The home front and political aspirations
Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Statehouse demonstrators who oppose pension reform called on CTU President Karen Lewis to run for Chicago mayor...
During the CTU president’s call for unity in the looming pension fight on Wednesday, loud chants of “Run for Mayor!” filled the Capitol rotunda, where unionized city workers gathered to hear her speak.
Afterward, Lewis seemed to suggest she’s staying put in 2015, when Emanuel faces re-election, but she also didn’t close any doors.
“I have a job that I was elected to. I am not a politician. I clearly am not a politician,” Lewis told reporters when asked about the calls for her to run against Emanuel.
When one reporter pointed out that Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner takes pride in saying he, too, isn’t a politician, Lewis cracked, “But I’m not egotistical or rich.”
Then, she said her husband, John Lewis, had already weighed in on the question.
“My husband has said ‘no,’ ” she said.
Asked if that meant she had ruled out a mayoral run, Lewis then repeated herself and ended questions.
“My husband has said ‘no.’ ”
* Three things can happen when a potential candidate’s spouse says “No.”
1) The candidate heeds the advice and doesn’t run.
2) The candidate doesn’t listen and forges ahead with a difficult campaign and ends up dealing with major trouble at home, which nobody wants.
3) The spouse changes his or her mind.
Right now, anyway, I’m thinking “1″ likely applies, particularly since she’s talking about it so openly.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:35 am:
Maybe…
- From the 'Dale to HP - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:41 am:
I’m saying #1 too. I doubt she runs and she’d get beaten pretty badly despite it being next to impossible to find anyone in the City that likes Rahm and wants him to be mayor for a second term.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:42 am:
I never got the impression that she wanted to be mayor. She is someone who will stand up to Emanuel.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:50 am:
How about you, Word? Just move a few blocks East and you have my vote!
- Conservative Republican - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:53 am:
I think you missed 2A. The candidate runs and the spouse doesn’t get involved and does his or her own thing. More common in lower level offices.
- YO - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 9:56 am:
She does her best work just where she is and is sorely needed as well as appreciated just where she is.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:07 am:
Totally disagree with you, Rich. This is a great answer for someone who is keeping her options open. She decides to sit tight — boom, she has her priorities in line. She decides to make a run in a year or so — hey, guess what, her husband changed his mind! And she doesn’t look like she’s waffling. Well played.
- Upon Further Review - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:13 am:
I agree that Lewis would probably not fare well as a mayoral candidate. The best place for her to be is in her present position.
- Walker - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:33 am:
===I have a job I was elected to. I am not a politician.===
Karen Lewis logic.
- fed up - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:39 am:
Lewis may be the only person that i would less like to be mayor. she is a goof
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:44 am:
Mayor Lewis? Bahhahahahaha. In Jerry Morrison’s fantasy, perhaps. Meanwhile back here on planet Earth, she’d do about as well as Bobby Rush or Roland Burris.
- Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:54 am:
Karen Lewis is the face of labor and political impasse. Pipe dream.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 10:57 am:
If nothing else, that would be a fun race to watch.
People would be camping out to get into the debates. Scalpers would be selling tickets like at sporting events.
And the quotes. My gosh, the endless stream of quotes.
This has to happen.
- Arizona Bob - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 11:10 am:
Not a chance of her running, Rich, except as a bargaining chip to get somoething more from Rahm.
Lewis has been politically successful by serving her membership by short changing and gouging the citizens and taxpayers of Chicago and creating a disatrous financial crisis through her greed. It’s an entirely different ball game when you’re trying to get the votes of those abused families and taxpayers.
- Titus Lucretius Carus - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 12:29 pm:
I’m no fan of Rahm, but I’m even less of a fan of Ms. Lewis… I don’t feel she is qualified for her current position and doesn’t particularly serve the Union’s interests well (nor represent them well); She is even less qualified to be Mayor… Frankly, I think the Depaul student who has declared his intentions to run is a better choice than Ms. Lewis…
- Chris - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 1:08 pm:
From the Dale: “despite it being next to impossible to find anyone in the City that likes Rahm and wants him to be mayor for a second term.”
Next to impossible, huh? I’m looking forward to a 2d term of Rahm. I like him (as much as one can like an arrogant donkey) just fine, and *definitely* better than anyone else who has filed to run for mayor in at least 20 years.
So, no, not so hard to find someone at all.
You got even a *single* name of someone actually more likeable, who has a chance in the world of running things halfway well for 4 years? I’m all ears.
- Commander Norton - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 2:33 pm:
It could be a good political answer, but I sure hate to see a woman in particular use that as an excuse, as if her husband possesses absolute veto power over her involvement. I much prefer Lisa Madigan’s musings on politics and family life (well, family life with her husband and children, that is; her father is another matter…)
That said, running a successful campaign with an actively unsupportive spouse is next to impossible.
- A guy... - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
I just found a guy I feel more sorry for than Dan Rutherford; John Lewis.
- oyvah today - Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 6:16 pm:
She is a classy lady. Smart as a whip.