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Lightfoot, Rush appear to move on from the past

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Illinois

* What people have the most difficult time understanding about some (not all) elected officials is their ability to set aside the past and make peace with the same folks who bashed them hard during the campaign…

Lightfoot sidestepped questions about U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who wasn’t present for her talk before the black caucus and who has been critical of her in the past. […]

Rush arrived just as Lightfoot was leaving and missed her presentation. During the campaign, Rush said Lightfoot voters would “have the blood of the next young black man or black woman” killed by the police on their hands — an incendiary remark that drew widespread criticism. Rush told reporters Wednesday he hasn’t spoken with Lightfoot since she won but wishes her well.

“I would be so overjoyed, very much overjoyed, if she became the best and most successful mayor that Chicago’s ever had,” Rush said, calling his past remarks about her “old news.” When asked if he would apologize for those past remarks, Rush did not directly answer.

“If she asks me to do it, then we’ll discuss it,” Rush said.

Lightfoot later shrugged off any suggestion of an apology from Rush, saying she intended to focus on the future.

She’ll need Rush and he’ll need Lightfoot.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 10:36 am

Comments

That’s a good sign on how Lightfoot will approach the work. If she was hung up on what was said on the campaign trial and looking for apologies, I would be worried.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 10:48 am
As Oasis said to INXS: “Has-beens shouldn’t present awards to gonna-bees.”

Comment by City Zen Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 10:53 am
Rush just wants back on the gravy train. she’ll let him if he plays ball, which he will.

Comment by jim Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:03 am
As Omar would put it: “It’s all in the game, man.”

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:04 am
A person of integrity would apologize for such a vicious accusation.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:23 am
Watch.. she’ll pay him back but good

Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:31 am
Having a thick skin about campaign trail hits is a good trait for an elected official

Comment by titan Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:50 am
She’s on the first tee of her more prominent power platform.
He’s on the 18th Green.
Leaving it where it is works just fine for her. She won’t be asking for any apology from him because frankly, it matters little. It’s easy to like her style so far.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 11:57 am
Campaigns end on election day. Hard for some folks to move on to the governing.

Another good example of the high road:

Schakowsky endorsed Preckwinkle and campaigned for Preckwinkle. Schakowsky had 3000+ folks at her annual luncheon on Monday, including a dozen Members of Congress and the Speaker of the House, most of whom did not get to speak. Who did Schakowsky recognize and invite to speak ? Mayor-Elect Lightfoot. Classy.

Comment by Scott Cross for President Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 12:25 pm
Bobby Rush represents the worst of Illinois’ dysfunctional politics. Best ignore him.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:16 pm
==Who did Schakowsky recognize and invite to speak ? Mayor-Elect Lightfoot. Classy===

Jan, Classy? Wouldn’t buy that if it were free.
Shrewd? Yep.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 2:21 pm