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* With everything going on in the city and the state and the country, the Sun-Times choose to front-page a story about how Rev. Sen. James Meeks will continue to serve as a pastor if he’s elected mayor. And this part is just silly…
His steadfast refusal to leave the pulpit could rule him out as the consensus black candidate for mayor, according to sources familiar with the protracted selection process. That would leave former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun and Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers as front-runners.
I have “news” for you. There won’t be a single, consensus black candidate chosen by the hierarchy. There’s just too much ego and division out there.
More on that subject deeper in the story…
Asked whether he would run, even if he’s not the consensus black candidate, Meeks said, “I’m not prepared to answer that question at this time.”
But, he said, “I am concerned — and I have shared this with the group — that the longer they take, the more difficult it’s going to be for a consensus candidate to get up and running. That’s why I put everything together already, regardless of that process.”
With 22,000 parishioners and 25,000 signatures already gathered, Meeks enters the race with arguably the biggest base.
Yep.
* After looking around at today’s stories and columns, I appear to be in the minority when I say that Meeks’ decision to remain a preacher doesn’t particularly bother me, as long as he can confine it to the weekends. If he can get somebody to run the actual business of the church (the school, the activities, etc.), then it’s basically just a speaking gig. There are some who are appalled at this mixing of religion and politics, but I don’t feel particularly threatened by it. So, I agree with Dick Durbin…
Rev. James Meeks is taking some heat for refusing to give up his pulpit if he’s elected mayor. […]
“He has every right to do that. The only question is, will you have time to do both? And that’s the question he’ll have to answer,” Durbin said.
Durbin said he doesn’t believe this is an issue of separation of church and state.
“I think you could make a good break there in terms of his role as mayor and his role as pastor. I don’t see a problem with that,” Durbin said.
Neither do I.
*** UPDATE *** It looks like Meeks has clarified a bit…
Rev. Meeks says he was asked earlier in the week if he intended to step down and replied no. But he wasn’t asked if that position is subject to change later, he says.
In fact, “There’s always a possibility I could reduce my role” in the church — even though the church now has four pastors and an adminstrator, all full-time, he says.
Does that mean he might, say, become pastor emeritus? “If I became mayor of Chciago and I saw the necessity to do that, I might,” he replies. “I’d be dedicated to the mayor’s job seven days a week, 24 hours a day.”
Seems reasonable.
* James Warren was right to think that Rahm Emanuel’s “listening tour” made him look like an out of touch alien…
You don’t necessarily exploit a candidate’s strengths by touring parts of the city he doesn’t know well, or by chowing down on supposedly working-class cuisine.
For one, it might look like the candidate doesn’t know the town or its food. It was one thing for Hillary Rodham Clinton, an out-of-stater, to do a “listening tour” of New York State when she ran for the United States Senate. But Mr. Emanuel is a Chicago resident.
There are “Chicago residents” and then there are “Chicago residents.” He hasn’t been a real one in a while, if ever. He was impressed by Ricobene’s? That’s an every-day stop for a whole lot of Chicagoans. It’s like standing under the L tracks and marveling at how loud the trains are.
* Mark Halperin, who grew up in Maryland and is based in DC, pens a love note to Rahm and is just all tingly about the guy’s chances…
His bid already has been the subject of a “Saturday Night Live” sketch and a New York Times front-page photo featuring a Chicago voter starting with surprise at the sight of the new candidate out on the campaign trail.
Check out the goofy photo posted on Halperin’s breathless mash note…
* Just so you know, my intention at the moment is to at least temporarily move back to Chicago after the veto session to get a daily view of the mayor’s campaign. I don’t think I can pass up the chance to see this thing first-hand. I’ll commute from the city to Springfield for session days, just like I used to before I bought a house down here.
* And now for some state stuff. From the producer of WBEZ’s The Best Game in Town…
We’re less than a month away from the state-wide election. Host Steve Edwards brings together a panel of political insiders to give us a gut-check on the status of some of the tight races, including U.S. Senate and Illinois Governor.
Scott McPherson, Rebecca Siv and Audra Wilson join Steve at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant on West Jackson Street in Chicago.
Click here for your exclusive advance copy.
* Rahmup…
* Meeks’ mistake, Rahm’s tech tour
* Meeks won’t leave megachurch if elected mayor
* Steinberg: What will Meeks tell his flock about gays?
* Meeks: “I Talked Family, Not Politics” With President”
* Rahm-for-Mayor Campaign Starts to Take Shape: Rahm Emanuel has named African-American businesswoman Mellody Hobson to co-chair his campaign to become mayor of Chicago. “He’s been a very long-term friend,” she said in a phone interview, “and I think he’s extraordinarily competent and capable.”
* Wilfredo De Jesus running for Chicago mayor
* “Have You Seen My Chief of Staff?”
* Party loyalty? Matter of convenience for Berrios: Lectures about party loyalty are especially hypocritical coming from a guy like Berrios who twice jumped party lines, crossing over to the Republican side to support former Govs. Jim Edgar and George Ryan. Was it principle that made him abandon his party’s nominees, as it is in the case of those supporting Claypool? Sorry, no principles involved. He got some patronage jobs — and he was not the only Democratic committeeman to cut similar deals.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:12 pm
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If you think about it there is one big plus to Meeks continuing to preach. Every Sunday you would get a big idea of what was ‘top of mind’ of the mayor.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:17 pm
Agreed, OneMan.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:19 pm
==moving back to Chicago==
YeSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Party time!
Comment by Bill Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:19 pm
If you move back you would be as qualified as Rahm to run for mayor. You could probably pull more votes than he will.
Comment by Bill Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:20 pm
Rod’s basement is available for rent and he could really use the money.
Comment by Bill Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:22 pm
Can A Convicted Former Governor and a Political Reporter live in the same house without driving each other crazy…
Dahh duh dahh duh….
Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:24 pm
OneMan: i’d bet rod would only be mad if rich ignored him!
Comment by bored now Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:29 pm
Actually, I was wondering if the guy renting Rahm’s house might have need for a sublet.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:30 pm
What a great idea for a reality TV show. Rod needs the money. And you can get exclusive insights into Rod’s trial strategy at the retrial while you’re covering the campaign!
Will he take the stand? Will he subpoena Rahm! Stay tuned for the next episode of . . . .
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:51 pm
I speak on behalf of many chicagoans when I say- please use your time in chicago to be on chicago tonight and similar programs more often.
Comment by shore Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:52 pm
If meeks stays tied to the church, after the blago trial to me the first thing that comes to mind is that the news organizations will look heavily at contributors to the church. You would think they would look for people trying to back channel buy influence there.
Comment by shore Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:54 pm
it’s Rebecca Sive, although writing it with a funny way to pronounce it provokes all sorts of jokes.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:03 pm
RB&RM - The Odd Couple, starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. I ain’t saying who plays who, tho.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:04 pm
Insert RE&RM for the same effect.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:04 pm
{Just so you know, my intention at the moment is to at least temporarily move back to Chicago after the veto session to get a daily view of the mayor’s campaign. I don’t think I can pass up the chance to see this thing first-hand.}
I think you need to establish a HQ somewhere that is easily accessible for an after hours caucus, but with a little more panache then the Billy Goat, or other traditional journalist haunts.
Maybe a future QOTD:
Where should the official “un-official” CAPFAX Caucus HQ be located for the 2011 Chicago Mayoral Race?
Provide a list of of pre-requisite features, and then poll for suggestions.
Give me an agency representation contract, and I will negotiate in advance for temporary “naming rights”, drink and appetizer specials, special promotions nights, etc., commemorative campaign seasonal apparel for both February and April, special guest appearances, pod-casts, web-casts, national syndication Skype-Casting to scattered Chicagoan alumni clubs across the country.
Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big.
Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect. (1846-1912)
Make me your agent
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:19 pm
I can hardly think of a better place to caucus with RM than the Goat, under the eyes and bylines of legends
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:25 pm
QTS, you’re hired. That little speech moved me.
Just make sure we get the big corporations to pay for everything. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:45 pm
RahmsDeadFish just offered you 2000 E. Ohio. Free of charge.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 4:33 pm
–That would leave former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun and Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers as front-runners. –
It’s Friday, I’ll have a double of whatever the writer is having.
Schnorf, you mentioned the Goat. One of the old-timers, Bob Hanley, died the other week. He was a former Marine, cop and bodyguard for Richard J. who would sit in the Wise Guys Corner and tell wildly politically incorrect stories from his career.
You’ll know him if you see his picture behind the bar, just ask Jeff.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 5:11 pm
CHICAGO TONIGHT is good; but it is far too staid in comparison.
We need to put together a program like the old Sportswriters show, with characters like Gleason, Jauss, and Telander smoking cigars and arguing about the blood sport of Chicago politics.
Forget the studio set; this screams out for a five-top round table in the middle of an exposed brick old gin-mill, with a basket of pop-corn and another with peanuts still in the shell.
Beers served in frosted mugs, and some strong chilli, beef barley soup, and great pub burgers on the menu. Some former speakeasy that re-emerged after prohibition would be in character.
Something like Blackies (not the Gianoulias funded operation now fighting bankruptcy), but the one at at Clark & Polk.
http://www.blackieschicago.com/
That’s an option to start with anyway
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 5:15 pm
“Blackies”
Alex De Milio began it all in 1939 and, through the years four generations of the De Milio family have been involved in its operation: Alex, his father; daughter and grandson.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Alex teamed up with a charming restaurateur, nicknamed Blackie, and together they attracted a clientele ranging from Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey to the Harlem Globetrotters and Rocky Marciano to the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges.
How can you go wrong with place frequented by the Globetrotters, a prize fighter, the Marx Brothers, and the Three Stooges, LOL. Could there be a better foundation in history for a wide open Chicago Mayoral race?
Rich, I may have to negotiate the apartment upstairs for you in an effort to shorten the commute to work.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 5:21 pm
Quinn, I think The Green Door on Orleans and Erie fits the bill. Oldest continuous tavern, from the Great Fire through Prohibition and beyond, in the city, I believe.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 6:37 pm
Rich, if you’re coming back up to Chicago for an extended period of time, you need to let me buy you a beer.
Comment by Jeff Wartman Saturday, Oct 9, 10 @ 9:36 pm