Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day

Posted in:

Illinois

* Sally Quinn of the Washington Post claims that Rahm Emanuel may run for mayor of Chicago…

Emanuel is said to have told people that the chief-of-staff role is an 18-month job and that he is considering a run for mayor of Chicago.

The Tribune is kinda making a big deal out of this on its home page, but the Trib’s Swamp blog is dubious…

Other, more knowledgeable handicappers of the Chicago political scene doubt this scenario seriously.

There was a time several years ago when this seemed like a possible scenario - before anybody thought Barack Obama would be president and Rahm would be his chief of staff. He’s a mayoral favorite, after all. Daley went all-out for the guy in his first primary campaign.

Anyway, leaving aside the question of whether or not Emanuel will actually take the plunge, let’s move along to…

* The Question: What kind of mayor do you think Emanuel would be?

Snark heavily encouraged.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 12:51 pm

Comments

Napoleon on the lake. Cities like Gary, Kenosha and Rockford better man the barricades. If you liked the razing of Meigs, you’re gonna love Mayor Rahmbo.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Colorful. Will send dead fish to aldermen who cross him.

Comment by Chicago Guy Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:01 pm
arrogant, petty, thin-skinned…sound familiar?

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:05 pm
OK this is my fault for asking for snark, but let’s try to avoid all the bleeped swearing please. It got to be a bit much so I deleted some comments.

Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:10 pm
Would be pretty much typical crooked Mayors office, will Todd Stoger be his Cheif of Satff?

Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:11 pm
He would masterfully make all of us liberals think Chicago is the greatest city in the world, but a year later we’d all be feeling underwhelmed.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:14 pm
LOL. He’s Speaker of the House, he’s Mayor of Chicago, the dude has some serious delusions.

Rahm would have to be the kind of mayor who could win with about 10% of the vote, which is all he would get in a Chicago Dem primary. Where’s the base?

By the way, if you look at the history of presidential chiefs of staffs, the ones who stay only 18 months are the screwups who get thrown under the bus. Sounds like Rahm is softening up the ground for the inevitable.

Stick to the Georgetown cocktail circuit, Rahm. I’m sure you’re Big Heat there.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:20 pm
one that made me glad I didn’t live in Chicago…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:23 pm
And we thought Daley was good at selling off public assets … wait to see what Rahm will sell off!

Comment by Hopeful Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:23 pm
No snark here. No one should be surprised if Emanuel does run for Mayor in 2011. After all, the White House Chief of Staff for a President who just took office usually burns out after two or at most three years. No one doubted from the outset that Emanuel would want to run for public office after leving the Obama Administration.

Unfortunately, Illinois’ screwy election laws, particularly the need to file for most offices a good year before the general election, would be seen as an impedement for Emanuel’s return to elective office. the only office of any note where Emanuel would not have to wait a year to win the job is Mayor of Chicago.

Comment by fedup dem Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:24 pm
Richie Daley with more hair.

Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:24 pm
You are really no fun, Rich.

Comment by George Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:25 pm
a really nice guy.

Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:31 pm
Sneaky, terribly motivated by the wrong emotion (power?greed).

Comment by yaya... Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:31 pm
What kind of Mayor would Rahm Emanuel be?

An easy one to motivate progressives to organize against.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:31 pm
The return of the city-state (51st), why even bother with Springfield

Comment by CLJ Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:32 pm
I heard he was thinking of a run for the Senate in ‘10. Hard to believe he could pull that one off.

He might be the solution to the asian carp invasion. Poison for Chicago.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:37 pm
At least we won’t hear any campaign pledge for a “kinder, gentler Chicago.”

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:39 pm
I have yet to have a meeting with Rahm where I didn’t walk away touching my wallet, watch, pen and car keys to make certain they were still there.

Too many people know him.

Comment by Nightmare on LaSalle Street Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:40 pm
I saw a Second City show last year that voiced a description of COS Emanuel, an appelation that probably cannot be repeated here, so I won’t try. I think the description is apt, though.

Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:44 pm
I can’t join the crowd today. Politics notwithstanding, I know the guy and like him.

Having said that…a few shots by Kass and next thing you know..”The Daley..river, lake and city views you never imagined. A new luxury condominium at the front door to the Magnificent Mile. Developed by Habitat/RezCel LLC.” *

*formerly known as tribune tower.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:45 pm
“RahmOvich for Mayor”…Blago on steroids…nastier…smarter…slicker, and able to cover more tracks…

Comment by Gman Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:46 pm
A bad one? [rimshot]

Imagine the enemies list if he went to MWRD.

Asian Carp
State of Michigan
US Supreme Court
Canada

Comment by HappyToaster Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:48 pm
When Daley goes, Rahm would have some tough competition from the likes of Sheriff Tom Dart.

Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 1:54 pm
What kind of mayor would he be?

Nine-fingered.

Comment by Cosmic Charlie Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:08 pm
Marcus Nonius Macrinus

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:15 pm
“one that made me glad I didn’t live in Chicago… ”

Ah, but OneMan, would it not make you glad you lived in the Chicago media market?

Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:18 pm
A sweet and thoughtful public servant. LOL

Comment by Anon-Number7 Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:18 pm
If Emanuel become Mayor, you could expect a daily PR stunt revealing political strawmen for Mayor Emanuel to fight. You could expect remarkable political victories for him.

Just don’t expect any leadership. Rahm is a divider, not a uniter. His congressional career doesn’t indicate much interest in actually governing or leading. He, and best buddy Axelrod are politicians, first and foremost, not men who see public offices as a public duty, but who see public offices as stepping stone to increased political power, for it’s own sake.

A Mayor Emanuel will not serve Chicago - he will serve himself after believing that what is best for him, is best for Chicago. I know a lot of mayors do this, but this isn’t the kind of mayor Chicago needs.

What we have seen over the past decade is even when Emanuel wins, no one else does. And when he loses, he refocuses on winning at all costs.

We just don’t need that kind of guy in office.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:23 pm
A mayor that causes all media outlets in Chicago area to cover all press conferences with a five second delay.

After two terms though, a punch-drunk, out of shape guy presiding over an ever-worsening budget with people only divisively using the nickname “Rahminator.” (See California)

Comment by South Side Mike Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Discounts on beer at The Long Room.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:51 pm
I think 47th Ward put it best, “Napoleon on the lake.” I find it hard to believe that he would be more authoritarian than Mayor Miegs, but if anybody would, it would be Rahm. UGH, I shudder at the thought.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 2:58 pm
Q: What kind of mayor do you think Emanuel would be?

A: God-Emperor.

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:06 pm
Will he run for mayor as Ray O’Manuel?

Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:07 pm
There aren’t enough steak knives at all of the steakhouses in Chicago to handle Mayor Rahm.

Comment by Bakersfield Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:09 pm
Mayor Daley - 20 years - burden of Daddy’s legacy + Napoleon complex = Rahmbo.

It will be an expensive and scarce few years for lovers of seafood in Chicago, given that Rahm will go through fish like most executives go through notepaper.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:19 pm
I think that VanillaMan and similar comments have got it right, “Napoleon on the Lake” but with little promise of as much accomplishment as Napoleon.

That said, this contemplation is a waste of time. It seems pretty clear that Rahm has had a sufficiently heady taste of Washington (Clinton admin, US Congressman, Obama COS) to allow the prediction that nothing, not even the office of Mayor, will be sufficient to entice him to make a permanent return to Chicago, which is what the mayorlty will require (at least for as long as his campaign or his term of office, whichever would be the longest).

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:25 pm
The only problem Rahm would have is with the African American community and one would assume that President Obamawould solve that problem quickly. The Regular Democrats would line up behind him in lock-step as would the business community. Rhambo is liberal enough on social issues that Norhtside Progressives could get behind him. Unfortunately, he would be unbeatable.

Comment by Laborguy Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 3:57 pm
I don’t think he’s running, but I’d like to see him do it.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 4:22 pm
I agree with Vanilla man. At this time, it appears he is not much for governing as much as he is for politicking. He has the ability to govern and get things done, it is a matter of if he would choose to use that ability.
His press conferences would probably be like Jerry Springer with all the “bleeping” going on. Emanual has a potty mouth. At least the “smoke-filled” rooms would be back as he will violate the smoking ordinance a lot. Remarkably, he can enter runs. I saw him at last year’s soldier Field 10 mile.
If he chose to run, I could see him winning if he has the passion to do something. This would require a change in how he operates and his strategic mindset and just how he operates. He builds alliances, but he also makes enemies.

Comment by Richard Afflis Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 4:25 pm
A solid leader doing whats best for the city in ways no one likes, but appreciates the end results. This guy gets stuff done. You may not like the process, but he gets results and would be a big help to the city during what promises to be a a VERY tough economic future.

Comment by ChiTownguy Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 4:34 pm
Jimmy Breslin referred to Rudy Giuliani as a “small man in search of a balcony”.

Seems fitting in this scenario.

Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 4:35 pm
I expect Emanuel would require the Daley machine to get control of the Mayor’s office, and he would owe his power to that machine. Corruption would continue. When one can look back at the Baker-Meese-Deaver team in Reagan’s first term and compare that to what there is today, one can see how far we’ve fallen.Loo

Comment by JustaJoe Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 5:42 pm
Rahm has the Freddie Mac experience that Chicago needs!

Comment by Steve Bartin Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 5:51 pm
Will Don Tomczak be given early release to come and run Rahm’s campaign like he did during the first congressional race, using patronage city workers.

Comment by just wonderin Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 6:58 pm
Rahm would get things done, but the corruption would surpass anything Illinois has seen out of Chicago ever! But if Obama runs again with Oprah as his VP….God is the only one that could help us then!

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 7:07 pm
I met Rahm Emanuel 26 years ago when he was a junior staffer for Paul Simon’s 1984 senate race. He seemed like a focused, respectful young man. However, over the years I’ve come to realize that Rahm Emanuel is the poster child for what’s wrong with the Democratic Party. He’s a corporate shill, with no good long term political sense. Obama made a big mistake bringing him in as Chief of Staff and much of the Wall Street fallout democrats will face this fall is a direct result of Rahm’s money grubbing nature. He sold out working families with NAFTA and collected a $15 million payout from investments banking connections after he left Clinton’s White House. Any time he runs for office, I am a $1,000 contributor to his opponent and I don’t even live in Chicago.

Comment by Louis Howe Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 7:51 pm
Snark is fine, but no one else has passed such significant progressive legislation out of the Senate since LBJ. What kind of Mayor would he be? Pretty dang effective at working the Aldermen and the media. Daley doesn’t get as much respect as he deserves for dealing with the Alderloons.

Comment by vibes Tuesday, Jan 5, 10 @ 8:56 pm
I’m so glad I don’t live in Chicago. Oh wait, but that wouldn’t keep me from being able to vote for Mayor.

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 6, 10 @ 12:08 am
God help Chicago if Rahmbo runs…he’s a total jerk. I can’t believe Barack chose him as chief of staff. Previous posts comparing him to the much nicer David Axelrod and the much more competent Rudy Guliani are nonsense. Rahm is in a class of his own - low class. Too bad Nancy Kazek didn’t win the Congressional seat…it was all downhill with Rahm after that win. Indeed, Emperor on the lakr - everyone watch their backs…and mail. He makes the Mafia seem honorable and could teach it a thing or two!

Comment by Sick of It All Wednesday, Jan 6, 10 @ 2:51 am
Since Rahm has done such a mediocre job as the President’s Chief of Staff, I hope that he comes to realize that we in Chicago don’t want him back here to screw up the City of Chicago any worse than it already is. And should he decide to run anyway (which in fact he is seriously thinking about), Mayor Daley won’t be in the position to effectively promote Rahm as his successor the way the Mayor was able to make Rahm the Congressman from the 5th CD. Many of us Dems will relish the opportunity to hand Rahm a stinging electoral defeat as payback for the crappy job he has done as Obama’s Chief of Staff.

Comment by A 9th CD Democrat Wednesday, Jan 6, 10 @ 8:25 am
The past is often the best predictor of the future. If you’ve liked his and his close associates actions over the years, then you’d probably like him in that capacity. If you like good government, you probably wouldn’t; but then it might just seem status quo. *snark was encouraged*

Comment by TiredofGamesmanship Wednesday, Jan 6, 10 @ 9:31 am