81 Comments - Gunner the Runner - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:04 pm: Best - Rahm - like him or not he can build a coalition which is a prerequisite for mayor. The trick is governing with the coalition. Worst - Hoffman or Collins - i think they would have good intentions but lets face it the city cant be run by goo-goos who dont know how to govern. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:05 pm: Best: Lisa Madigan Worst: Roland Burris (you know he will not take a pass on this) - phocion - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:06 pm: Rich, is the question who would be the best candidate or who would be the best Mayor? - Will County Woman - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:06 pm: In these troubled economic times, chicago needs a leader who is known for being calm, professional, statesman-like, with a go-getter postive attitude, who is not afraid to take on challenges and sincerely likes to make improvements. That sounds a whole lot like Tom Dart. Other than use profanity to excess and trying to intimidate people (and the dark circles under his own and consistent scowling facial expression, I don’t know what Emmanuel does or anything good about him. I can’t imagine how he would make a good Mayor. What does he have to show for the offices that he has held? In just two short years as running a county operation, Dart has gained world-wide acclaim or his leadership, amongst other positive things. If it comes down to Dart and Emmanuel, it’s going to be a matter of substance with voters, as well as familiarity (Chicago knows/likes Dart, not so sure Chicago knows/likes Emmauel) and Dart will win. - Raising Kane - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:07 pm: I am with Wordslinger. Best…Lisa Madigan. Worst would be Burris but I will give runner-up status to Dorothy Brown - Well... - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:08 pm: Worst Jesse Jackson Sr. Best Manny Flores - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:08 pm: Rahm Emanuel for both categories. He is the only candidate strong enough to bully the business community into doing his bidding. He would carry on most of the Daley legacy, the good and the bad. He is as close to a continuation of the Daley administration as is possible. And that makes him both the best and the worst candidate mentioned so far. He’s more of the same. I heard yesterday’s news with joy that change was on the way and dread that change was on the way. The devil we knew is better than the promise of chaos and Council Wars part deaux. Every Chicagoan should be terrified of an empowered City Council. 50 war lords carving up the spoils will make Chicago look like Afghanistan. Chicago ain’t ready for reform. - the Other Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:12 pm: Best: Forrest Claypool who has administrative experience from running the park district Worst: Ken Dunkin, who will probably interpret this post as media buzz about his candidacy - Aldyth - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:13 pm: Best: Tom Dart Worst: Luis Gutierrez - registered anon - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:13 pm: Best -Dart Worst- Rahm - well - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:15 pm: Best - Rahm Worst - Luis Gutierrez - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:16 pm: Best: Madigan or Gidwitz Worse: Rush - ivoted4judy - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:17 pm: Best- Dart Worst- Patrick Collins - Honest Abe - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:18 pm: Best: Tom Dart or Forrest Claypool Worst: Rahm Emanuel - Bill - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:19 pm: Best-John Fritchey Worst-twelve way tie including Rahm, Houli, Jr., meeks, and the list goes on…. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:21 pm: Try to explain, please. - JCIII - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:22 pm: Best: David Orr, or Dan Hynes Worst: Jr or Meeks - Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:22 pm: I’m not entirely certain how to answer this question, as it could be either “who are the best/worst candidates to win an election as mayor” or “who would do the best job as mayor?” Not necessarily the same thing. That said, I have the easiest time seeing how Tom Dart might attract support from enough different bases in the city to win the election. If I’m his campaign manager, I focus on his work keeping residents from being evicted from foreclosed apartments as a sign that he’s on the citzens’ side in these tough economic times. Among all mentioned candidates, he’s the one who could most likely run a strong campaign that would generate wide appeal. Worst? Burke’s got a lot of money but would be torn up as an overseasoned insider, and he could be tied to many of the things that anger voters about the present administration. Why would he want to be mayor when the Council is likely to have far more power than it has had since early 1987? That gets into another category — the Why Would They Run crowd. A lot of the names mentioned are mentioned because they are known. Who honestly thinks that Bill Daley will run to replace his brother? (And if he does, he’d do so when Da Mayor’s popularity is at an all-time low without the benefits of incumbency or accomplishment.) Why on earth would Lisa Madigan sacrifice her statewide popularity to become mayor? She’s the favorite for governor in 2014 after the debacle of whichever of Brady/Quinn slogs through the budget crisis, and the next Chicago mayor will have to make some very unpopular fiscal decisions. What’s the upside for her? - JCIII - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:23 pm: Also still think Doherty could be an interesting pick - Anon - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:23 pm: Best: Dan Hynes Worst: Rush - Honest Abe - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:26 pm: I completely overlooked Assessor Houlihan. He could be a factor. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:31 pm: Best: Claypool Worst: Dorothy Brown - Alonso - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:34 pm: I think Miguel Del Valle would be the best candidate for a mayoral run. He has experience, strong name recognition, and is independent. Gutierrez would be the worst. - anon - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:37 pm: Best: David Orr (safe, comfortable choice in challenging times…stepped into the position briefly before) Worst: Lisa Madigan (not the best choice for her. she should focus on the governor’s mansion or a future senate run) Does Dalye’s retirement increase the possibility of term limits in Chicago? - Will County Woman - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:37 pm: Honest Abe, Houilhan is 67-years-old. he is a very spry 67-year-old, but he is 67-years old. - TomD - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:38 pm: Forrest Claypool would be best. He is smart & rational and seems to have admin skills. (Still, I wonder whether a non-machine mayor — or reform mayor — could actually function in Chicago.) . . . . Danny Davis runs a close second in my mind. Worst is Dorothy Brown. She seems to be in over her head in running the Clerk of the Court’s office — that office seems to be functioning worse all the time, and is no closer to any sort of modernization. She also seems tone-deaf to improper conduct. (The question that was never asked or answered on Jeans Day: Did Ms Brown claim the charitable deduction on her own personal taxes? And if so, the $ from employees had to have been income to Ms Brown . . . . . which suggests more than a record-keeping problem . . . . . . ) - Fan of Cap Fax - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:41 pm: Best: Jesse White. If the Mayor could convince him to just take 1 term. Then we can ride out this economic mess. He would carry every ward in Chicago. Worst: Rahm. Please no more of “his” cures, they aren’t working. I don’t the people of Chicago would elect him. Like other posters before me, his losing would be fun and interesting to watch. However, we need mature individuals for this race. - OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:44 pm: Best: James Meeks, his viewpoint on schools would be interesting in Chicago and provide perhaps the best opportunity for an attempt a real education reform. I don’t know if it would work but it would be interesting to watch. Worst: Rahm at least to me he seems like a guy that likes a good fight a good partisan fight all the better. Who is he going to have those with Bill Brady? Ed Burke? I think he would find being King of Chicago very boring very fast. - davE - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:44 pm: Best - Dan Proft… That campaign would be bleeping golden. - anon sequitor - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:49 pm: Worst. Claypool. Lakefront liberals talk a good game but performance rarely matches promise. Best. Terry Peterson. AA who is highly qualified manager plus well regarded by diverse constituencies. - Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:49 pm: Best Canidate: Claypool. Chicago needs a game changer who can balance the interests and needs of the city and Claypool is it. Claypool also has the best chance to draw from a larger cross section of chicago then many of the othe canidates. Worst canidate: Rush - too devisive in his politics, more into creating divides then solutions - Friends of Lou - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:49 pm: Best- Lou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPbCbO6GR3o worst- anyone who is not Lou - Redbright - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:52 pm: Best = Dart. He is popular and has been around long enough to know how things work. I don’t see Rahm getting into a race with a large number of other candidates. Remember that he spent the pres primary hiding under his desk because he couldn’t pick between two candidates. Worst = Gutierrez - because he may look reasonable when he is not. - Cynic Al - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:52 pm: Best - Rahm. The city is in terrible shape economically. Chicago needs someone who has the intellect and force of personality to get things done. Rahm is head and shoulders above others in this regard. He’s also someone that the business interests could relate to. Runner-up - Claypool. He’s run a substantial operation in the Park District and I think he genuinely wants to reform government. * Worst - Dorothy Brown. She’s an intellectual lightweight who doesn’t realize her own limitations. She set up a “Jeans Day” program to fund her pet projects and can’t account for the money — how will she be able to handle Chicago’s budget? Moreover, she thinks she’s divinely inspired for greatness — eek! Runner-up - JJJ. He’s smarter than Dorothy Brown but he will be forever tainted by his alleged attempts to buy a Senate seat. Moreover, it’s almost a certainty that we will have a return of Council Wars if he gets elected. - Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:53 pm: Best Candidate - David Hoffman - Would have to run as a uniter, but is smart enough that he can solicit advice from people who are better versed on other topics such as economics than himself. Worst - Ed Burke/Jim Houlihan - They would represent more of the same.. The city needs someone who can come out in the eventual run off as a uniter. I love Rahm Emanuel but I do not know if the time is right for him. Someone needs to unite the people, unions, business community and someone who can competently fix the problems of the city of Chicago. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:56 pm: Claypool has the best chance of running the city successfully. He knows the operation, and isn’t afraid to break free from the Machine, as he showed by his recent move to run as an independent. Worst: Dart. He’d be in way over his head. Nuff said. - cousin ralph - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:56 pm: Chicagoans are nostalgic about the Daleys, however,they are ready for a change in business as usual. A wide open field will invite inter-Democrat racial politics at its worst. Rahm is a polarizing figure. None of the top contenders will emerge as the consensus candidate. Lisa wont run for the same reason she did’nt run for Gov in 2010. Because I assess the political situation this way, I respectfully suggest the best candidate is Ron Gidwitz or a slightly younger successful businessman or sports figure with Republican conservative leanings and clean. Gidwitz is competent to lead the City through tough times, but also seen as independent. The worst candidate would be any Daley protege or any big name Chicago Dem. Time to pass the torch. Time for Change we can believe in –for real. - kappakid - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:57 pm: Best: Scotty Wags Worst: Dorothy Brown - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 12:59 pm: Best-Claypool. he’s really a nut and insincere but i think he could put his DC relationships to work in a good way here worst- Meeks -who wants a Mayor with his own plane and an ego even bigger - Third Generation Chicago Native - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:00 pm: Best Tom Dart, he knows his way around the city and county. He is a lifelong City resident, from the South Side (always a plus) Too many worst to pick just one, but anyone that is not from the South side because they just don’t have a clue that this is also part of the City. - kappakid - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:00 pm: I’ll add that worst candidates would also be Patrick Daley (really, Trib?), Danny Davis and Bobby Rush. Both Congressmen fail to inspire - Obamarama - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:04 pm: Best: Chris Kennedy. He is bright, knows the players in the business community and how they operate, understands larger-scale politics and the non-profit philanthropic world. It is a cross-section of skills that would look great on a Chicago Mayor. Worst: Hoffman. A goo-goo can’t run Chicago anymore than PQ can run the State. - JCIII - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:08 pm: Is there anyone from the Congressional Delegation that could run Chicago? - Anon - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:09 pm: Best: Forrest Claypool He has administrative skills. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:10 pm: –I respectfully suggest the best candidate is Ron Gidwitz or a slightly younger successful businessman or sports figure with Republican conservative leanings and clean.– How about Alfonso Soriano? He’s a young, wildly successful businessman, making $18 million a year. He’s very conservative in the energy he expends running the bases or chasing balls in the outfield. I’m not sure what you mean by “clean,” but I know he doesn’t break a sweat during a ballgame. Based on your criteria, Carlos Zambrano, Kosuke Fukudome and Aramis Ramirez would also be top candidates. - Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:10 pm: Obamarama, Chris Kennedy does not live in the city, and even if he moved here, he would have to wait one year to run which is too late. Does Meeks live in the city now? - Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:13 pm: I don’t have a best yet so i’ll say Dart because he’s got just enough reform credentials to make change. Worst is easy. Bob Fioretti is a great big phony and just as slimy as the worst chgo has to offer. - kdr - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:16 pm: @anon “worst- Meeks -who wants a Mayor with his own plane and an ego even bigger” answer: New York City - belmont cragin kid - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:19 pm: Best - Rahm - his energy would outpace twelve other candidates. He goes non-stop, gets business and government at all levels. Worst - too many to count - but anyone who would further the racial divide should not get any votes. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:24 pm: Best: Claypool and Rahm, for the reasons people have stated. Also Valerie Jarrett, who would have the support of the business and nonprofit communities, is experienced in city and other governments, and could transcend ethnic divides. Worst: Rahm and Dorothy Brown, for the reasons folks have stated. And Patrick Collins, who is not cut out for politics or executive work. - Obamarama - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:25 pm: Should have pegged Kennedy for a north shore guy. - Rod - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:28 pm: Worst Senator Meeks because his current solution to the education problem is handing over public voucher money to religious based schools including his own and because of his public stance against all forms of homosexuality. Chicago’s gay community has been critical in urban improvement and is now a critical factor in any citywide election. Best if he would run Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle. He has supported open government and has real knowledge about public education. - 42nd warder - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:32 pm: Best -Claypool or Madigan, both have the charisma and are on the opposite ends of Daley’s mess worst -Jesse, Jr - he would’ve been good, but too much baggage - Sam Bradford's Clipboard - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:38 pm: Leaving aside the racial electoral math that will clearly drive this election, the best candidate should be someone who (a) has had life experiences that lead them to a vision of the City and its mayoralty that is compelling can attract wide support, and (b) understands the levers of power well enough to be able to move that vision toward reality. Some candidates probably don’t have either of those going for them. Some have a compelling vision but no idea how to run a city; others would probably be fine at running a city but don’t necessarily have a compelling vision. To my mind, one of the only candidates who is potentially strong in both categories is Miguel del Valle. But at this early point it’s certainly possible one of the people likely to be strong on the levers (Emanuel, Claypool) will be able to articulate a compelling vision. - Random - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:45 pm: Best: David Hoffman - He seems to be pragmatic, and I think he could be like Gavin Newsome in SF. Worst: Rahm - His reputation would not do well for a city with a bad pr problem. - 42nd warder - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:48 pm: Best - Forrest Claypool- he’s a reformer and an operator worst - Manny Flores - he’s a fake reformer - Joe from Joliet - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:49 pm: EDGAR!!! Oops, sorry. Reflexive. Best - Oprah. Can bring big-time business managers. Worst - Emil Jones. Can’t. - 42nd warder - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:50 pm: Best - Claypool - he’s reform minded and knows how to operate in the system. remember he help get the City into shape in the Mayor’s office worst - Manny Flores or Fritchey- they are both fake reformers and have a combover - Windy City Mama - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:54 pm: Best - Patrick Collins Worst - Just about everyone else listed here. - diehard Dem - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:56 pm: best - Tom Dart,Rv Meeks - both of them bring flesh blood and perspective from the south side worst - Jesse Jr - he’s a hypocrite and would polarize the city - Raising Kane - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 1:57 pm: How did we get to 58 comments without anybody mentioning Andy Mckenna? - dupage dan - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:13 pm: I agre with 47th Ward re Rahm Emmanuel in that he would continue the legacy of Daley, good and bad. I also agree that this will be a bloodletting and an empowerment of the city council. So, Rahm as the worst for the above reason. Paul Vallas as the best because he represents all that Daley ain’t. And, it would be some tasty revenge, wouldn’t it? - Skeeter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:16 pm: Best: Somebody who can win election(s) but also who has gotten press in the past for showing independence. I do think people will be looking for change. Change is different from a shock though. I joked yesterday about Chef Graham Bowles running. That wouldn’t work. People have to think the person stands up against the power, but the name they are not going for an unknown. The three who come to mind on that score are Lisa Madigan, Tom Dart, and Brendan Reilly. Of those, it would be toughest to beat Lisa. She is the one who might cause others to pass on running. The worst is the opposite — anybody considered just another cog in the machine. Danny Davis is definitely in that category. Chico is in that category. Tunney is in that category. Vote goes to Tunney though, since he has no shown much independence and it would be tough for him to get votes on the south and west sides. - downstater - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:34 pm: Best: Tom Dart. Tough enough for the city of big shoulders, experienced in Springfield and Chicago, enough independence to pull of reform. - Larry Mullholland - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 2:50 pm: Best- Jim Houlihan. He knows how to win. Can you say “Punch 10″?. Has a good relationship w the legislature and is well liked by the voters. Will be able to reach concensus and deliver. Worst Burris..No explanation needed - Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:09 pm: 42nd warder, Agreed on Manny Flores. Heck, the man can’t even get himself confirmed at the ICC. How’s he going to run the city? - North Side Nick! - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:10 pm: It’s high time we get the machine politicians out of the city…we need a independent voice…my vote goes for Forrest Claypool as the best, he’s done things for the city without selling out….worst has to go to Jesse Jackson Jr…we need independence people!!! - Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:48 pm: worst: Meeks, regressive best: Tom Dart, progressive, has some old school elements but pushed against factions in his home ward (Hynes), huge heart - corvax - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:50 pm: Best-Burke. If he does it, at this stage of his career, it won’t be to preside over the status quo, it’ll be because he wants to redefine how things get done. His mayoralty would be full of surprises. No one can be more effective politically, but he’s much more than the one-dimensional regular some portray. Worst- would have been Brown, but I’ve since heard she’s taken her name out of consideration. So I’ll go with Gutierrez–i don’t think he has any management skills and I don’t trust him. - Rod - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 3:58 pm: As I recall Forrest Claypool was the managing partner of Axelrod and Associates (now AKP Message & Media) when they managed Daley’s electoral campaign. He was Daley’s chief of staff for two years do you all recall? How can people say he was Mr. Clean? Daley ordered Claypool to break the back of hundreds of crooks the Democratic Pary had put on the payroll of the Chicago Park District over the years because he no longer needed them to beat the streets for him and Ed Kelly who ruled the Park District for years was no longer a power. Claypool is only Mr. Clean in some kind of dream world. - Lt Guv - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 4:53 pm: Best: Mike McDermott Worst: A litany of possibilities. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 4:58 pm: McDermott! Now there’s a blast from the past. - North Side Nick! - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 5:04 pm: So now we believe in guilt by association…the hallmark of any machine run democracy…Claypool is beholden to no one, he can trim the fat d city government I.e. Ghost payrolls ad te like n get this city working again! Only in Chicago is it considered bad or an inside job when u stand for soemthing and do what’s right! - anon - Wednesday, Sep 8, 10 @ 6:19 pm: Best—David Hoffman–Independant Worst—Forest Claypool–just another Daley Hack - LouisXIV - Thursday, Sep 9, 10 @ 7:37 am: Best: Claypool, Hoffman, Reilly Worst: Fioretti, Ken Dunkin - Rod - Thursday, Sep 9, 10 @ 8:42 am: It seem pretty clear that when Mr. Claypool was the Mayor’s chief of staff that the same things that got Robert Sorich and other top mayoral aides in trouble were going on. I never heard that Claypool talked to the feds about any of this. Mr Claypool is a born again reformer, but that is really hard to do when you were Daley’s right hand man for several years. He is no Joe Moore or David Orr, he is very much part of the Daley operation. - Iron Man - Thursday, Sep 9, 10 @ 3:56 pm: Best - In spite of all the things the people above have said. Dorothy Brown is the best candidate. Those people have all bought into the media’s attempts to stop a qualified person of integrity. This woman is the most qualified than all of the people mentioned; and has done more than any elected official to modernize an used to be antiquated court system. TomD needs to visit the court house so he can understand how great the court system is working. Cynic Al needs to open his eyes so he can see that Dorothy Brown is already a great woman. Worst - Rahm needs to stay in Washington, he’s an outsider just looking for a way out of the White House. - Levin her alone - Friday, Sep 10, 10 @ 3:25 pm: Best - Dorothy Brown, as Clerk of the Circuit Court she is the only candidate with real executive experience. She has managed an office of 2,300 employees and has kept a multimillion dollar budget in the black. Clerk Brown has modernized her office with new technology, earning rave reviews from Lawyers, Judges, and Community Organizations throughout Cook County. She was exonerated by the Independent Cook County Inspector General of any wrong doing in her office. Dorothy Brown is a CPA, MBA, and an Attorney standing alone as the most educated Elected Official in the entire state of Illinios. - Rich Miller - Friday, Sep 10, 10 @ 3:28 pm: ===the most educated Elected Official in the entire state of Illinios=== One degree shy of a clue. - Skeeter - Friday, Sep 10, 10 @ 3:40 pm: I know a lot of lawyers. I haven’t met one that gives her office rave reviews. The most common comment about her office is “Why are so many people standing around behind the counter doing nothing?” The second comment concerning her office is “Judge, the order was in fact entered. However, once again, the Clerk’s office didn’t enter it correctly.” - Levin her alone - Friday, Sep 10, 10 @ 4:27 pm: Have more of a clue than most. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.