Question of the day
Thursday, Oct 5, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sun-Times…
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Wednesday he planned to make his own trip to the Mexican border — as soon as he can arrange it with his wife and kids — to see for himself the unfolding disaster creating havoc and hardship in Chicago.
“We need to go assess the situation — just like our team has gone to D.C. We need better coordination, quite frankly,” Johnson said. “I recognize what our southern states are dealing with, so going to see it firsthand” makes sense.
Johnson recently had an eye-opening meeting with Mexican leaders.
He said that “2,500 or so families who are seeking asylum reach the southern tip of Mexico. By the time they get to the northern tip of Mexico right on the border of our country, that 2,500 amasses to anywhere from 7,500 individuals to 10,000. This is serious.”
The Tribune reports that the city is also sending “a delegation to the Texas border for a learning expedition.” The state has already done that, but let’s set that aside for the moment and focus only on the mayor’s comments.
* The Question: In your opinion, is this trip more likely a wise use of the mayor’s time and effort or is it more likely grandstanding that could backfire? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:06 am:
so many comments with no understanding of what happens down there. the more who get understanding the better.
- Jerry - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:11 am:
I think it’s wise for him. What will leadership in Texas do?
- James - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:11 am:
Much praise for Mayor Johnson. He isn’t letting the partisan talking points get in the way of gaining a better understanding of the situation, and nothing helps like being there. Applause for the Mayor.
- OneMan - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:11 am:
Voted No,
Think if he had done this a month or two ago, it would have been a bit wiser. Now it just looks more like a reaction. It would also seem less like grandstanding if he had said, “I am going to go down on X” vs “I need to coordinate with the family”. I get the need to coordinate, but having that arranged before you say anything gives at least the impression of a bit more planning vs. just reacting.
It will be interesting to see what the visit looks like, which will have the biggest impact on the answer to the question.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:11 am:
Probably asking way too much of elected officials on both sides of the aisle to view it as such, but this is a humanitarian crises involving more than a few US cities and more than the US and Mexico.
Until it is treated as such and not just a photo op to fire up the base (on both sides) it will continue to spiral out of control.
- Huh? - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:12 am:
Grandstanding
“as soon as he can arrange it with his wife and kids”
Why is it necessary to take his kids to see the immigration problems?
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:14 am:
Voted wise but I’m giving Johnson the benefit of the doubt as I don’t know if he has much of a plan in going there. And ultimately the solution lies in Washington not at the border.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:14 am:
Brandon needs to see the problem from all angles to developer a plan that lessen the hardship for all that are impacted.
- SOIL M - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:15 am:
Grandstanding. Unless of course he is going down to help the Biden administration build the wall.
- LastModDemStanding - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:15 am:
I can *kind of* understand wanting to go down to see for myself, but ultimately, this trip seems like it would accomplish very little, on a practical level.
Time would be better spent (on this issue) assembling a tiger team of immigration, resettlement and integration experts and executing a strategic plan.
Oh and filling vacant positions- starting with a federal advocacy person in DC who knows the landscape. Let aides go and report back.
- Mr. Middleground - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:16 am:
==Why is it necessary to take his kids==
He didn’t say he was going to take them. He is an involved father and wants to make sure arrangements are made to minimize the impact of his absence on his family. He doesn’t want to miss school or sporting events. Good for him.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:19 am:
It’s a wise use of his time if he frames the “problems at the border” as “Congress has not appropriated enough aid to address the humanitarian crises that drive people there.” It’s a waste of time if it reinforces Republican governors messaging.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:20 am:
Grandstanding.
There’s no way a mayor’s gonna solve this problem.
Especially since certain elements on the right are totally enjoying the whole debacle..
Feds need to step in.
- Sterling - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:21 am:
Grandstanding. We all know there’s a crisis on the border. If he wants to burnish his progressive bonafides, he’d go to El Paso and other border towns to talk to their mayors about better coordination as they continue to bus migrants to Chicago and learn how they’ve been handling these incoming migrants locally for decades to better adapt Chicago’s strategy. Anything else is just a photo op.
- NotRich - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:26 am:
Bogus political stunt. Unless he’s going to meet the Texas Governor he ain’t accomplishing anything. Before wasting tax dollars he doesn’t have, he should go visit the s*#T show at 17th & State Street outside the 1st District police station.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:26 am:
Wise. A page from the Jane Byrne Cabrini playbook.
See first-hand what is happening. See how migrants get from border to bus. Meet with the local mayors to discuss their difficulties on their tiny budgets. Coordinate w/ Gov Abbott and attempt to talk with him face to face. Admit your own failures.
Then again, if he treats it like a photo op as a certain DC Congresswoman recently did, it could backfire.
- Jibba - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:26 am:
It could be seen as grandstanding if all he does is go gaze at the border, but if he could arrange meetings with local officials and at least attempt to begin coordination of refugee flow that would be helpful. Perhaps doubtful, but it is worth a try. And highlight the lack of cooperation by state of Texas officials.
- Baloneymous - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:27 am:
Don’t be the reverse Elon Musk. Standing there on camera staring at immigrants behind a fence is a horrible look no matter your intentions. And the part about his wife and kids was a dumb comment as well. There is a crisis at the border, waiting for your wife or kids to have free time? Wow you sound as out of touch as that loony billionaire dude.
- Mike K - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:32 am:
Wise. Assume his enemies will do all they can to divide two racial blocs, each important to the city’s future. This mayor understands that. A visit is never enough. But a visit is a prerequisite to future efforts.
- LastModDemStanding - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:39 am:
==But a visit is a prerequisite to future efforts.==
Going to need further explanation on this. What future efforts REQUIRE him to visit now? Rephrased, what efforts cannot be done without a visit? Coordination with border Mayors can be done with a phone call.
The Mayor isn’t going to resolve anything by visiting, but theres tons of value for him to stay in Chicago and strategically plan with parties here.
- Sad - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:42 am:
Grandstanding.
When all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
- King Louis XVI - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:43 am:
It adds a talking point to future speeches … “I’ve been to the border to the see the situation for myself.”
Big whoop.
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:45 am:
Voted Grandstanding. Months and months have gone by with no real plans, few public meetings, zero transparency, none of which will be cured by a visit to border sites. He inherited an ugly situation from the Lightfoot administration and allowed it to fester and become extremely expensive through continued inaction. If he goes he will learn that the federal government is responsible for the vast majority of busing, with families being separated from each other before boarding. What Chicago is completely fumbling with the small numbers while others are flooded by humanity pales by comparison to what is going on elsewhere including the border.
Time to get off the failed narratives and take some positive action to assist the arrivals with some credible housing that does not have a canvas roof, food, education and allow them to work and start their lives with dignity. Don’t expect Washington DC to come up with a solution to a problem that has worsened over several decades. They are too busy arguing over Senate dress codes and playing musical chairs with Speakers of the House.
There. Not all die hard Republicans are neanderthals on this subject. Now stop all the whining and finger pointing and take action. Save the plane fare and moving a bunch of city officials and security around and spend it on some box lunches and clothing.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:46 am:
Grandstanding. Now if he had said he wanted to talk with Abbott and set up some sort of kabuki where the city modifies its sanctuary city ordinance (keeping some “welcoming” aspects but maybe including some oblique criticism of Biden via the “responsibilities of the federal government”) and Abbott stops sending the buses, I’d have been impressed.
- Mr. Big Trouble - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:47 am:
Those of us on the right have been screaming from the top of the mountain about this problem for months. So BJ and Eric Adams are going to become enlightened about a problem they have all been ignoring for months?? Give me a break.
- Montrose - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:47 am:
I think it makes sense. I do hope he brings some recalcitrant alders with him and has some smart meetings with the goal of some type of coordination (I know. That’s a long shot and really the Feds need to step in a big way). I also think there is rhetorical value that can help in the future. It all depends on how this trip is handled/approached.
- Jilted - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:48 am:
A better ” understanding” won’t change the reality here. Trip is pr stunt.
- Read option - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:48 am:
Short of his letting the air out the tires of any more buses coming up it’s an utter waste of time.
- Northsider - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:49 am:
Grandstanding, and far too much of that so far from Mayor Johnson.
What practical, useful steps can he take at the border? None. What “facts” will he find that will help back here? None.
But if we can’t do better than Johnson v. Vallas, shame on us as voters; we got what we deserve, and we’re getting it good and hard.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:54 am:
=What future efforts REQUIRE him to visit now?=
I suppose it helps curtail criticism that Johnson has never been to the border and as such has no understanding of the problem. I don’t necessarily buy into that but I could see the argument being made. In that sense it could be a check the box exercise.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 10:58 am:
Why go there? Brandon can talk to anyone on one of the 25 buses headed here.
For the photo-op, will Brandon go with ‘hand on hips…chest out’? or gesture westward like Horace Greely? /S
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:05 am:
With regret, voted grandstanding.
Why?
If you want to have a real discussion to real things happening at the border, you don’t visit the area like in a “Cold War” propaganda visit where Abbott will use such a visit to fuel his own agenda. That would be the bad. I dunno if Johnson is savvy enough to not be used as a useful… instrument… for Abbott
If it could be a savvy visit to highlight the necessary coordination, headed by the Feds, and with the Chicago mayor frustrated with how it’s being coordinated in Texas and how Texas needs to lead the border states, NY and IL in pushing an Ellis Island type of process with humane movements of people, where the end location isn’t merely “just over the border” in Texas…
Johnson isn’t a governor, if anything, Johnson as a mayor is still subjected to what other governors (like Pritzker) decide in an agreement, with hope or an understanding that their voice will be not only heard but noted to solutions the mayors need (funding, timetables, infrastructure)
Since I don’t think Johnson has the chops to turn this into a greater national discussion to multi-state cooperation pointed towards federal oversight, it’s grandstanding. Sadly.
Just don’t take the photo with the likes of an Abbott to be used at the whims of the unhelpful. No need for that.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:10 am:
Grandstanding. He is seeing the New York Mayor get press doing the same thing this week and wants to get the same national attention.
- bored now - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:10 am:
i would vote wise if he could gain foreknowledge about when and where migrants were being bused outside of texas. it may be a national issue, but the effects of this are being played out at the local level, and, afaik, texas is not cooperating with other states to “mitigate” the crisis. the ones who are really grandstanding are the governors of texas (and florida) here…
- Blanche - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:27 am:
Grandstanding. He has no intention of going anyway. He’s already set the table to use the family as an excuse.
- H-W - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:30 am:
I voted “wise.”
I cannot speak the the mayor’s talents and abilities, as I am far removed from day-to-day life in Chicagoland.
However, at the abstract level, this trip absolutely has the potential to be very informative, and very helpful regarding those who come here. It also presents Chicago as being sincerely interested in working to resolve this very complex reality that confronts Illinois and the Nation at this historic moment of immigration.
Because this trip has the potential to be enlightening and because this trip has the potential to build bridges between those who must live with immigration daily in the Southwestern States, it is a wise move. What becomes of the trip remains to be seen.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:31 am:
Wise, I think he does want to experience it himself and I think to steel himself for telling fellow progressives a no and that we must put limits on what Chicago can do.
- ORD-ELP - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:32 am:
Yes, go see it first hand. It can’t hurt to have that perspective. This isn’t like arranging an excursion to the South Pole. El Paso is a 3 1/2 hour direct flight from OHare. There’s a daily American Airlines non-stop. How has someone not gone already?
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:44 am:
===2,500 or so families who are seeking asylum reach the southern tip of Mexico. By the time they get to the northern tip of Mexico right on the border of our country, that 2,500 amasses to anywhere from 7,500 individuals to 10,000. This is serious.===
What does this mean? People from Mexico are coming in with the asylum seekers from Venezuela?
- snowman61 - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:51 am:
Grandstanding - What will this provide when there has been plenty of other visits by the VP, Congress persons,etc that have visited and many “investigative” reports that have been created providing the background of what is happen on the boarder. You also have Pres making a trip soon per news reports so that will provide more perspective.
Now, if someone on the federal level can coordinate a summit and invite the mayor and other players for some round table discussion to work together for a solution, that will be very wise.
- northsider (the original) - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 11:58 am:
This is a silly act of performative refugee tourism. Unless he’s planning to spend a week in El Paso he doesn’t need to explain his personal scheduling considerations, he’s just adding to the ‘drama’. It’s no different than flying to DC for a day or two.
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:05 pm:
I voted wise. If not for any of the million reasons that are out here, but for one - we need any and all of our leaders to see the issue first hand. They (we) are all in this together, wether the tip of the spear or otherwise, therefore I want my trusted leaders to see it, understand it, so they can better deal with their part of it.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:05 pm:
Going to Texas to see first hand the situation they’ve been dealing with for many years certainly can’t hurt. If he can effectively engage with Texas officials, maybe they’ll decide it’s better for everyone if Illinois and Texas coordinate on this.
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:09 pm:
If I were him I’d also take the opportunity to drop in on the Gov’ and as what the heck is up, Gov?
- Costanza - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:12 pm:
Grandstanding. What is there to see? Is seeing this mess in person going to magically generate the resources and planning needed to deal with the issue? The fact remains an increasing number of migrants continue to find themselves in Chicago every day and this administration has no clue how to deal with it.
- New Day - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:12 pm:
“If he can effectively engage with Texas officials, maybe they’ll decide it’s better for everyone if Illinois and Texas coordinate on this.”
Very very funny. You have a heck of a sense of humor on this my friend. The lack of coordination and resulting chaos is the point.
- New Day - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:15 pm:
Grandstanding because it’s all he knows how to do. The migrants are coming and no trips to the border will change that, especially by someone with zero power to effect any change down there. But who know, maybe seeing how awful tent cities look down there will make him reconsider tent cities up here.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:25 pm:
===If I were him I’d also take the opportunity to drop in on the Gov’ and as what the heck is up, Gov?===
In my opinion, Johnson is not savvy enough in his political acumen to this specific issue to try to have a “meet up” not devolve into a “Cold War” type of propaganda for Abbott because Abbott has shown he’s not about collaborating but posturing, it’s not like Abbott will “stand down”, Abbott might go off script to say “y’all are a sanctuary city, so…”
Remember.
Abbott is about his solutions to maximize in owning the Libs, not collaboration to help with this crisis. Helping is a bigger thing with the Feds, hurting is using a “lib mayor” and “teaching”
Just my thought to it.
- Spooky32 - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
The whims of the unhelpful is rich. This isn’t the issue of the Texas Governor. It is a feeble president who has an open border policy.
- Frida's boss - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:48 pm:
Grandstanding- why visit the border?
You can see it all in darn near real-time, you can interview migrants and ask what they’re being told when they get across and look for somewhere to go. All those things can be done without going to the border.
He’s getting crushed at these community meetings where they keep proposing taking over park districts and abandoned schools.
He’ll come back and give stories, great stories, about how sad it is, how heartbreaking, and how all of Chicago has to give up something to help all these people. He’s good at storytelling.
In the meantime there will be no solution, there will continue to be buses, there will continue to be massive costs, and nothing will change.
He will however convince himself that taking over the abandoned schools in black neighborhoods and community centers in black neighborhoods now will be spots for immigrants and it’ll be good for the community.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:50 pm:
- Spooky32 -
You put your facebook rant here in place of answering the question.
Just an fyi, I mean you don’t wanna be seen as unhelpful.
- sulla - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 12:58 pm:
I interpret it as Johnson is buying himself some time. He doesn’t have a plan figured out, but him going to the border makes it look like he’s doing something.
He’s buying a vowel because he can’t yet solve the puzzle.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 1:46 pm:
Grandstanding can be the only answer. Answers to help the city with its migrant issues won’t come from photo ops along the river/wall. Trips to DC is needed as well as video conferences by him and staff to local government already dealing with the issue.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 2:21 pm:
- He’s buying a vowel because he can’t yet solve the puzzle. -
That’s how the game of life is played.
- Jibba - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:00 pm:
It would truly be grandstanding if he sat outside Abbott’s office and waited for a meeting that would never happen.
- New Day - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:27 pm:
“The whims of the unhelpful is rich. This isn’t the issue of the Texas Governor. It is a feeble president who has an open border policy.”
So many phony dishonest talking points. So little time.
- T.S. - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:34 pm:
Wise! He is doing what a leader does. Going and seeing first hand the crisis. He is going to meet leaders in another state (hopefully there isn’t a flood and the Texas leaders run to a different country, but I digress). This is leadership, this is trying to find middle ground and this is how you go across the isle or in this case to a different state to better understand to come up with solutions instead of sending the problems somewhere else. Good job! Hopefully this can lead to more bi-partisanship in D.C., well once the grownups all get someone to lead their party that is, but until then, this is a great start.
To add to all I just said, leaders look at problems and come up with solutions and work towards solving problems and joining with others, they don’t blame someone else, they take responsibility for the issues whether it was their making or not. More of this please!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:39 pm:
===leaders look at problems and come up with solutions===
Exactly. And he has implemented what, exactly?
- Mr. Green Genes - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:53 pm:
=== If he can effectively engage with Texas officials, maybe they’ll decide it’s better for everyone if Illinois and Texas coordinate on this.” Very very funny.===
What’s so funny about this?
I know, the chaos is the point.
1. This has to be done
2. It’s harder to purposefully hurt someone you met. Johnson need to show up with his face and his family and ask for some cooperation.
- T.S - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:55 pm:
===implemented what, exactly?===
Touche’ on that point.
Meeting with the other side and finding middle ground is a good start. Finding collaborative solutions and approaches will be a great step in this crisis to better the situation for all. Blaming and sending bodies for others to deal with will continue to be a disaster.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 3:58 pm:
===is a good start===
lol
He’s been in office since May. It’s now October. Pretty sure we’re well past the start.
- DMC - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 4:25 pm:
Going it alone is a waste of time. Go with Adams and others. Or Geesh maybe worry about our $600 M deficit? So I voted grandstanding.
- This - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 4:38 pm:
I voted likely grandstanding. Would rather see the mayor spend that trip time working with the Governor and the White House on the details of an innovative, effective plan to house the incoming buses of migrants. He’s delusional if he thinks he can actually impact migrant policies at a national level.
- Shevek - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 5:27 pm:
I voted “Grandstanding.” He doesn’t need to go himself to “see” what is happening. He can send staff. He has so much going on here in the city and hasn’t seemed to be doing much of anything about those issues. A trip to Texas would be nothing but a way for him to get away from the issues he needs to face here for a few days.
- Borders - Thursday, Oct 5, 23 @ 9:33 pm:
I agree with some others who have said that it depends on what he does there. Everyone from either party who goes and just does a photo op staring at the border is wasting their time and my money. His Deputy Chief of Staff said they’d be putting out the message that Chicago is cold in the winter. That seems like a waste too - migrants wanted out of the country; winter isn’t going to deter them once they’re in the US. If he can find something more productive to do that that, by all means go. If not, stay in Chicago.