Countdown to Rahmageddon: The Race is On
By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 15, 2010 2:00PM
The deadline to file for the mayoral election is next Monday, but James Meeks, Danny Davis and Rahm Emanuel all formally announced their candidacies for the seat being vacated by Richard Daley over the weekend. Each candidate said that they were the best choice to unite Chicago's residents lead the city into the future. None of the candidates offered specifics as to how they would do that.
Emanuel staged his announcement in the gymnasium of Coonley Elementary in Albany Park, where he reminded those gathered for the announcement that Chicago "is where I was born, and where my children were raised. They are the fourth generation of my family to live here." Emanuel also said that only the once in a lifetime opportunity to serve as President Obama's chief of staff could have made him leave, "And only the opportunity to lead the city could have pried me away from the President’s side." Not all was wine and roses at Emanuel's announcement. As you can see from the photos above, there were some protesters calling for Emanuel to be indicted or rail against the opportunistic nature of Emanuel's campaign.
Longtime Congressman Davis made his announcement at the Hotel Allegro. Despite having been selected by a group of African-American business, political and civic leaders as the "consensus" Black candidate for mayor, Davis told his supporters that his campaign was a "grassroots" effort, and he was the one best suited to unite the city and lead. "(W)e the people can exercise our God given rights to participate, be involved and make decisions about ourselves and our city.”
Meeks, making his announcement at the UIC Forum last night, was announced to the stage by former Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna as an example that Meeks can reach past differences in party philosophy, class and race to find a consensus method for governing. Meeks brought all of his ministerial oratorical skills to the fore, working up the crowd and even passing a hat around like a church service, imploring attendees not to leave without making a campaign contribution.
Emanuel also showed the rapidly growing war chest at his disposal. His first campaign commercial is now online and will hit television airwaves today. The theme of the ad, Emanuel can make the "tough" decisions to prevent Chicago from becoming a "second-class city." At the very least, it shows "The Rahmformer" knows how to shake a hand.