By Maya

Sep 8, 2010 7:43am

Axelrod: Rahm has the President’s Blessing, and the Personality to Make it as Chicago Mayor

ABC's Ann Compton reports: White House Senior Advisor and native Chicagoan David Axelrod designed the strategy for no fewer than six Richard M. Daley campaigns for mayor in the Windy City. So Axelrod knows what a political plum City Hall is and why his fellow White House colleague Rahm Emanuel is lusting for the job. “The mayoralty in Chicago is an unbelievably attractive opportunity,” Axelrod said in a West Wing interview, “and I’m sure if Rahm decides to do that, the President will support that decision.”  Obama Chief of Staff ‪Emanuel admitted last spring he has dreamed of running for mayor and now that Daley has announced he will not seek a seventh term, White House advisors expect Emanuel to jump at the chance. And Axelrod says Emanuel has the personality to fit the challenge, “the common element I find in mayors is they are larger than life personalities.  They are big enough to handle the hustle and bustle of big city politics and to deal with the tough issues that come up in city Governments.  Rahm has that combination of skills and that personality and mindset to be a success if he chooses to go that route.”‪ Axelrod, however, says he will stick around the White House a bit longer, before departing to help run President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.‪ – Ann Compton

User Comments

Well, then, let’s get busy planning that coronation!

Posted by: The Chicago Way | September 8, 2010, 8:22 am 8:22 am

Criminals and destroyers of America: Obama, Jim Webb, Mark Warner. Freeze spending, lower taxes, repeal healthcare, shutdown DC.

Posted by: Stand Firm | September 8, 2010, 8:24 am 8:24 am

If Chicago elects Rahm Emanuel, they’ll get whatthey deserve: graft, corruption, dirty dealing, dishonesty.

Posted by: JustAGuy | September 8, 2010, 8:28 am 8:28 am

Rahm Emanuel is a filthy, gutter politician, one the nicely fits the Chicago mold. Hey Chicago, break free of the trash, Elect a leader not another ideologue. Rahm is the dirtiest piece of political filth there is, do you want his face as the face of your terrific city? Rahm doesn’t give a hoot about the citizens of Chicago, its all about HIM, and POWER. Chicago is already broken, lets not add more dirt to the top of the grave. Push this pathetic loser into the defeated column, just like your former Senator in 2012.

Posted by: xjug1987 | September 8, 2010, 8:29 am 8:29 am

Emanuel has Obama’s blesssing! Wow, the kiss of death.
If Rahm wants to win the mayoral race he needs to use his influence and get the Blago case dismissed. Otherwise he will be drawn into that mess as a witness and that will spoil his chance to win.

Posted by: Hazmat77 | September 8, 2010, 8:34 am 8:34 am

You get what you deserve when you vote for dirt bag crooks like Emmanuel and Obumbler! They will just be trading one crook for another.

Posted by: Jim in Houston | September 8, 2010, 8:36 am 8:36 am

Chicago deserves Rahm!

Posted by: Insight | September 8, 2010, 8:40 am 8:40 am

Hey Chicago!
Can you please start electing honest politicians for a change?

Posted by: dareisay | September 8, 2010, 8:45 am 8:45 am

Rahm deserves Chicago!

Posted by: Noz | September 8, 2010, 8:53 am 8:53 am

ABC advertising Georgie taking on OBama with the “tuff” questions..LMAO…LMAO
Isn’t this false advertising???????
Obama VS America

Posted by: Yep I said that | September 8, 2010, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Axelrod: Rahm has the President’s Blessing, and the Personality to Make it as Chicago Mayor…………
And the nose for corruption.
Obama VS America

Posted by: Yep I said that | September 8, 2010, 8:58 am 8:58 am

The Chicagoland Presidency continues apace. But not for long. They’ve got a big surprise coming in November. Some might call it…a CHANGE.

Posted by: Good Lt | September 8, 2010, 8:59 am 8:59 am

Oh, great. Replace one corrupt, lying scumbag — Daley — with another corrupt, lying scumbag — Rahm.
Wake up, Chicagoans.

Posted by: Tremain | September 8, 2010, 8:59 am 8:59 am

I’m shocked, SHOCKED I tell you!
Sleazy Rahmbo will be right at home as the nucleus of the perennially corrupt Chicago Machine.
Sadly, there will be never be another Dem. Nat. Convention in Chicago for the current Mayor to emulate Daddy Daley and and stoke riots among Leftists.
There’s still hope though! Maybe Rahmbo can pick up the torch and carry on that great tradition. After all, isn’t “dissent the greatest form of patriotism”? I mean when only the GOP is in power of course.
~(Ä)~

Posted by: Rocketman | September 8, 2010, 9:00 am 9:00 am

I’ve personally dealt w/ Mr.Emanuel
and as ilcongressionalveterans-liason;back in 07-08
Conclusions are simple If once again you want the epitemy of shister lawyer and a person whom’s word has the value of the neurotoxic poison it comes from.
This man’s sole interests are for himself/power;money If you cannot see through this Tom Nash type of character
then Chicago you get what you deserve
whether you agreed w/Mayor Daley or not
He is 10′xs the man Rahm will ever be
When will we get Patriots and Statesman to vote for,not politicians and trash ones at that..
SINCERELY
Cal Shummon
u.s.n.r.-r/MdS-E

Posted by: cal shummon | September 8, 2010, 9:22 am 9:22 am

Chicago has been corrupt since well before the Al Capone era. The citizens are either too stupid to figure it out or they like it. Either way nothing is going to change. So run, Rahm, run. At least there will be one less crook in Washington.

Posted by: msj | September 8, 2010, 9:30 am 9:30 am

Chicago politics have a reputation which Rahm fits to a “T”.
One might even say Rahm is of a temperament well suited for Chicago politics.
Maybe he will have a job in Chicago for the Obama after his term ends.

Posted by: Ed Taylor | September 8, 2010, 9:48 am 9:48 am

Maybe Mayor Rahm will offer Obama a job after the November, 2012 election!

Posted by: George Edward | September 8, 2010, 9:49 am 9:49 am

Blessing. The president acts as if he is a god and no one can be in any office without his approval. Chicago you will always be in the dumps because you allow these crooks to operate.

Posted by: Jim Rod | September 8, 2010, 9:53 am 9:53 am

What a dreadful city!

Posted by: astatist | September 8, 2010, 9:57 am 9:57 am

Yes We Can!
The stinking, corrupt, elitist Obama/ Daley/ Rezko/ Blago/ Ayers/ Emanuel/ Jarrett/ Rostenkowski Chicago dynasty continues unabated.

Posted by: Libs and The Lying Liars Who Elect Them | September 8, 2010, 9:58 am 9:58 am

Rahm can finish the dem o rats agenda to destroy Chicago to 3rd world status.

Posted by: Rahm Bam Thank You Mam | September 8, 2010, 9:59 am 9:59 am

Smooth move for Barack. Palace coup. Look for Mayor Daley to get ambassadorship. Can they get get him (Rahm) to go? Pins and needle time for David A and company. David you get an A.

Posted by: Jerome | September 8, 2010, 10:00 am 10:00 am

Does Chicago even hold elections?

Posted by: Teacakes | September 8, 2010, 10:14 am 10:14 am

Blessing? Religion in the White House! Where is that all important separation of Church and state? He has the personality to be mayor= he is corrupt enough and has enough dirt on enough people to be able to get what he wants. Enough people will be threatened, bribed to get him the vote and enough people will vote multiple times, vote while drugged and drunk, and vote while dead to insure he will be elected. If he is, Chicago deserves the high taxes and crime it will continue to “enjoy”.

Posted by: lukuj | September 8, 2010, 10:18 am 10:18 am

I’m sure his brother, uber-agent Ari Emanuel, can get him as many celebrity endorsements as he wants.

Posted by: bonnie harris | September 8, 2010, 10:32 am 10:32 am

“Hustle and bustle of big city politics”!!! DemoRATS have created their own little fifedoms right under the very nose of American Constitutional Republic! CORRUPTION to the very bone.

Posted by: fish story | September 8, 2010, 10:39 am 10:39 am

He wants to get out of the WH, no doubt about that.

Posted by: Abandon Ship | September 8, 2010, 10:42 am 10:42 am

I love the way they act like it’s a foregone conclusion, which of course it is.
I think it is also a good sign for us outside of Chicago, the rats are jumping from their sinking ship!

Posted by: notmyprez! | September 8, 2010, 10:47 am 10:47 am

Chicago needs to find a clone of New Jersey’s Chris Christie to run against Rahm Emanuel!

Posted by: Chicago is broken | September 8, 2010, 10:49 am 10:49 am

This is Rahm’s vehicle to cash in. He’s tired of being a poor croney. Now he can be a rich croney.

Posted by: Tim | September 8, 2010, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Of Course he has given his blessing…Obama knows he’s on the way out of DC and back to Chicago in the very near future….Feathering his nest….

Posted by: Parallex View | September 8, 2010, 11:06 am 11:06 am

God help the people of Chicago if they put this clown in office after bearing witness to the priceless advice he’s given to his pal in the Oval office. Why would anyone vote for him? Oh yeah, it’s a Chicago politics thing. Good luck to you, indeed.

Posted by: s | September 8, 2010, 11:12 am 11:12 am

His blessings?? it has been planned very carfully. It is time for Daley to come down…. looks pretty scary. obama already playing his “monopolly” game stronger and stronger every time. He had kagan on the Supreme Court, to pay for a favor. As long as she(?) hid his birth certificates and hide all the requests to clarify his citizenship, he gave her a price…. the Supreme Court.
Now we have the mayor Daley moving out all of the sudden so his other little frien can come and play with him….. so now Emanuel will be the mayor, forget about racing, voting, campaning, it is a given emanuel will get this new toy! and everybody will be happy in la..la…la….land !
How sad :(

Posted by: tuti | September 8, 2010, 11:28 am 11:28 am

How perfect and convenient.

Posted by: the girl | September 8, 2010, 11:32 am 11:32 am

Maybe, assuming he is still Mayor of Chicago in a couple more years, he will have a need for a “community organizer”…that’s not quite the same as a “union organizer, but it is close enough……and, Rahm, do I have a candidate in mind……………………next on the list hopefully will be the “newsless” Press Secretary…..why watch, it is a waste of time……(Rahm, you will need one of those, too).

Posted by: justj joey | September 8, 2010, 11:33 am 11:33 am

….and all this time I thought you Chicagoans had some class.

Posted by: justj joey | September 8, 2010, 11:34 am 11:34 am

So Axlerod says that Rahm has the “personality” to be mayor of Chicago, eh? And exactly what frightening traits woudl that personality encompass?

Posted by: Munster42 | September 8, 2010, 11:37 am 11:37 am

well that’s one way to dismiss him – and of course its the double whammy – the kiss of political death for everyone Obama endorses, about says it all

Posted by: jackspratt1 | September 8, 2010, 11:43 am 11:43 am

Wonderful. Get him out of the White House. He can go back to Chicago and resume sending political opponents dead fish in the mail.

Posted by: Meshugener | September 8, 2010, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

Rahm hsa the ‘personality’ for the job, and of course, it is the only job ‘opening’ available at the moment, Iran, Korea, and Myanmar, have dictators already!!

Posted by: Apeon | September 8, 2010, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

I just bet the Prez is pleased….no more “F”..bombs, right? Wrong. But, I am sure everyone one in the WH is pleased as punch. Bye, bye Rahm…..

Posted by: sharinlite | September 8, 2010, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

It won’t matter who runs against Rahm if the Chicago Political Machine wants Rahm they control the vote count from the ballot boxes, so guess what Rham wins.

Posted by: Robert Young | September 8, 2010, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

How about sending ALL of the Obama administration back to Chicago?

Posted by: angus | September 8, 2010, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm

Being that besides Hudson County, NJ, and Cook County, Ill are two of the most corrupt counties in the US, Ron Emanuel should fit right in.

Posted by: Kathy | September 8, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

Bet his knees ache

Posted by: Jim Rod | September 8, 2010, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

If Chicago further plagues itself and America with this disgusting gun grabbing treasonous lout, we should declare Chicago and enemy of the united states and have it defeated in war. This mecca of Alinskyism is fomenting domestic terrorists like Axelrod, Jarret, Rahma, Daley and Obama and THEY MUST BE STOPPED. IT IS OUT OF BLOODY CONTROL.

Posted by: Mick Russom | September 8, 2010, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm

Rahm has one big problem – he doesn’t live in Chicago. By November he would need to have a Chicago address and all the signatures needed to file, I’m sure that by then both will be done. I’m glad I’m outta there!!!

Posted by: Former Chicago Resident | September 8, 2010, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

I’m thinking that Rahm is heading back to Chitown in the wake of Obama’s performance, the Blago debacle, and the coming scandals. He needs to go back and hush things over, appoint people to plush jobs, twist arms of whistleblowers, and consolidate the power of the community agitators, illegal aliens, and corrupt politicians to continue to support Obama.

Posted by: Ed | September 8, 2010, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

Rahm “The Weasel” Emanuel is the perfect fit for Chicago. Gotta keep the corrupt wheels turning in that city. Al Capone was more honest than this guy!
Doesn’t he look like a weasel? Or maybe a ferret?

Posted by: Percy Dovetonsils | September 8, 2010, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

The chicago d-crat socialist political machine finally switches from a daley and goes for… a #@&%!* rahm! At least with #@&%!* rahm, NOBODY in chicago needs to ask the MOST IMPORTANT question: Is he corrupt enough to run chicago.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.”
Is chicago part of california, or does it just act like it is?

Posted by: TeaPartyPatriot | September 8, 2010, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

It’s the “Peter Principal” in action. But Rahm has ALREADY risen to his level of incompetence. Maybe Tinkerbell should just go back to being a ballerina.

Posted by: Average Joe | September 8, 2010, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Please don’t go Rahm!! You make BO the great leader he is. Please stay there’s more to screw up.

Posted by: Marc | September 8, 2010, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

Wow. These comments are incredible. Nothing of substance, only opinionated attacks and schoolyard name calling. I weep for the future of our country not only because of crook politicians and big corporations buying elections, but because of the arrested mental development of my countrymen.

Posted by: Jim | September 8, 2010, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

Rahm will become mayor of Chicago but the Daly Machine will not forget being ejected from the seat of power. Rahm will be found dead, wearing concrete overshoes, in 60 feet of cold Lake Michigan water with a bullet hole to the back of the head.

Posted by: DonUSNAVY | September 8, 2010, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Daley dropped out since Daley was quite aware of polls that show he stood a real good chance of LOSING.
WHY would anyone want Rahm as chicago mayor?..
Rahm’s ”advice” has been perfectly valueless to anyone least of all Obama in turning around the country for the interests and avg working people.
Rahm is agent of fixed-trade, job-exporting, speculators who like the take taxpayer money interest free and use it to gamble,
while keeping the profits when they ‘win’,
and passing the bill back to evicted, broke and unemployed when the speculators lose.. all with Rahm/Obamas approval.
whats not to despise in this guy?

Posted by: albert honaker | September 8, 2010, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

We all know Chicago is a very corrupt city.
Is it THE most corrupt? I wouldn’t doubt it. And some of that corruption moved to D.C.

Posted by: vette girl | September 8, 2010, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

My sympathy to the citizens of Chicago for the stress you must now experience just thinking he might run.

Posted by: malcat | September 8, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm

David (the AXE) is a naitve New Yorker. I know. We grew up together and went to school together in New York. Who knew a New Yorker could tame the wilds of Chicago politics!

Posted by: Ben | September 8, 2010, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

If the Chicagoans vote Rahm in, they get what they deserve.

Posted by: nooneyouknow | September 8, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

Rahm leaves the White House and goes to Chicago: The average IQ of BOTH places goes up!

Posted by: JP | September 8, 2010, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm

As a lifelong Chicagoan, this is the final straw. If I have to choose between Rahm and Dart.. I choose to leave. Goodbye Chicago, I’m taking my tax dollars and myself elsewhere. Such a shame to watch this once great city die. Rahm will be disappointed- Daley left the city bankrupt anyways.

Posted by: Frank | September 8, 2010, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

Very bad plan for Chicago.

Posted by: sdp000 | September 8, 2010, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

Excuse me……..we need to Vote first?

Posted by: welovetheUSA | September 8, 2010, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm

How Nice!! Emanuel is the anointed next mayor of Chicago. Oh, Nooo !!!! You Chicagoans already have a miserable socialist dictatorship in city hall now. Start packing, it’s time to abandon the city. Save yourselves.

Posted by: Bob | September 8, 2010, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

I think anyone who is closely affiliated with Obama will find election by popular vote impossible.
Maybe Daley could ‘appoint’ Rahm Emmanuel, and Obama could apply a thousand Justice Department lawyers to try to get it to stick, but he could never get elected
Obama-style government has failed the people in a massive, transparent style, and no one was more involved than Rahm Emmanuel.

Posted by: Facts | September 8, 2010, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

Started at the bottom, and stayed right there.

Posted by: barby | September 8, 2010, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

So what if he has BO’s blessing? This is a democracy, not a monarchy or in the case of Chicago, a thugocracy. Wait, having said that, I figured out that’s exactly what Chicago is. It’s Demothughland. Of course Mr. Pottymouth Snothead wants to be the king there.

Posted by: AnneP | September 8, 2010, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

If Rahm (Foul Mouth) Emmanuel becomes Mayor, or anything, in Chicago, they’d better stock up on soap. To clean his mouth out every time he opens it.

Posted by: Jennie Maroney | September 8, 2010, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Isn’t Chicago corrupt enough? Do they really need another thug who knows how to twist arms, while mouthing off with his famous four letter words. I forgot, that’s where Emmanuel learned how to twist arms. That’s why Obama hired him in the first place. Who will Obama pick now?

Posted by: Jennie Maroney | September 8, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

Isn’t Chicago corrupt enough? Do they really need another thug who knows how to twist arms, while mouthing off with his famous four letter words. I forgot, that’s where Emmanuel learned how to twist arms. That’s why Obama hired him in the first place. Who will Obama pick now?

Posted by: Jennie Maroney | September 8, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

Is is “allowed” to give his “blessing”? He’s still looking for a church, isn’t he?

Posted by: RUKidding | September 8, 2010, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm

If Chicago puts this loon in the mayor’s office then they deserve every ounce of misery and stupidity that will come with him.

Posted by: Frank | September 8, 2010, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

He is a “dual citizen” so that qualifies him to be a CROOK.

Posted by: Mogen David | September 8, 2010, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm

Are voters in Chicago stupid enough to elect this progressive piece of crap?

Posted by: Duke | September 8, 2010, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

We have to thank the whole Obama administration, because they have brought back a unity that was slipping away and right minded people were beginning to get muddled in their thinking. I’ve met quite a few people who have embarrassingly admitted to voting for the jackass and will not make that mistake again. Go November – Obama, it’s just the beginning of the end for you and your communist crowd.

Posted by: sueboo | September 8, 2010, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

I am glad to see this is not a democracy and the people have any say in the matter. Its almost as if You the elitist media are annointing him.

Posted by: Drew | September 8, 2010, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm

If anyone believes old Daley is stepping down voluntarily….think again. This has been all preplanned.
If people elect Rahm the Evil, they deserve every second of grief that is coming to Chicago. Bank on it.
The man is sheer evil.

Posted by: Rowwdy | September 8, 2010, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

To answer one of the previous posters…Yes, Chicagoans are dumb enough to vote for this thug for mayor…is there any doubt? Chicago voters are among the most ignorant in the country. No basis for voting except to elect the corrupt Democratic machine. They get what they deserve.
Unfortunately, the rest of the country got what it deserved in 2008 by electing the Chicago political hack and community organizer, Barack Hussein Obama…..

Posted by: Norm | September 8, 2010, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm

It appears that little lord Daley will be turning the keys of the cesspool over to his illegimate son…You deserve what you get Chicago.

Posted by: IraqVet | September 8, 2010, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

Posted by: Duke |
Duke the irony of you calling others stupid while referring to Rahm as “progressive” is hilarious. (He’s more centrist, pragmatic, corporate and willing to punch progressives and hipppies)
But I do think Rahm would be a decent and colorful mayor of Chicago;– and he should go for it while the opportunity exists. And I would hope the President would use the opening to appoint someone that who will useful to him during the second half of his term (while also appointing Elizabeth Warren sooner rather than later!)

Posted by: Kris | September 9, 2010, 3:39 am 3:39 am

….Chicago is a very corrupt city….Is it THE most corrupt? I wouldn’t doubt it.
Posted by: vette girl |
Well, if you look at states, Illinois is number 18– even with our horrid governors.
The most corrupt states are red states (according to corruption charges per capita)— North Dakota, Louisiana, Alaska, Mississippi, Kentucky– but certainly in Chicago the greased palm is more accepted than it ought to be.

Posted by: Kris | September 9, 2010, 3:52 am 3:52 am

Does Chicago deserve him?

Posted by: rowley | September 9, 2010, 9:53 am 9:53 am

Blessing?
More like the Kiss of Death!

Posted by: nceeno | September 9, 2010, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

He most certainly does have the personality to rule Chicago. He, like his BFF, Barky, studied the Chicago Mafia School of Management. What does this say about the potential personal gains of the mayor’s office if DeadFish is willing to give up his position as the most influential man in America?! (Cuz Barky is just DeadFish’s talking sock puppet.)

Posted by: Sharon | September 28, 2010, 6:54 am 6:54 am

IF I lived in Chicago (I don’t) I would be angered at the thought and implication that Rahm Emanuel is ENTITLED to the City of Chicago’s mayorship because Obama and his team say he is.
For that reason alone, he’d NEVER EVER get my vote.
Wake up Chicago and elect someone who desreves to be your city’s mayor.

Posted by: Mr.Data | September 28, 2010, 9:05 am 9:05 am

Mayor Rahm Emanuel;
parish the thought,The sole desire of this politician is as being as powerful as roman senate.
His view being last answer on any subject.
Watchout CHICAGO

Posted by: CAL SHUMMON | November 10, 2010, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

If Mayor Emmanuel proves me wrong,i’ll buy him lobster and steak dinner w/ glass of pinot grigio.
and personally apologize in past experience/opinion

Posted by: SEAFALCON | June 15, 2011, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

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