Rahm Emanuel interest in DNC Chair is real but also tepid, he also may be eyeing potential run in Illinois — if Durbin retires or if Pritzker doesn't run in 2026.
Several party chairs called Emanuel's DNC bid "dead on arrival."
I’ve always liked him, possibly because I never knew him too well. I think he’d be good at the DNC. He knows how to fight and how to play the inside game with media. He knows how to win elections across the country. He’s proven that.
But I think he won’t run for political office. I think those days are behind him.
Rahm would have a challenge in the Democratic primary for Senate given his relationship with the teachers unions. But, if he can get through the primary: he’d be an effective U.S. Senator. Mayor, Chief of Staff , and ambassador to Japan is an impressive background.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:46 pm:
It seems unwise to not even listen to what he has to say regarding the DNC. He has his haters, but Emanuel is a smart political strategist. You cannot take that away from him. He could win statewide in Illinois. He raises a lot of money, and I think his popular support, while not perfect, is higher than his haters think.
That guy needs to stay away from public office, and given how many others share that opinion, his political future would at best be advising someone else.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:44 pm:
My former mayor isn’t cute and cuddly and if the D’s are smart (just lost POTUS and both chambers) they should realize they don’t need cute and cuddly now. They need a laser-focused, cut-to-the chase and cosre strategist and tactician who gets stuff done. They won’t win you an IL statewide election, but that sounds like a great DNC Chair to me.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:46 pm:
===And he was run outta town on a trail.===
Yeah, all the big heavy hitters who were in the race when Emanuel announced he would not run really ran him out of town.
I would have no problem voting for him as a statewide or US Senate.
He made some very difficult choices as it pertains to CPS. If anything, he did not close enough schools based on attendance rates. Pilloried by many for those decisions but the people who followed him have only exacerbated the woes at CPS.
He also inherited a disaster from Daley.
I understand those are not popular decisions or positions in the eyes of many. I think he is ok with that.
The thing about Rahm is that he undercut the state parties and the state party chairs are the ones who vote for Chair so he’s not getting that. And when it comes to a Democratic primary, the base of the party hates the guy for destroying the 50 state strategy and being willing to throw every priority under the bus for power.
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:01 pm:
He just needs to do the same he is currently doing = nothing. I think he can really be successful in that.
he would be a very good DNC chair. he’s had recruitment experience before, Tammy Duckworth if I recall just one example. he knows politics and we need a shift to the center now. the Laquan McDonald matter would stick too much for a poltical run for him. the entire matter was handled unfortunately, including that there seems to be little realization of the events that led up to the final confrontation. or that Kim Foxx took just about as long to charge in the case of one officer shooting a juvenile in an alley as Anita Alvarez did charging the McDonald shooting in an event that had three parts with a whole bunch of cops.
I see some “political comeback” parallels between Rahm and Donald Trump, which leads me not to completely dismiss Rahm’s chances.
Like Trump, Rahm has never, and will never, have a high favorability rating. But there’s plenty of “things were better under Rahm” nostalgia right now — similar to the nostalgia a lot of voters felt for the “Trump economy.” That really helped Trump overcome his relative lack of popularity and win November 5th.
But Rahm is absolutely loathed on *both* the left and right. Unlike Trump, he lacks an electoral base. Hard to win any race when that is the case. He would need a big, multi-candidate primary field to have any kind of shot for senate or governor.
And any party chair that says his nomination is DOA should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re the right ones to make that call given the outcome of this election.
Perhaps the “party chairs” should sit this one out. Their decision making hasn’t been so great with dire consequences.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:04 pm:
Emanuel could just sense 2026 is going to be a great year for Democrats no matter what, and seek to self-servingly increase his profile. Still, the reactionary “no Rahm” stuff just does not seem based in reality to me.
Am I missing something or did he not actually move to Michigan? I know he is the reason we have the clearest precedent on what residency means when you’re away serving your country, but like…he lives in Japan and Michigan - is he still registered to vote in IL?
===If Dems want to win, work with someone who can win. It’s a moment in time that’s ripe for Rahm. I’m in.
I ask this seriously–why? He’s a good fundraiser, but he wasn’t stellar at DCCC and in fact ignored a lot of races that won (Walz) or could have won.
He personally fought the 50 State Strategy and tried to avoid spending money and redeveloping the Democratic Party where it had been weakened which to me is a critical part of the next chair’s job. I just don’t see what it is about Rahm that people find to be a good fit as a Party Chair.
After 4 years of Lori Lightfoot refusing to work with anyone and an even longer year and a half of Brandon’s cluelessness, it’s easy to look back with rose-colored glasses at Rahm’s tenure as mayor. He’d do well at the PR part of DNC chair, appearing on the Sunday morning shows. If he can keep a Carville-like focus on “It’s the economy, stupid!,” he just might be the right messenger for the DNC job. He’d also be an effective senator for Illinois, though Raja would would give him a hell of a fight in that primary. Is he really willing to hang out at state and county fairs running for governor or senator? We’ll see. == “Is he still registered to vote in IL?” == I’m sure that wedding dress is still in a crawlspace somewhere in Chicago - it worked before.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:35 pm:
I’ve always liked him, possibly because I never knew him too well. I think he’d be good at the DNC. He knows how to fight and how to play the inside game with media. He knows how to win elections across the country. He’s proven that.
But I think he won’t run for political office. I think those days are behind him.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:36 pm:
“Your prediction for Rahm Emanuel’s political future?”
I have a very, VERY difficult time imagining a scenario where Rahm wins statewide office of any kind.
But politics has certainly exceeded my imagination of late.
– MrJM
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:37 pm:
When they make you ambassador to Japan they are telling you gently that you have no political future.
- Steve - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:41 pm:
Rahm would have a challenge in the Democratic primary for Senate given his relationship with the teachers unions. But, if he can get through the primary: he’d be an effective U.S. Senator. Mayor, Chief of Staff , and ambassador to Japan is an impressive background.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:46 pm:
It seems unwise to not even listen to what he has to say regarding the DNC. He has his haters, but Emanuel is a smart political strategist. You cannot take that away from him. He could win statewide in Illinois. He raises a lot of money, and I think his popular support, while not perfect, is higher than his haters think.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:51 pm:
- Your prediction for Rahm Emanuel’s political future? -
It will be annoying and self serving and gradually less and less people will care what he has to say. How anyone takes him seriously now is beyond me.
- Just Another Anon - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:51 pm:
Ambassador to Outer Mongolia
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:52 pm:
- but Emanuel is a smart political strategist -
If you look at his actual record at the DCCC you’ll find that this is mythology.
- OneMan - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:54 pm:
MSNBC talking head
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 1:59 pm:
Elected office seems very unlikely. Too many negatives, which would certainly be brought up during any campaign.
I expect to see him as a talking head or a podcast host.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:02 pm:
===a talking head or a podcast host===
Given his penchant for profanity, podcast host is the safer bet.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:02 pm:
I could see him leading a super PAC, and expect he could raise the money to fund it.
- Gravitas - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:04 pm:
He can go back into business with fine wine buddy, Bruce Rauner.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:05 pm:
Illinois DNR Division of Fisheries would fit Rahm
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:15 pm:
===If you look at his actual record at the DCCC you’ll find that this is mythology.===
He survived the pressure cooker of City Hall for eight years. The current Mayor has a comically low approval rating after 18 months.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:26 pm:
“He survived the pressure cooker of City Hall for eight years.”
And he was run outta town on a trail.
– MrJM
- Google Is Your Friend - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:28 pm:
Rahm’s political future is going to remain where it currently is: the graveyard.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:32 pm:
Senator Rahm would be an improvement over Governor Rahm. Too many dead fish would appear all over Springfield
- supplied_demand - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:33 pm:
==And he was run outta town on a trail. ==
And would get re-elected in a landslide if he ran today.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:35 pm:
Him and Axelrod on a podcast insisting the youngs don’t know politics like they did. Best news, we can just ignore them.
- TJ - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:38 pm:
As a devoted Illinois Democrat….
no no no no no please no anyone else but no
- NotRich - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:40 pm:
Lots.. and I mean lots of “Rahm Regret” in Chicago. After 4 years of Lori and MBJ voters would love to vote for him again
- Techie - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:41 pm:
That guy needs to stay away from public office, and given how many others share that opinion, his political future would at best be advising someone else.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:44 pm:
My former mayor isn’t cute and cuddly and if the D’s are smart (just lost POTUS and both chambers) they should realize they don’t need cute and cuddly now. They need a laser-focused, cut-to-the chase and cosre strategist and tactician who gets stuff done. They won’t win you an IL statewide election, but that sounds like a great DNC Chair to me.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:46 pm:
===And he was run outta town on a trail.===
Yeah, all the big heavy hitters who were in the race when Emanuel announced he would not run really ran him out of town.
- Roadrager - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:46 pm:
==Your prediction for Rahm Emanuel’s political future?==
Condemning anyone and everyone to the left of him on CNN for seven figures annually.
==Lots.. and I mean lots of “Rahm Regret” in Chicago. After 4 years of Lori and MBJ voters would love to vote for him again==
I say put this to the test so he can find out what Bill Daley found out, only harder.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:47 pm:
I might enjoy watching Rahm lose a primary for US Senate. There’s always an upside.
- JS Mill - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:48 pm:
I would have no problem voting for him as a statewide or US Senate.
He made some very difficult choices as it pertains to CPS. If anything, he did not close enough schools based on attendance rates. Pilloried by many for those decisions but the people who followed him have only exacerbated the woes at CPS.
He also inherited a disaster from Daley.
I understand those are not popular decisions or positions in the eyes of many. I think he is ok with that.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 2:50 pm:
The thing about Rahm is that he undercut the state parties and the state party chairs are the ones who vote for Chair so he’s not getting that. And when it comes to a Democratic primary, the base of the party hates the guy for destroying the 50 state strategy and being willing to throw every priority under the bus for power.
- allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:01 pm:
He just needs to do the same he is currently doing = nothing. I think he can really be successful in that.
- SammyG - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:02 pm:
Rahm was extremely blah as the head of the DCCC, he’s not going to be what’s needed as the head of the DNC.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:07 pm:
- when Emanuel announced he would not run really ran him out of town. -
He knew he was going to get crushed. I believe his approval rating was around 18%.
- Amalia - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:28 pm:
he would be a very good DNC chair. he’s had recruitment experience before, Tammy Duckworth if I recall just one example. he knows politics and we need a shift to the center now. the Laquan McDonald matter would stick too much for a poltical run for him. the entire matter was handled unfortunately, including that there seems to be little realization of the events that led up to the final confrontation. or that Kim Foxx took just about as long to charge in the case of one officer shooting a juvenile in an alley as Anita Alvarez did charging the McDonald shooting in an event that had three parts with a whole bunch of cops.
- Roman - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:43 pm:
I see some “political comeback” parallels between Rahm and Donald Trump, which leads me not to completely dismiss Rahm’s chances.
Like Trump, Rahm has never, and will never, have a high favorability rating. But there’s plenty of “things were better under Rahm” nostalgia right now — similar to the nostalgia a lot of voters felt for the “Trump economy.” That really helped Trump overcome his relative lack of popularity and win November 5th.
But Rahm is absolutely loathed on *both* the left and right. Unlike Trump, he lacks an electoral base. Hard to win any race when that is the case. He would need a big, multi-candidate primary field to have any kind of shot for senate or governor.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:44 pm:
===he’s had recruitment experience before
Durbin recruited Tammy. Rahm ignored Tim Walz.
- Shytown - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:52 pm:
If Dems want to win, work with someone who can win. It’s a moment in time that’s ripe for Rahm. I’m in.
- Shytown - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 3:57 pm:
And any party chair that says his nomination is DOA should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they’re the right ones to make that call given the outcome of this election.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:00 pm:
- we need a shift to the center now.-
Harris did shift to the right and she got smoked.
- Politix - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:03 pm:
Perhaps the “party chairs” should sit this one out. Their decision making hasn’t been so great with dire consequences.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:04 pm:
Emanuel could just sense 2026 is going to be a great year for Democrats no matter what, and seek to self-servingly increase his profile. Still, the reactionary “no Rahm” stuff just does not seem based in reality to me.
- huh? - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:12 pm:
Am I missing something or did he not actually move to Michigan? I know he is the reason we have the clearest precedent on what residency means when you’re away serving your country, but like…he lives in Japan and Michigan - is he still registered to vote in IL?
- Mason County - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 4:13 pm:
Rahm running national office in Illinois might be one of the few chances the GOP would have of winning.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 5:29 pm:
===If Dems want to win, work with someone who can win. It’s a moment in time that’s ripe for Rahm. I’m in.
I ask this seriously–why? He’s a good fundraiser, but he wasn’t stellar at DCCC and in fact ignored a lot of races that won (Walz) or could have won.
He personally fought the 50 State Strategy and tried to avoid spending money and redeveloping the Democratic Party where it had been weakened which to me is a critical part of the next chair’s job. I just don’t see what it is about Rahm that people find to be a good fit as a Party Chair.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 5:48 pm:
- but he wasn’t stellar at DCCC and in fact ignored a lot of races that won (Walz) or could have won. -
He also blew big money on some losing races. He’s great at getting reporters to say he’s a genius, that’s about it.
- Strategy Geek - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 6:07 pm:
After 4 years of Lori Lightfoot refusing to work with anyone and an even longer year and a half of Brandon’s cluelessness, it’s easy to look back with rose-colored glasses at Rahm’s tenure as mayor. He’d do well at the PR part of DNC chair, appearing on the Sunday morning shows. If he can keep a Carville-like focus on “It’s the economy, stupid!,” he just might be the right messenger for the DNC job. He’d also be an effective senator for Illinois, though Raja would would give him a hell of a fight in that primary. Is he really willing to hang out at state and county fairs running for governor or senator? We’ll see. == “Is he still registered to vote in IL?” == I’m sure that wedding dress is still in a crawlspace somewhere in Chicago - it worked before.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Nov 18, 24 @ 6:46 pm:
===== I’m sure that wedding dress is still in a crawlspace somewhere in Chicago - it worked before.
For a federal race he only needs to be a resident on election day.