Friday Potpouri - The Rahminator

Tuesday, Rahm Emanuel was successful in his bid to be Mayor of the City of Chicago. The reaction to his win in Chicago is mixed as he is inheriting a city with a terrible budget crisis combined with a history of patronage politics, cronyism and corruption. It will be fascinating to see how Rahm will govern as Mayor and how the city will change without a Daley at the helm. (disclaimer: I did not vote as I am not a resident of the city of Chicago)

I don't have any opinion about Rahm at this point except that he has proven to be quite capable in his past endeavors, ironically Mayor Daley's brother Bill now has Rahm's chief of staff job for Obama in a political musical chairs.

Rahm's First Day as Mayor

"As a legacy of his Washington days, Emanuel has been tagged with a colorful reputation for throwing tirades and spewing expletives. The caricature makes great fodder for commentators and comedians, but also obscures a deep reservoir of personal and professional discipline that has nurtured Emanuel's career and confined any tantrums to the behind-closed-doors variety.

Rahm Emanuel and "The Chunks of Burke"

"Before we announce a new Tribune contest — the Pick the Moment Rahm Totally Loses It Sweepstakes — a couple of observations."

Rahm's Washington Ties Will Come In Handy

'But those friends also recognize the challenges Emanuel inherits, chief among them shrinking federal aid and a fiscal outlook for cities and states so dire that Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., uses the words "doomsday scenario."'

Faceoff with teachers union awaits Emanuel

"The divide culminated last week when union president Karen Lewis stood before reporters and said: "The fact is Rahm Emanuel does not seem to support publicly funded public education as we know it." The union chose not to endorse a candidate for mayor."

The city wanted a strongman — and it got one

"Yet no matter what you call him, no matter what you think of him, by winning Tuesday's election without a messy runoff, Rahm Emanuel is boss of Chicago.

He'll govern that way. It's what was sold. It's what is expected. The thing is, he's smarter than the old boss, more talented, skillful, adept, more focused.

If one of Rahm's relatives ever receives $70 million in City Hall pension funds to invest in a real estate deal, he won't be able to say that he didn't know what was going on.

No one would believe him."

Mayor Emanuel

"Did you see what just happened? Do you understand what happens next?"


And nine more inches of snow is expected in Chicago, bringing us to a new snowfall record for the month of February.