Another day, another Rahm flip-flop
Friday, Jan 8, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* They ain’t calling him Rahmbo any more…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday ordered an independent “third-party review” followed by retraining in the Law Department division that employed a senior attorney who resigned in disgrace after concealing evidence in a police-shooting case.
Two days ago, the mayor told reporters it was “not possible” that his Law Department was part of the “code of silence” he has openly acknowledged exists in the Chicago Police Department.
When asked whether the Law Department should be included in the sweeping federal civil rights investigation of the Police Department he once called “misguided,” Emanuel said. “No. They’re working where they are.”
On Thursday, the mayor who has shifted gears repeatedly in the ongoing furor over his handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting video appeared to change his tune — again.
“I don’t direct the Justice Department. But if they come [into the Law Department], we’re going to cooperate and work with it. But there’s work we can get done . . . I’m going to get going on what we need to do,” the mayor said.
His initial response to questions about expanding the civil rights probe to include the law office was eerily similar to his response to the probe of the police department. And the flip-flop took about the same time to manifest itself.
Apparently, he did little to no reflection during his Cuban vacation.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:35 am:
“You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”
Rahm Emanuel
Methinks several serious crises have overwhelmed the great one.
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:38 am:
He’s Derrick Rose. His old moves don’t work and everyone sees it but him.
- Junior - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:40 am:
People expect politicians to lie and spin - it’s part of the sales process, just like advertising on television. But there are certain levels of lies and corruption that will cause regular people - not those of us who read or post here whose minds are made up, but rather those who actually sway elections - to lose trust in an official. Rahm is at that point.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:42 am:
Gravitas.
– MrJM
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:48 am:
–“I don’t direct the Justice Department.–
No, but you did and do direct the Law Department and the Police Department.
And it’s brutally clear that you can’t be trusted for honest answers as to their handling of allegations of excessive force.
Spin yourself silly. But it’s much too late for that.
- thunderspirit - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 9:54 am:
== He’s Derrick Rose. His old moves don’t work and everyone sees it but him. ==
This is a spot-on analogy. Kudos, LizPhairTax.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:01 am:
He’s the Wiz.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Rahm is a master at dealing with crisis but unfortunately has not figured out how to get in front of this one. I hope he figures it out soon.
It was obvious he was going to have to invite in the Feds to review CPD even as he was saying the opposite at the Politico breakfast. It is just as obvious that the trail is going to lead to the law department (and was even before this week). We know where this is headed. He needs to get his game back and remember to look not at this point but at the arc of where events are going.
- Wow - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:14 am:
It’s very strange watching this.. A very weakened Chicago Mayor makes Springfield very different.
- walker - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:25 am:
LizPhairTax: you’ve been cooking with gas for days now
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:31 am:
Who is advising him? Who does he listen to? Because someone needs to sit him down and explain to him that he needs to act less like a political operative, more like a leader. I realize that asking him to do something he’s never done before, but his current job requires it and he better learn how to lead soon.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 10:58 am:
Sorry, but this type of crisis cannot be managed with political spin or press releases. Rahm since the McDonald videotape has been released seems unable to comprehend this.
It really has been pretty amazing watching him stumble these past few months.
- qualified someone nobody sent - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 11:00 am:
As I predicted another flip-flop. Someone needs to advise the Mayor that he doesn’t need to open his mouth every time something else rises to the top of the “Bubbly Creek” the City has become. Micromanaging isn’t benefitting his public perception in any way. This man needs a vacation and then completely change the way he’s dealing with the press. Less access can be better in times of crisis like this. When he’s all over the news he makes himself the target as opposed to the actual issue of criminal justice malfeasance.
- qualified someone nobody sent - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 11:05 am:
As I predicted….another flip-flop. 47th Ward hits the nail on the head! Who can tell the Mayor when to shut his mouth. In times of crisis less can be more effective when it comes to access from them press. Every time he opens his mouth, he becomes a target instead of the criminal justice system in Chicago. Rahm, take a vacation and come up with a different method of dealing with the press. Stop micromanaging every single solitary problem that pops yourself. You won the election already.
- Langhorne - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 11:05 am:
Police shootings are serious, and deserve fedl examination.
Lets also look at that secret detention/interrogation center. That required widespread support and secrecy. Likely lots of civil rights violations.
- qualified someone nobody sent - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 11:06 am:
Sorry for double dipping LOL!
- Egads - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 12:48 pm:
Rahm Emanuel is under siege. The result may be similar to Stalingrad, Vicksburg or Massada.
Oh, yes, the Mayor wants to borrow more money.
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
Aw shucks. Thanks.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
Something’s rotten in the mayor’s office, and it’s not that tuna fillet Bruce sent him.
- Keyrock - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:20 pm:
The Governor must really have turned on Rahm. McQueary has posted a column attacking him.