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* Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is announcing at a 10:30 press conference this morning that he won’t run for mayor. A top inside source confirmed the rumors earlier today which have been swirling since last night. The source choked up at times with emotion.
Dart has a large and very young family, and the time away from them would be just too much to bear, I’m told.
I’ll have more later if the situation warrants.
*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…
To be mayor means to “be less of a father,” Dart said at a news conference Wednesday.
“This time, it’s not something that would work for my family,” said Dart, who has five children.
He said fund-raising would not have been an issue for him in a race that would have pitted him against a champion fund-raiser, former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, the former congressman from the Northwest Side.
“I have found it impossible for it to be compatible between running for mayor and being a father and husband,” Dart said at the news conference.
“I’m disappointing people, but at the end of the day I have to look myself in the mirror,” he said of those who wanted him to run for mayor.
Dart said no back channel overtures were made by other candidates to encourage him to get out of the race. “I haven’t spoken to any other candidates at all,” he said, with the exception of Gutierrez calling him after the congressman announced he wasn’t running.
Dart said he did not call any of the other candidates and said he has “no intention” of doing so.
* Mayoral roundup…
* Potential Mayoral Picks Narrowed To Meeks, Braun
* Emanuel sitting down with city education leaders as he plots schools policy
* Sneed: Emanuel creates first Spanish version of mayoral website
* Chico media firm has Democratic ties from Chicago to Washington
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:30 am
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Wow….
I am almost starting to think this is like the first “House of Cards” from the BBC
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:33 am
Surprising. I would have pegged him as one of the favorites, even over that guy who gets all the press.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:33 am
I think I have to create a tinfoil hat on this one.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:37 am
Tom Dart would have been top 3 with Rahm. Now this race is looking more and more like the Stop Rahm Race!
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:38 am
Who’s going to save us from Mayor Rahm now?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:38 am
I dont blame him, you just cant get family time back, and this job would consume his life.
That said thephase 2 jockying will be for his support.
Bets on who will be the first media outlet to report on Rahms response to the news….
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:38 am
Somewhat surprised about Dart, but he’s made noises about moving up before only to fold his cards.
One Man, in your “House of Cards” scenario, who would be the sinister and murderous Francis Urqhuart? (Like I don’t know, lol.)
It’s certainly not Dan Proft, although that’s who he named his consulting group after.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:39 am
The $3.4 million fundraising number Rahm’s people dumped last week has scared a lot of people off.
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:40 am
Lisa!
Comment by CLJ Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:41 am
Also, a piece of advice for the ministers: Go with Meeks, for all our sakes. Thanks in advance.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:42 am
I bet it was a tough decision for him, but he also knows he is going to have lots of other chances to move up. Lisa won’t want to be AG forever. The Dems are going to need strong candidates to run against all the Republicans who are going to win on Tuesday.
I also think that money was going to be an obstacle for a successful Dart bid. I heard that many of his potential donors were afraid to commit.
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:42 am
wordslinger actually just finished watching the first series again last night on netflix, just kind of reminded of the clearing of the field of candidates.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:42 am
I still can’t believe that Carol Moseley Braun is going to be the top challenger in the race for Mayor in 2011. Siriusly thinks I bumped my head or something.
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:43 am
Ever notice that you dont see Wordslinger and Dart in the room at the same time…. and Word looks like dart with glasses….
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:44 am
Re Dart: Is it really a surprise that any normal decent person is reluctant to open up themselves and their family to the abomination which Illinois politics has become. Dart’s candidacy would have made a lot of voters happy, but surely they also fully understand his reasons for opting out of the race.
Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:44 am
Joe DiMaggio would have been a terrible mayor. Think of the scandal!
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:45 am
At first I was totally against Rahm but the more I look at this mess I don’t believe anyone else has what it takes to handle the unions calm business fears and keep the city from sinking farther and farther into debt and chaos. But I also admit 4 years of absolute chaos and craziness from the city council and mayor would be fun to watch I just think it could lead to Chicago looking more and more like Detroit.
Comment by Fed up Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:45 am
So what deal was cut? What a sham.
Comment by PIoneer P. Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:47 am
Wow! I would have liked to have seen a race with Tom Dart in it. It would’ve been great! SHOOT!
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:48 am
Fioretti just went from a second rate candidate to a top three candidate.
Del Valle and Chico also moved up.
I’m not sure about Groucho, Zeppo, or Harpo. Also Zeppo is running, but no one knows why.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:48 am
Also kids I think this sucks all the air out of todays political coverage for anything besides mayor.
Bets?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:49 am
well, there’s AG soon, and it’s time for a new US Attorney, right?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:50 am
Thank God I live just outisde of Chicago. It is looking more and more like the “Machine” of Chicago will keep running via Rahmbo.
I hope Meeks can pull it out, but I doubt it.
Comment by ChrisChicago82-Independent Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:51 am
How disappointing. As a resident of Chicago I feel like I just lost out.
In the end, I can’t blame him. Rahm will stop at nothing and who wants to put themselves and their family in that situation?
Comment by Who Cares Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:53 am
Dart’s not running makes me very sad. He’s such a good guy. Anticipating his campaign was the one ray of light I could find in this entire pathetic political sphere of candidates.
Comment by Monstrum Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:53 am
Runoff Debate:
Rahm - F*** you, that’s a stupid idea.
Meeks - That would be homosexuality. That’s a sin.
Rahm - F*** the gays.
Comment by Draznnl (Rhymes with orange) Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:54 am
So, the race is narrowing down significantly, as many thought it would. Probably the top five right now, in no particular order, are:
- Carol Moseley Braun
- Rev./Sen. James Meeks
- Gery Chico
- Miguel Del Valle
- Rahm Emanuel
The key is to look at who has committed money and hired on the pros. I think Rahm, Meeks, CMB and Chico are in it to the end at this point - but I am slightly less sure of Meeks sticking it out if he doesn’t think he can be top 2. Odds of Miguel Del Valle dropping out are probably slightly higher.
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:56 am
I think the real question now becomes, can anyone get Rahm into a runoff? This race is over.
Comment by R.P. McMurphy Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:56 am
@OneMan - Have you seen “The Thick of It”? It’s not out on Region 1 DVD, so I don’t know if it’s available on Netflix. (I heard some of the older kids downloaded it from the internet and thought it was worthwhile.)
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:58 am
This is heading to a run-off, no question.
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 10:58 am
I’m with Monstrum on this one.
Comment by near west Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:02 am
Rahm made him an offer he couldn’t refuse … ask Jesse Jr. about moving in on the Mayor’s Office before asking Rahm … or Jesse Jr.’s wife … she ain’t running either …
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:04 am
Before you say it’s heading to a run off, At least for smaller cities like Aurora, they changed the law a few years ago that if there were 5 or less candidates (I think it’s 5 but it is more than 2) then it is winner take all in the first round.
Again, not sure if that applies to Chicago or not.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:05 am
I agree with IrishPirate…Fioretti is now a key player.
Comment by anon10 Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:07 am
Carol MB can’t be considered a top or serious candidate. She doesn’t even pay her property taxes, her business is in shambles. Where does she even get a good start? Meeks and Chico move up for sure. Fioretti isn’t even in the same universe as Rahm and never will be.
Comment by Pioneer P. Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:09 am
Pioneer P and Oswego W - take off the tin foil hats for a min. There was no deal, it was hardcore cut throat politics.
Some of Dart’s backers were intimidated by Rahm and they were afraid to commit $ to him.
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:10 am
Perhaps a rich, capable and respected businessperson–either Dem or Republican will come out of the woodwork to save the day? Geez, Chicago is a world class city that anchors a region. The announced candidates are a bad joke.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:10 am
OneMan - The elections in chicago are run-off if nobody gets 50% + 1.
And Fioretti will be lucky to get 2%.
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:11 am
Three Bedroom condo for sale in the hot Lakeview/Wrigleyville neighborhood. Vintage built-ins, landscaped back yard and garage parking. Owners desperately need to escape the coming meltdown of city government.
Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:16 am
Word —
Join me in a “Draft Urquhart” movement.
“You might very well think that; I couldn’t pssibly comment.”
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:18 am
George,
Fioretti WOULD have been lucky to get 2 percent before Dart dropped out.
Now he immediately becomes the alternative candidate to Rahm. Meeks and Braun are not viable citywide and would have serious problems in their base. I would define their “base” as the black community and also in Braun’s case part of the female community.
Chico and Del Valle also move up. If Del Valle can portray himself as the good government wonk that Dart could have done, then he has a chance to make a runoff.
Ultimately, unless Lisa Madigan gets in it’s going to be a “stop Rahm” election. The question is can he be stopped. Like the wind yesterday Rahm is impressively overblown by the media.
That being said it takes someone to defeat him and the field is looking generally unimpressive.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:23 am
Soccermom, I think Urqhuart is already running.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:26 am
It will be interesting on November 23rd to see who, if anyone, files an objection to Rahms residency.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:33 am
Getoverit,
Hey, I early voted for whichever GOP sacrifice is running against Madigan this year. I loathe the way she got into office and nepotism politics generally.
I also held my nose and voted for Quinn and Alexi so my votes are all over the place. I even voted for Claypool. I just hope he remembers to vote this time.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:42 am
Sorry to be off-topic, Rich
But hey, Word — you HAVE seen In the Loop, right? (The British one, not the Chicago one.)
I was room meat just last week.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:42 am
IrishPirate,
Were you in the voitng booth with me? Although, I did go indy on the Senate seat…
Comment by GetOverIt Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:48 am
If Chicago has a prayer then they need to go with the Reverend, not with St. Emanuel of Slytherin.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:57 am
Tom Dart’s the kind of guy to put family first– rare in the world of politics. Had this been all about politics, he would have stayed in the race. No way he was intimidated by Rahmn Emanuel or any other candidate.
Comment by NW Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:57 am
Welcome Mayor Emanuel.
Comment by Johnny Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:00 pm
IrishPirate - which part of the way that Lisa got into office do you object to?
She ran against an incumbent Democrat in a primary to get to the State Senate. She faced a tough election for the Dem primary for AG and a tough election for AG in the general in 2002.
She’s never been appointed to anything. She ran in competitive races and was elected every time.
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:03 pm
Siriusly,
and she did it all based on her own merits and hard work.
Please.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:08 pm
Enough, please. Move along.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:10 pm
The blogfather has spoken.
Moved along.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:12 pm
Sorry Rich.
Comment by GetOverIt Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:12 pm
Richard J. Daley and Sis managed to raise a house filled with children during his mayoralty. I really think Tom Dart has not been able to secure sufficient financial backing to make a credible race. Emanuel has big money at his disposal and taken too much of the oxygen out of the room. Even potential contributors with money on hand are uneasy about backing the wrong horse, so they are sitting on their hands.
The vaunted 19th Ward Democratic Organization has been outmaneuvered again. They talk a good game, but cannot deliver in the clutch during big contests. This has been going on for sixty years.
Comment by Honest Abe Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:13 pm
I knew Emanuel would win this race with the double whammy of his money and buz connects, but with Dart out, it’s a foregone conclusion…Fioretti is a first tier candidate-in his own mind, but few others…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:21 pm
make that biz connects…I skipped typing class in high school…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:22 pm
St. Emanuel of Slytherin…Vanilla Man, you are sly there, in your message. very amusing.
who knows, maybe he who shall not be named may not be s/he
who shall be mayor.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:23 pm
Doesn’t Chicago have any ambitious self-funders out there any more? Aren’t there some Crown or Pritzker progeny who envision themselves as a Bloomberg and could use some steady work? They might not get another chance for a long time.
How about Jack Ryan making a comeback?
Soccermom, I’ve never heard of it, thanks for the tip. The second Urqhuart series, “To Play the King,” was pretty good, but they ran out of gas with the third, “The Final Cut.”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Self funding uber rich candidates generally don’t do well in Illinois. Of course the more recent examples seem to explode over “personal” issues and/or are half crazy like the “Milkman” or Scott Lee Cohen.
Also remember you actually have to live in Chicago to run. Some of the folks that have been mentioned as candidates can make no plausible argument to being Chicago residents.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:00 pm
===Aren’t there some Crown or Pritzker progeny====
Not sure if I would want him but that Ken Griffin guy has been floating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the GOP in this election. If he wants to be that involved in politics he might as well be like another Bloomberg in NY. And he lives in Chicago.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:15 pm
why is Flannery on Fox promoting the possible Lisa Madigan
entry?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:22 pm
So, while I may have been deleted yesterday for my disappearing like passing gas reference, ala Shawshank Redemption, it appears possible applicants for Chicago mayor are, indeed, vanishing like some ethereal wind. It’s gonna be Emanuel vs some unknown GOP fool. And Rahm probably has something juicy on that person, as well. While we don’t necessarily have it much better in DuPage County, I’m glad I don’t live in Chicago - if they think they have it bad now, look who’s coming to dinner, and won’t leave for the next 12 years or more!
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:26 pm
“- siriusly - Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:10 am:
Pioneer P and Oswego W - take off the tin foil hats for a min. There was no deal, it was hardcore cut throat politics.
Some of Dart’s backers were intimidated by Rahm and they were afraid to commit $ to him.”
Exactly. A) he didn’t know the business community that well and B) those he did know or were getting to know feared Rahm and his vindicativeness (or they were conditioned by the current Mayor). The big boys stayed relatively quiet in the last month, and that didn’t bode well for him at all. Not up for a campaign against Rahm with no money and no prominent backers from his base. His “path to victory” would have been through the African-American community, and that was a long shot, and would be an unsteady relationship.
Comment by Nick42 Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:26 pm
Amalia: so she can go from the bonfire into the frying pan and distance herself from Daddy, at least in the eyes of masses, who are surely asses…remember this on Tuesday folks: you get the government you deserve…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:28 pm
dupage, there isn’t a primary.
The election in february is “nonpartisan” and open to all.
Comment by George Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Fioretti has no chance.
No name recognition.
No union support.
No “machine” support (aka professional operatives who can GOTV).
Very little support from any of the African-American community (although that may change).
Not just lack of support - but lack of trust. He USED to have union support. He USED to have some operatives on his side.
There is another plan in the works I’m sure - while African American leaders aren’t organized to build a consensus candidate, the unions will be looking at the field. If they can’t find a candidate that can win in the current field, you can bet they’ll recruit one in the next 2 weeks that can. And they’ll throw cash and personnel out there as the bait to hook the candidate.
It really comes down to whether Lisa will run or not.
Comment by Nick42 Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:33 pm
Word —
I saw this during the primary. It literally made me weep with laughter.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226774/
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:33 pm
It’s Over, Can everyone say Mayor Emanuel.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:44 pm
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
It ain’t over yet. I’m sorry Dart isn’t running, but like Tinkerbell in the “Wizard of Oz” I have to believe. Or sumtin’ like dat.
We’re doomed.
Comment by IrishPirate(Bluto) Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 1:57 pm
Downstate Hack, given the nature of the primary and run-off, I suspect there will be a single anti-Rahm candidate that many will flock to.
It’s not a perfect analogy, but just a few years ago, Hilary was unstoppable, too. Eventually, there was an inevitable anyone-but-Hilary coalescence. And we all know what happened to that guy.
Seriously, what’s Rahm’s base? He has money, but it will take more than that.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:01 pm
Mongo no go. Mongo stay, help Sheriff Dart.
Comment by 47th Ward (Mongo) Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:03 pm
I suspect that the Chicago Federation of Labor is joining the anyone but Emanuel camp. Here is a good example of how Rahm has treated labor so far, he calls a meeting to discuss education and invites one of the largest charter operators which is non-union. He does not invite anyone from the Chicago Teachers Union. He makes the head of one of the largest anti union charter school one of his key people in this campaign.
There is a growing concern that Emanuel is hostile to the interests of unionized workers in Chicago and much support could land in the hands of Del Valle because of Dart backing out.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:07 pm
Good for Tom. He has changed a lot from back in the day. His ambition has been tempered by family matters and concerns. Good man.
As for Rahm, uh, the only time he’ll be on the 5th Floor is when he is…a visitor, like all the other times he’s been there. He does many things well. Being Mayor would not be one of them, and he is not well liked even in areas you’d think he would have strong support.
Comment by progressive voice Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:09 pm
The Cyclone of the Century has blown Tom Dart out of the mayors race. I hope Gordon Lightfoot writes a song about it.
Comment by We Todd Did Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:12 pm
It’s time for Assessor Houlihan to reassess his decision and jump in. Or Dan Hynes. Or anyone not named Rahm.
I believe Rahmbo is eminently beatable, but you have to have a serious candidate running against him.
Maybe Fioretti, Chico, or Del Valle could pull it off. The rest of the candidates have little chance in a one on one contest.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:16 pm
George,
Thanks for the reminder - so, I can amend my post to say some other fool, not necessarily of the GOP persuasion, will try to stand up to the RE express train. Given the fact that he has been enthusiastically endorsed by Pres Obama he will, by that alone, be a tough candidate to beat. Perhaps that’s why some of these potentially strong candidates have suddenly found the desire to “spend more time with the family” or some such other legitimate reason to step away. More’s the pity.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:32 pm
Houlihan, Hynes, a couple of lightweights. Maybe Dart found it harder to raise money than he thought. The big question will be can $5M worth of advertising in the primary re-shape a tyrants image who won as a Congressman because of the Tomczak gang into one of a hardworking son of an immigrant
Comment by Jim Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:40 pm
Guys I know who hear things told me that the powers that be would be cutting deals left and right to keep credible challengers like Dart out of the election. I didn’t want to believe him. Now this. After all, why give voters a choice.
Comment by Jake Utler Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:46 pm
This announcement is reall very disappointing. I was excited about a Dart candidacy. The prospect of Rahm strolling right in to the Mayor’s office is a very distasteful one to me.
Comment by Jackie Treehorn Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:48 pm
Where is John Cox? CMB does pay her taxes, just late (plus, she pays the penalties). Her business is in shambles, the city’s finances are in shambles, she has the required experience.
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 2:57 pm
I’ve known John Cox for nine years. About two weeks ago, I heard that he’s usually in Calif., for business. He’s still registered to vote in Chicago, but he’s not in Chicago often enough to be mayor. I hope that a republican will run for mayor. Dan Proft, Rosanna Pulido, and Ron Gidwitz would be the best candidates.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 3:21 pm
CV,
I also hope that a Republican will run for mayor. Preferably a very wealthy one.
It will pump money into our economy and provide an endless source of amusement.
Where is Oberweis……….a city turns its laughing eyes to you.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 4:01 pm
How did John Kass get through this whole column without mentioning the Combine?
He’s slipping.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-1028-20101028,0,4742651.column
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:26 pm
He still has his fantasies, though. Sheesh. Craziest rumor on the street and he prints it as fact.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 27, 10 @ 11:55 pm