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On the 14th day since the Laquan McDonald police shooting video was released, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is on political life support.

Not trying to pick on Politico here. Lots of outlets are saying the same breathless thing these days, as if any second now he’s gonna quit or be forced out.

* However…

[Chicago Ald. Ed Burke] noted that state law includes no recall statute for Chicago mayors and there is “no mechanism” to remove a mayor in whom the voters have lost confidence.

If he’s charged with a crime, if the president and/or Hillary throw him totally under the bus, if there are extended and devastating riots (which some seem determined to spark) then I can see Emanuel quitting.

As long as events don’t completely overtake him, he has a lot of time left on his term, and time is his main ally here.

* But as I’ve said before, the mayor truly needs to go big. Use this as an opportunity to create much-needed, dramatic change for the better. Chicago can be made a safer, better city if this is done right. And that benefits everyone, particularly the police.

…Adding… Greg Hinz…

In calling current and former Emanuel insiders and others who know him well, I hear some things that suggest that, as always, there’s another side to the story.

For instance, the mayor feared that if the McDonald video was released the wrong way, some cops would get their backs up and hit the city with a case of blue flu. And bad relations with some reporters, who “hate him,” according to one mayoral ally, can make things look worse than they are.

But far more typically, I heard there really is a problem, and his name is Rahm Emanuel.

“He’s a one-man band. That’s the way he’s been for five years. He micromanages everything,” says an insider who knows the mayor well. “Sure, he needs a better staff. But he wouldn’t listen to it anyhow.”

Others make the same point: Emanuel is so focused on the short-term goal of winning the 24-hour news cycle that he gets in his own way and avoids the long-term plans needed to reach his ultimate goals. He downplayed the need for a federal probe of the Police Department, for example, even though such an investigation is coming anyhow and could provide him with the necessary cover to force unpopular but needed changes.

Emanuel “needs a Teele,” says another source, referring to onetime mayoral aide Terry Teele, who in his own boisterous and convivial way was one of the few people in the world who could tell Richard M. Daley to his face when he was full of it.

…Adding… Related…

* Karen Lewis: Rahm Would Have Won Even if McDonald Video Had Been Released: “I don’t think he would have lost. I think that had he shown the video it would have helped him, shown that he was serious about transparency. But the real issue is how in the world was Chuy going to win? Rahm had all that money he could throw at the election. We are in a place now where elections are bought, not won.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 10:55 am

Comments

One of the simplest and effective things he could do right away is to put the most responsible and vocal critics of his administration and CPD in leading roles on the search committee for a new Police Commissioner. Let them give the Mayor 2-3 candidates from which the Mayor makes the final selection.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:01 am
“He’s a one-man band. That’s the way he’s been for five years. He micromanages everything”

Except for watching videos that he makes a $5 million payout over. That he trusts to subordinates.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:05 am
CPD is also understaffed and dealing with unreliable equipment. They haven’t been filling vacancies from retirement, etc. for years as they develop in order to help save the city money.

Whittling away the police force is the best way imaginable to create over worked, stressed officers who make bad judgments.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:07 am
I think it’s pretty clear that Emanuel was stonewalling (and paying out big money) in hopes that the video would never be released and that Alvarez was stonewalling in hopes that the federales would charge Van Dyke with something so she wouldn’t have to.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:08 am
===CPD is also understaffed===

Meh.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:11 am
I’m starting to believe Emanuel isn’t any more competent in leading Chicago, than Rauner is in governing the state.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:14 am
Wensicia: Or Obama leading the free world!

Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:17 am
Yikes. Haven’t heard Terry Teele’s name in years. He was good. But, he too wound up under a bus.

Comment by A guy Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:21 am
Godwin’s Law, Illinois corollary.

“Godwin’s law applies especially to inappropriate, inordinate, or hyperbolic comparisons of other situations (or one’s opponent) with Nazis” In Illinois, it’s Obama.

Comment by RetiredStateEmployee Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:23 am
Rahm most often seems to be reaching for new, shinny objects that give him a short term boost: Quick! Let’s bid for the NATO Summit; Quick! Let’s bring the NFL Draft to town; Quick! Let’s see if we can host the James Beard Awards.

Nothing wrong with bringing those things here but they don’t really address long terms issues like job creation, public safety, infrastructure improvements, etc. Give him credit for pushing technology start ups and some HQ’s relocating in Chicago. But I never get the sense that Rahm has The Vision Thing going for him.

Wonder if he still has the V-neck sweater.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:23 am
I hate Illinois corollaries to Nazis

Comment by Carhartt Representative Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:28 am
This is totally getting over blown for political purposes and people need to be honest with themselves. Why on earth should the Mayor leave office? Its not a coverup. If it was the officer never would of been charged. The Mayor is doin a good job with what has been handed to him. He is the leader of the city and elected to get the city thru tough times because of his leadership skills. Stop this constant headline grabing nonsense and let the healing process start. This is absurd. People cant just be extreme everytime something bad happens. Let the process work.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:29 am
Chicago 2024!

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:33 am
=== - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:29 am:

Its not a coverup. If it was the officer never would of been charged. ===

Not for lack of trying. You do realize he was charged when he was charged only because the video was ordered to be released, right?

Comment by Birdseed Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:37 am
Do the Rahm critics think this police situation would have been handled better/differently/same/worse had Chuy been elected mayor? (Asking for a friend. )

Do people remember the hideous riots in Baltimore last summer over policing misconduct? Did Rahm and probably our President do whatever they could to avoid a similar catastrophic economic and public safety result here in Chicago? I’d say yes they did.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:45 am
I’ve been very critical but Rahm’s not remotely on political life support. He’s in a bunker for sure. But cmon, that’s just ridiculous.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:52 am
–Did Rahm and probably our President do whatever they could to avoid a similar catastrophic economic and public safety result here in Chicago? I’d say yes they did.–

Based on what?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 11:58 am
=Do the Rahm critics think this police situation would have been handled better/differently/same/worse had Chuy been elected mayor? (Asking for a friend. )

Do people remember the hideous riots in Baltimore last summer over policing misconduct? Did Rahm and probably our President do whatever they could to avoid a similar catastrophic economic and public safety result here in Chicago? I’d say yes they did.=

In a word, yes.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:00 pm
As I have stated before, Rahm is an excellent operative, and a really poor public servant..he decided to let DOJ investigate to take the heat off himself…he doesn’t trust anyone’s instincts but his own my way or the highway philosophy and it has landed him in a heap of trouble…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:00 pm
Rahm will be fine as long as he doesn’t let all these good crises go to waste.

Comment by Angry Republican Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:08 pm
==Do people remember the hideous riots in Baltimore last summer over policing misconduct?==

Chicago has avoided the violence that has happened in Baltimore, Ferguson and other places in similar situations. idk how, but they have.

In fairness, Rahm may deserve some credit for that.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:17 pm
Meh, indeed. Rahm is a pit bull, and not a stupid one. He’ll survive, and will try to figure out how to look like a saviour in the end.

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:26 pm
The officer exited his car and began shooting within seconds… shot this man 16 times, 16 times while other officers already on scene did not fire once. What has taken so long to arrest this criminal in uniform? The whole administration in Chicago should be prosecuted for this injustice. I cannot for the life of me determine what the debate is here this was a criminal act. Anyone involved with the act itself and anyone involved with the attempted cover should be held accountable.

Comment by common_sense Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:34 pm
MRE’s acting desperate. Bus throwing and media appeals? He’s worried.

Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:38 pm
Anyone who demands an entire administration be prosecuted for one act, clearly hasn’t thought through the implications to a representative democracy if that standard is applied universally.

Comment by JB13 Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:00 pm
==Did Rahm and probably our President do whatever they could to avoid a similar catastrophic economic and public safety result here in Chicago?==

Rahm has consistently done the barest minimum to address racial disparities. So, no.

But the question isn’t whether he was doing everything he can. It’s whether he was doing anything he shouldn’t.

The answer to that seems a clear YES.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:08 pm
–Anyone who demands an entire administration be prosecuted for one act,–

What are you talking about?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:12 pm
there is need for a serious and legal discussion of when video must be shown. today’s presser is a perfect example of how just showing a video–only one piece of evidence in a case—would not lead to a full understanding of what happened. while everyone whips out a cell phone to record action, dash cam video is not that. but a discussion of the legalities surrounding when such must be released…if there is a must at all…would be illuminating. the public cannot act like an angry mob. there are processes to be followed. dash cam video is a new part of the process.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:18 pm
–the public cannot act like an angry mob.–

They have not.

–there are processes to be followed.–

Like filling out truthful police reports?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Rahm is waaaay more competent than Rauner.
The mayor is not involved in day to day policing of Chicago.
So the turmoil will affect the blue line, and so far his executive type decisions hes had to make on who’s changing out and the approaches to going after some positive change thats actually attainable seem ok to me so far. Carry on.

Comment by internal angel Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:26 pm
–The mayor is not involved in day to day policing of Chicago.–

Mayors don’t drive a snow plow either. Try to claim a mayor is not responsible for that, too.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:32 pm
yes, I would agree that truthful police reports are to be filled out. but the mob has become quite angry at times, and the incident with the Christmas tree was one example where many I know lost patience.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Move along, Word says No Mayoral snow job here.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:46 pm
On a cost analysis basis, didn’t Emanuel’s reelection campaign spent roughly $65.00 per vote in 2015? His lack of popularity is obvious.

Garcia could not match the big bankroll.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:56 pm
===Garcia could not match the big bankroll===

Meh.

I’ve known Chuy for years. I love the guy. But he couldn’t campaign his way out of a paper bag this year. Horrible campaign.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Karen is right, Rahm would have been elected even with the video. So? Nixon would have been reelected even without the break in and cover up.

Comment by Ottawa Otter Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Looks like the mayor is having a tougher time getting black non-employees to stand in front of.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:06 pm
* Karen Lewis: “We are in a place now where elections are bought, not won.”

That’s a VERY strong statement against an elected School Board for CPS. Especially given the CTU CW that the charter school backers have tens of millions at stake–they’d be expected to bankroll the heck out of a majority of the Board, and then the mayor would get to say “what are you gonna do? The people have spoken”

Comment by Chris Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:23 pm
Q for Emanuel: the “scope, scale, and consequences” of the problem with Chicago Police were very well-known before your first term.

What’s different now?
Was it a mistake not to take any action over the last 5 years?

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 3:39 pm
Mr. “Never let a crisis go to waste” is relishing this opportunity to thoroughly revamp the police department to once and for all eliminate the vast majority of the criticism coming from minority aldermen. CPD and its union are powerless to resist.

Comment by 39th Ward Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 5:23 pm
wordslinger - Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 1:21 pm:

–the public cannot act like an angry mob.–

They have not. (true that!!)

–there are processes to be followed.–

Like filling out truthful police reports? =====

“filling out truthful police reports”

Golly gee Wordslinger, you’ve got some awfully high standards for those who collect paychecks funded with tax dollars, don’t you? (all snark intended!!)

Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:28 am
Rich -
The link you posted uses 2006 data and does not say whether it includes staff or just the number of sworn officers.

I know I’m late to the party here, but a lot has happened with CPD since 2006 and those numbers are suspect.

Comment by Dee Lay Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 8:07 am
Rahm is not going to quit, and he’s not going to be ousted.

But he might become a lame duck with a city council divided along racial lines, and that is probably a worse fate.

eiyh the city’s budget problems and the looming CPS strike, he was already stretched pretty thin.

What political capital does he have, and how much will he have left, and who will he owe when it is all said and done?

First step: settle with CTU.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 8:21 am