Backlash For Emanuel Time Cover

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 4, 2013 6:00PM

Time cover (left) photo credit: Mark Seliger

Detractors of Mayor Rahm Emanuel have taken to social media to point out the problems with Time magazine’s glowing cover of the mayor, contrasted to the realities of his recent policies and struggles.

Editor-at-large David von Drehle’s article catches Emanuel at what he calls “the happiest I’ve ever been in public life,” despite the continued hullabaloo over the massive school closings, the persistent gun violence, antagonizing labor unions, concerns his negotiated changes to the parking meter deal will only make Chicago Parking Meters LLC more money and his own flagging approval ratings.

Unfortunately the Time article is behind a paywall, but here is a choice tidbit.

"(Emanuel) has taken on some very large issues, the kind presidents give speeches about: education reform, job creation, unsafe streets"-all of which are showing that Emanuel is "a pragmatic, pro-business New Democrat."

Richard Stengel's editor's note continues the fawning, praising Emanuel because he "doesn't mind making enemies, which is a healthy sign for a mayor." (Especially one with a rubber stamp City Council, amirite?) Time's Alex Rogers adds, "Emanuel has changed from a Washington political hack to a policy wonk focused on creating STEM-heavy high school curriculums and real-world job training programs in community colleges."

"The article only glances over the growing vocal opposition to Emanuel, as Peter Hart of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting notes.

While Time skimps on critics, we get Emanuel-approving quotes from the CEO of United Airlines and the Chicago Tribune editorial page. The magazine knows the score: "The mayor's efforts at school reform, urban redevelopment, infrastructure repair and job training all seem to irritate the status quo in favor of other, often corporate, interests."

In Time's worldview, the "status quo" seem to be unions, parents, teachers and students who want to save their public schools. And on the other side? Reformers and big corporations, standing up to those "special interests." It's a curious way to see the world, but that's where Time is coming from. And there's no doubt whose side Time is on.