then we will rid ourselves of their big egos and self importance. Its time we rid ourselfs of these goofs.
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:40 am:
Same thing.
- Will County Woman - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:42 am:
The field of black viable contenders is pretty small, non-existent practically. Truthfully there is not one black alderman who has anything substantive to run on. As I see it the possible black pol field is pretty weak.
Harold Washington was smart (NU Law) and charismatic.
Toni Preckwinckle could have been a viable black candidate, but she obviously not interested. She could have run decently on a reform/good government platform. And, she knows city government.
jesse jackson jr, could have had a shot, had he not gotten embattled in the the senate seat selling debacle. there’s nowhere for him to go politically, at least not in the near future.
If this all comes down to the top contenders being Tom Dart or Rahm Emmanuel, black pols really ought to coalesce around Tom Dart. he’s probably their best and only real hope. :)
- The Mad Hatter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:44 am:
In the space of 15 months we will have rid ourselves of the star clowns in all three circus rings — Chicago, Cook County and Illinois (Daley, Stroger and Bagotrix). Madigan is next. It really doesn’t matter who replaces any of them, as their corrupt mismanagement leaves nothing but debt for their successors to deal with. I like Waguespeak’s idea of a forensic audit for all three governments. It would be wonderful to see what crawls out when those rocks are upended.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:44 am:
I know that Rahm had an issue with home improvement non union workers at his home in Chicago, but if Daley and Gannon throw him their support, he pretty much has it wrapped up.
I know Irish loyalty counts for alot in Chicago, but the business community, IMO will choose another business man like Emanuel to rally behind. His ties to the Oval office and the influence he brings to bear won’t hurt him either.
In my opinion, he is the candidate to beat.
We shall see…
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:47 am:
Loop Lady, he said “F” the UAW.
That’s not going to go over well with a lot of people.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:52 am:
Bobby Rush is a self-important buffoon. If he really carried the influence that he claimes that he does, he would not need to announce it so often.
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:53 am:
Union members are one the most reviled in the current downturn. Witness the hateful comments of late on this very blog…the masses attention span is abysmally short…time will tell if and how deeply this rant hurts him…
- go Rahm - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 11:58 am:
Rham’s biggest problem is he doesn’t identify with the blue collar voter, and to them he’s “not really from chicago”, but i’d love to see him run and not even make the runoff
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:07 pm:
Little Dick is probably the only person left in Chicago who doesn’t hate Rahm. He’s just not a very nice guy and goes out of his way to be obnoxious and treat people badly. He doesn’t stand a chance. Yeah, he’s got a lot of cash but this one’s going to take a little more than that and Daley doesn’t have his army to help him anymore.
He’s toast if he runs. Bobby Rush has a better chance of being mayor.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:09 pm:
wordslinger
You have been dead wrong all year on the Tea Parties and on the midterms. Polls are showing a bigger change than in 2008. Your world is going to get rocked. I dont care what happens. All I know is something big is going to happen.
This will change this race in Chicago. It may fire up voters.
I am not a Newt fan. Do not lump me into that group. If you cannot handle my comments-tough. But my warnings have been right while you are still living in the past.
- Phil - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:20 pm:
Wordslinger: ROFL, probably the first time I’ve ever come across a reference to Asgard in this blog.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:41 pm:
This debate misses the one canidate who will draw the minority vote and the working class vote to steal the election, Blagojevich, Patti.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
Mayor of Chicago is not yet engraved on Roland Burris’ monument.
- Sacks Romana - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
This election is going to clearly demonstrate how broken Chicago’s electoral (not political) system is. After the challenges to petitions are over, and the dust settles, there still may be 5-8 candidates on the ballot for the February election. No one is going to take 50% of the vote, and the top two candidates go to a runoff. This system easily leads to a situation where someone gets to the second election in April even though a majority might support another candidate over them. Basically, we could see something like this:
Candidate A - 25%
Candidate B - 24%
Candidate C - 19%
Candidate D - 12%
Candidate E - 9%
Candidate F - 5%
Candidate G - 4%
Candidate H - 2%
But maybe everyone except the 25% supporting A would rather see D win over A. No one is going to worry about being the “frontrunner”, only being in the top two.
Combine this confusion with the historically low voter turnout in city elections (it’ll be lower than the midterm even with Daley vacating) and you have an absolutely insane situation that just about no one can predict.
These problems are awful every cycle with the Aldermanic races as well. The mayoral will this year will put it in sharp relief. Instant Runoff Voting would eliminate this problem pretty easily and would save taxpayers on holding a second election.
- Lakeview Larry - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:17 pm:
Has anyone considered that stepping down as mayor is the single best thing Daley could have done to create jobs in Chicago? Think of all the campaign aides, media buys, commercial shoots, foot soldiers, literature printing and distribution, etc. that will create short term jobs in the city.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:29 pm:
Word,
I am reminded about the time when Harold Washington died and the bloodletting that went on to choose first a temp mayor and then slating the person who ended up as the mayor for 21 years. Remember Gene Sawyer. All who knew him said he was a good, honest, ethical man. However, he had the personality of a warm glass of milk. Not exactly awe inspiring. Made perfect sense at the time since no one in the back rooms wanted someone who could be a contender when it came time to slate candidates in the general election. THe infighting in the AA community has been well described elsewhere - that community was split allowing for the Daley camp to make the move. All the usual back and forth of the Chicago rough and tumble politics. There were then, as now, folk who would make a good mayor but had neither the clout or the street army to make it happen. I am not saying that some annointed one should be brought to City Hall by some proclamation. Just stating my opinion.
I bet you could name some names of decent folk who could run the city well and ethically but have no chance of getting slated let alone being nominated/elected. David Orr is one name that comes to mind.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:50 pm:
– Remember Gene Sawyer. All who knew him said he was a good, honest, ethical man.–
LOL, if anyone did say that, they were kidding. Gene Sawyer got the nod because he was backed by Mell, Burke and black aldermen like the great Robert Shaw who had opposed Harold to begin with.
There was a great story back in the day of Mell, Shaw and Al Ronan meeting in the parking lot of the Blue Angels in Irving Park, doing the count on how many aldermen they could deliver for Sawyer to block Tim Evans and kill the “movement.”
Mell, Burke, Shaw, Ronan — I don’t think those are the “good folk” you’re hoping for.
- Will County Woman - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:58 pm:
Sacks you honestly think the first election post Daley jr, would be a low-voter turnout one? assuming that there are at least decent choices to pick from, i think you’ll see a robust turnout. besides, this is the first opportunity for the many unhappy chicagoans to have an impact in more than 20 years. this election will be very important, and it will rightly be reagarded as such by the masses.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:05 pm:
Word, you just proved my point, ICYDN.
I didn’t say Sawyer got the nod because he was one of the good guys. I mentioned that story to highlight the nature of the back room good ole boys who ran/run the show. I named Sawyer because he his a perfect example of how things are done in Chicago. Good guys being manuevered out of contention by hacks looking to control the show. Sawyer got the nod because he could be controlled, manipulated and, eventually, tossed aside when he tried to go for the ring and found out he had nothing and no one behind him.
BTW, I would have named Tim Evans, now Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, as one of the good guys - just forgot his name.
- CookDem - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:08 pm:
Rahm is not even the fronrunner in this race. If the race includes Tom Dart, Luis Guitierrez, Rev. Senator Meeks and a smattering of lesser known white, Black and Latino candidates there is no clear path to victory for Rahm. The primary vote is likely to be approximately 40% white, 40% Black and 20% Latino. Tom Dart gets at least half the white vote, Luis would capture the vast majority of Latino votes and Rahm has nowhere to go for votes. Rahm won’t make the run-off with half the white vote and a handful of Latinos. The most likely outcome is Luis Gutierrez or Tom Dasrt in a run-off with the leading Back candidate. BTW I am likely over-estimating the white vote and underestimating the Black vote. A plurality of voters in Chicago are Black. Very difficult math for Rahm and Greg Goldner to overcome. And I know for a fact that all the candidates I named are running. You do the math.
- CookDem - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:11 pm:
You want to see turnout will be like just look back to the last competitive mayoral race. Turnout will bill in the 80% range and there will be 20 new aldermen. Ed Burke, Dick Mell, John Pope among others are defeated by massive voter turnout. You can book it.
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:28 pm:
Word,
You just brought back some great memories of the good old days….back when politics was still legal and only the strong survived.
- ZC - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:46 pm:
How exactly does one poll a 17-candidate field, anyways? Any polling experts care to share their secrets? What a nightmare for any candidate trying to figure out if he / she is viable. Should we ignore all early public opinion polls on this race? Or pay very close attention, since they capture name recognition, which is gonna be key?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:55 pm:
…back when politics was still legal and only the strong survived.
I knew it all along. Bill is actually Jerry Butler.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:54 pm:
It may be fact, but it still needs to be criticized, Bobby Rush
is a racist and all the community code words are offensive.
who is the white candidate? oh, right, no one is blathering
about that cause it would be racist. so are you, Bobby.
- CookDem - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 5:27 pm:
Amalia,
You are aware that African Americans cannot be recist. Look up the definition. Congressman Rush may be many things but racist just isn’t possible. Be careful how you use that word.
- Emily Booth - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 7:07 pm:
I think Tom Tunney would make a great mayor. He’s the only one who impresses me of all the names mentioned.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 7:42 pm:
70% of Chicago is either latino or black, which means for the majority of people who want to be mayor (and isn’t one of these groups). Dart, Madigan, Hynes, Rahm, etc would have to gain support from the voting bloc. Look at the February, 2007 election and add the votes from the 20 Black Wards and 7 Latino Wards, versus the 11, 13, 14 and 19th! The North Side runs their mouth, but the north lakefront votes aren’t as great as the 27 minority ward votes. Forget the vote split drama, no one will get beyond 25%. This was like what is was for State’s Attorney in February, 2008!