Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Today’s number: -2,900
Next Post: First Lady sits for AP interview
Posted in:
* I have to admit to being just a teeny bit surprised when Mayor Rahm Emanuel showed up for Gov. Bruce Rauner’s inauguration. Yes, the two are friends, but the last poll I saw had Rauner with just a 35 percent approval rating in Chicago and Emanuel has tried hard to remake his image of a plutocrat-friendly Republicrat during the election. But, hizzoner’s people said Chicagoans want to see progress and they want leaders to work together, so Rahm and Bruce have become somewhat of an item…
Governor Bruce Rauner spent his first week in office in Springfield, but made his way back to Chicago this week for Martin Luther King Day where he participated in service projects alongside Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
From all appearances, the mayor and the governor seem to be bi-partisan partners, possibly boasting a relationship better than one shared between former Gov. Pat Quinn and Emanuel.
The two have known each other for more than 20 years, even vacationing together at Rauner’s Montana ranch.
In the first week since Rauner took office, he and Emanuel have shared the same stage three times. That wasn’t the case with former Gov. Pat Quinn.
Electoral politics aside, it’s obviously a net positive for the city to have a governor who gets along well with the mayor.
Republican governors can sometimes do things for Chicago that Democrats can’t or won’t. They can, for instance, drag GOP legislative votes to the table for Chicago’s benefit (like, perhaps, a casino) that Downstate and suburban Democrats don’t want to touch.
If Emanuel wins reelection, a Rauner governorship may bode well for his city’s future. But the state’s budget problems are so horrendous that direct financial aid is probably out of the question.
Anyway, your thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:01 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Today’s number: -2,900
Next Post: First Lady sits for AP interview
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Rahm seems to have more to gain from this one. He needs the Governor since a GOP Gov. can really create problems for the city.
On the other hand, from a political perspective, Rauner’s decision is interesting. The GOP base likes to bash Chicago. Rauner must feel comfortable with his base, at least for now, to continue to be seen with the Mayor of Chicago.
Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:08 am
As long as Rahm realizes that, yet again, Rauner is the boss of him, it’ll work.
If Rahm can peel of Dem GA members to vote for Rauner initiatives and for Rauner’s budget, even bypassing the Dem leaders to do it, that helps Rauner. Dunno if that helps Rahm with MJM and Cullerton, but how many Dems are we talking about that Rahm has that influence over?
I would/will be surprised to see if they vacation together again. Even after April, how much will they both put their personal relationship out there?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:11 am
It’s low risk. Chuy, Bingo Bob for Mayor, and Ricky Hendon, err, Willie Wilson don’t have enough resources to get anything done on TV to do any harm.
And frankly, they all will have to weigh hitting Rahm versus turning on each other because 2nd place is so close right now.
Comment by Tom B. Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:12 am
I have said for years that a Democratic Governor and a Chicago Mayor never really get along because both are always fighting over who is the most important Democrat. With a Republican Governor you don’t have that problem, and a Republican Governor is more likely to appease a Chicago Mayor (and vice versa) and not fight so much.
Comment by Not it Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:26 am
I’d agree with you Not It.
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:27 am
===Republican Governor is more likely to appease a Chicago Mayor (and vice versa) and not fight so much.===
You must’ve missed the Edgar-Daley years…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:27 am
Yeah, I’ll go out on a limb and say Rahm is for anyone who can benefit Rahm.
Comment by I B Strapped Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:28 am
Regardless the relationship, to turn this City and State around, we’re all going to have to pull the rope the same direction.
Let’s hope this worsk out for everyone!
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:31 am
Rich, I want to commend you for being able to step back and see political relationships with objectivity. There are times when my response is very partisan and not at all objective. Your commentary serves to jerk me back from that and make me think again from a different viewpoint. If no one has thanked you for that lately, consider yourself thanked and appreciated.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:31 am
Not sure how much it matters since Chicago’s problem is Rahm.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:41 am
To the Republican-Democrat dynamic;
The relationship between the Chicago mayor and the Illinois Governor isn’t defined by party but is explained by the personalities.
Look at Edgar-Daley, then Ryan-Daley…
You look at Quinn-Daley, then Quinn-Rahm…and let’s not forget Blago-Daley…
The personalities and personas, real or otherwise, dictated how one interacted with the other more than party affiliation.
It wasn’t that Ryan-Daley was inter-party, it was that Ryan-Daley related more to each other than, say, Edgar-Daley, and the fiscal health of the state also made Edgar-Daley and their personal relationship tougher than Ryan-Daley.
Rauner-Rahm? They both could be Dems, they both could be Republicans, but that isn’t defining their relationship that Rahm is a Democrat and Rauner is a Republican. It’s about the time spent that they chose each other’s company for no other reason then they agreed to do that.
It’s personal, it’s deep rooted, it’s before “Hizzoner and His Exellency.”
They both will dictate how much they will let us in…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:50 am
Chicago is the ball game for Illinois. Non-Chicagoans can go on and on about how much focus is place in Illinois’ Northeast, but Chicago makes more tax revenue than it eats and it has been hurting for more than a decade and needs help to keep earning that tax revenue.
Chicago is where those golden geese nest. Rauner and Emanuel need to work together to help both the City and the State. Glad they are forming a partnership.
I’m not a fan of Emanuel, but he is Mayor and he isn’t a complete nut. Work with what we’ve got.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:50 am
There is still a democrat living in the governors mansion
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:50 am
===Chicago makes more tax revenue than it eats===
It’s actually a bit under break even. Suburbia makes more than it eats. Downstate eats far more than it makes.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:02 am
I suspect that Rahm believes that simply being Rahm is enough to get re-elected. Given the lightweights that oppose him that seems to be a safe bet. He’s looking further down the road and realizes the benefit of maintaining a positive vibe with Rauner. At the same time Rahm my provide some additional cover or benefit to Rauner when he needs it.
Comment by pundent Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:09 am
To anyone(especially on this page) who doesn’t understand the dangers of Rahmner by now all I can say is shame on you for being so clueless or dishonest, may you get exactly what you deserve.
Comment by William 'I tried to warn you' Kelly Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:16 am
Emanuel certainly needs Rauner a lot more than Rauner needs him. Emanuel has no clout of his own in the GA, and Rauner has a very powerful pen.
Despite what you see on the TV news up north, governor is way more powerful than mayor.
As far as what they can work together on, who knows? Neither one of them has a discernible agenda other then positive personal spin.
A casino? Meh. Hardly the magic to stir men’s blood.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:22 am
Rahm and Rauner are joined at the hip and both very much with the Wall Street wings of their respective parties. Not only that, but if they don’t get along, couldn’t Kenneth Griffin just cut them off?
Comment by Carhart Representative Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:23 am
=== It’s actually a bit under break even. Suburbia makes more than it eats. Downstate eats far more than it makes. ===
I suspect that depends on whether you are basing your calculations on where income tax payers live or where they are employed.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:28 am
Direst grants from the state to the City are pretty much out of the question, but there’s a lot of legislative relief that the GA and Guv can give.
For example, when there was the huge power shift of the CPS to control by a Board appointed by the mayor, there was a short prohibition of teacher strikes to stabilize the reform movement. Rauner and the two headed monster in the GA could give Rahm a permanent relief form public school strikes. That would make a HUGE difference in budget challenge for Hizzoner. Relief from “Prevailing Wage” for Chicago? Rauner and the Springfield Gold Dust Twins could make that happen as well. Unions wouldn’t like it, of course, but that would be a big plus for minority contractors.
Rauner can help a lot by relaxing state mandates. Relaxing those that won’t hurt the rest of the state could do a lot of good for Rahm and Rauner…
Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:30 am
It’s one of the dynamics of government that is better when the Gov and Mayor get along. We haven’t seen that much of it. It will be helpful.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:34 am
I should have written that as “Chicagoland”, because when I referenced NE Illinois, I intended to do that. I consider the five county metro region as Chicagoland, btw.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:50 am
Mayor Daley was on stage at the 1995 inauguration and was smiling ear to ear. The fact that the Mayor of Chicago attended is important regardless of who it is. The fact that Quinn was not at this one coupled with the fact he gave clemency to dangerous criminals is how I will always remember the jerk. Go Friars!
Comment by Happy Joe Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Note when Chicago School Reform occurred, more importantly who was in total control of Springfield at the time, and you will see that Edgar and Daley did accomplish things that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
The same holds true for the legislation making the Chicago mayors race a top two, runoff system rather than a primary and general election. Nonpartisan officially, even if all candidates are Democrats.
1995 - 89th Gen Assembly
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Two words: Gaming License
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:25 pm
It’s always good when any major city mayor and governor can work together no matter what state it is.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:34 pm
They are a dynamic duo politically but I am still not sure which one is Batman and which one is Robin? I would think Madigan and Cullerton will encourage the Bruce/Rahm wedding nuptials. Rahm can help to serve as the buffer that Rauner will need to move things along.
Comment by Rowdy Yates Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:40 pm
===They are a dynamic duo politically but I am still not sure which one is Batman and which one is Robin?===
The Governor is Batman. Governors over Mayors…
===I would think Madigan and Cullerton will encourage the Bruce/Rahm wedding nuptials.===
The Governor and Mayor have been friends for quite a long while. Encouraging what, keeping a longtime friendship?
===Rahm can help to serve as the buffer that Rauner will need to move things along.===
How so? Governors over Mayors, the governor, and the Speaker and President are 2/3 of state government and need each other, how Rahm fits in, enlighten me…
Or is this another Ronald Reagan first two weeks observation?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:05 pm
Where’s the honor in Hizzoner? Or the Excellency in Quinn or Rauner?
Curiously we Americans fought a revolution against royalism , but it’s trappings call to us emotionally. Even to the extent of favoring inherited office holding.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:05 pm
===Republican Governor is more likely to appease a Chicago Mayor (and vice versa) and not fight so much.===
You’d have to break out the history books to research this, but the same held true when the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois had Republicans in the mayoral and gubernatorial office simultaneously. This was no different than the fights when Democrats held the same two offices.
It seems to be about who is the biggest wheel in the party organization.
Of course, long ago, the governor wielded much more power in Chicago (choosing park district officials for Lincoln Park and the West Side before the current Chicago Park District was consolidated and made subject to the mayor’s control in terms of appointments).
Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:28 pm
== the state’s budget problems are so horrendous that direct financial aid is probably out of the question ==
Curious how Rahm is going to make the $500 million police and fire pension payment spike that’s coming up. He does not appear to have been taking any steps towards preparing or saving for it.
Then again, Rahm may not be angling for direct financial aid from the Mr Rauner and the state. He could be angling for breathing room in the form of more time or delays to required payments. That is a form of financial assistance as well.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:34 pm
FKA, Gov. Small and Mayor Thompson got along swell in the years their terms overlapped. That was good for certain business people.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:42 pm
No problem if the Mayor has a good relation with the Governor. There should be nothing but benefit. I only wish I knew why Rahm didn’t get along that well with Quinn.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:45 pm
Levois, there is no polite way to say this, WERE YOU BORN YESTERDAY?!!!!
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:00 pm
Levois, if you were being sarcastic than I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for overreacting, if you were being serious I would like to reiterate, WERE YOU BORN YESTERDAY?!!!
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:09 pm
@Wordslinger:
Big Bill managed fairly well with Len Small (except for a period of time when Thompson was out of the mayor’s office), but when Frank Lowden developed national ambitions he had a falling out with Thompson. Thompson and Emmerson were not on the best terms either.
Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:31 pm
UFR - thank you for that “lesson” from 90 years ago. The fact remains that Democratic Chicago mayors work better with Republucon Governors for the reasons stated by so many above.
Ogilvie - Daley was the most famous example. I think
Daley worked much better with Stratton as well compared with Kerner and definitely Walker.
(Many thanks to Len O’Connor and Milton Rakove who’s books helped me understand this dynamic).
Comment by low level Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 5:57 pm
==As far as what they can work together on, who knows? Neither one of them has a discernible agenda other then positive personal spin.==
Price-fixing the fire sale.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:06 pm