Race Spotlight: Emanuel vs. Kaszak for Chicago's Fifth

W A S H I N G T O N, March 4, 2002 -- Rahm Emanuel is his own man, something he doesn't need to point out.

But it's not often that a Congressional candidate attracts strategists of presidential caliber who have experience managing a White House. And Emanuel, a quick-speaking, laser-focused former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton who is now a candidate for an open House seat in Chicago, is flacking to voters his influence and knowledge of Washington, and a message of reform and economic conservatism.

He's running on the platform Al Gore didn't — Bill Clinton's prosperity got America where it is today. And Emanuel has the same link to the magic. (To be fair, though, Emanuel has the luxury that Gore didn't: he's running in an incredibly Democratic district, in which the pro-Clinton message makes sense).

But retail politicking is also a must in the fifth district, a Crayola box of ethnicities and economic diversity. Home to a mixture of white ethnics — Poles, Romanians, and Ukrainians — the 5th also sports a powerful gay community. It's home to moderate white citydwellers who live in expensive houses and who value safety and security. It draws chalk lines around part of O'Hare International Airport, adding to its international flavor. It gave Clinton big majorities in 1992 and 1996.

Emanuel, who is Jewish, claims that he's both a local — he was born here, grew up here, lived here for most of his life, and now makes his home in Ravenswood as an investment banker — and an outsider. Though he demurs when asked about conversations he may have had with sitting members of the Democratic caucus, he says his focus is on what will work for his constituents.

But his primary opponent, a lawyer and former Illinois state Rep. Nancy Kaszak, has institutional connections that Emanuel doesn't. And while it's somewhat of a stretch to call him a carpetbagger, as Kaszak's staff tends to do, ethnic ties can cut deeply in such a diverse district. Kaszak is Polish, and Poles constitute a healthy slice of the voters.

The district's current officeholder, Rep. Rod Blagojevich, announced in August that he's running for governor.

Kaszak announced her candidacy before Emanuel. She touts her experience as a community activist and hopes to benefit from her Polish-American heritage. She has about $1 million to spend.

"I have a record to run on, and he just has promises," Kaszak said in an interview.

She has spent 25 years in the district, built an extensive voting record as a state legislator, and has the name identification that comes with having participated in several grassroots issue campaigns.

In 1996, she ran against Blagojevich in the Democratic primary, losing narrowly. Voters less familiar with the politics of the district might remember her from her successful crusade to get Wrigley Field to dim its lights. She started to campaign much earlier than Emanuel, worked to build a raft of contacts in the district's ethnic communities, and has refreshed some voters by not appearing to court the city's Democratic machine.

Asked what issues motivate the district — and how her views set her apart from Emanuel — she simply said, "Economic security is a very important issue. Women are also concerned about choice. I am a pro-choice candidate." (Emanuel is also pro-choice).

They do differ on trade. Kaszak wants to "protect" workers, while Emanuel championed Bill Clinton's NAFTA policy. (Friday, the Washington-based interest group EMILY's List released a television ad that criticizes Emanuel on the policy, alleging that it cost Illinois thousands of jobs. EMILY's List, which supports women office-seekers, has been a longtime Kaszak supporter).

But the Chicago Tribune noted that the candidates picked the same position 45 of 49 times on an issue questionnaire — not surprising for two center-left Democrats running in a liberal, urban environment.

So personality and verve fill the gap.

Kaszak spends much of her time event-hopping. A Polka party here, a woman's group meeting there.

"I am from this community," she says. "He is somebody that has just come into the district, and doesn't have many connections with the district."

For his part, Emanuel is working to build as many connections as he can. He confirms that he wakes up at 5 a.m. to prepare for his day and often doesn't sleep until after midnight. A typical day includes a morning swim, several daily interviews, lunch at a Korean or Ukrainian cafe, hand-grabbing along a bus route, a debate at an industrial council, and ending the day with a visit to a senior center and maybe a fund-raiser.

The grind is just part of the routine.

"I've been involved in public service my whole life," he said. "I believe in public service," he said.

But he's not the typical public servant.

And he's brought in a fusilade of former Clinton stars, from Bill Clinton himself, who came in early February, to the Polish former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. John Shalikashvili. But he's also won the support of the legendary and revered Sen. Paul Simon, not to mention the city's mayor, Richard Daley, and many prominent alderman. And he obtained key interest group endorsements, including the always-important police unions and the AFL-CIO chapter.

The names alone bring him attention from the national media, already focused on three former Clinton Cabinet members who are running for statewide office.

Last week, the campaign released its first ad, and plans to blanket the Chicago market with spots from now until March 19, the day of the primary. Through December 31, Emanuel raised more than a $1 million, and his staff predicts flush coffers through the next month.

Another way that Emanuel's campaign is like Clinton's presidency: it has lots of single-minded, extremely talented and forceful staffers.

Democratic strategist Paul Begala "chairs" Emanuel's campaign staff. Gene Sperling, the former chair of the National Economic Council, helps to write his speeches. Pollster Stan Greenberg crunches the numbers.

And if Emanuel sounds a bit too, well, on message, it's deliberate. He'd much rather discuss his outlook than the technicalities of his political operation.

He does say that his campaign persona differs from his persona as a staff member.

"It's about you, this time," he said.

And what did he learn from his years as a staff member?

"Just don't sell the people short. They do care about politics if you get them engaged."