The on-again, off-again race for Chicago mayor

[Smiley and West]

	Smiley: "If the new buzz word in our politics is civility, Rahmbo is the wrong choice in Chicago."     West: "Chicago's too great a city to end up with a mayor like Rahm Emanuel. My God."

[Laura Matthew]

Don, did you view the link that I posted? Do you still think that there is any question about Braun's fitness to be mayor of Chicago? If so you are the lone hold out. Trust me, Carol Moseley Braun has so damaged herself in this city, she has not only destroyed her chances to become Mayor, she will never be elected to anything in this city. My advice to her is to move, and possibly changer her name.

There are many families in Chicago who have struggled with the perils of addiction. We took it personal. She committed political suicide in this city and nailed her coffin shut. 

Don Washington said:

I've following this race with a professional interest as an opposition researcher who for contractual reasons is working for no one in this race but will have to vote of someone. I see that you are voting for Rahm and there is nothing wrong with that. What I wonder is why and I am certain that you have very good reasons. Some people do. But I also suspect that you may not know an awful lot about any of the candidates because our media is very bad at what it does and Rahm has reality bending money for media. So I suggest you peruse this and then do your own research. It may not have any impact on you
 but then again it might. http://mayoraltutorial.com/political-basement/#rahmbo

Laura Matthew said:

This is the one time I will have to disagree with both of you. I am a registered voter in the city of Chicago and I am voting for Rahm.  I have yet to hear any specifics from anyone beyond personality that would make me feel or act otherwise. Chicagoans are the ones who need to make their choice for the city. And we will.

 

[Don Washington]

I agree. She is a hot mess in many ways but she always has been. I suggest that you dig through the whole site and find a candidate who really fits your values and self-interest, which might be Rahm. http://mayoraltutorial.com/

 

What I've noticed about this race is how little actual information the media transmits on a daily basis about any candidate. Certainly Carol's slur is worthy of head shaking but her actions as a public servant are far more alarming.

[Laura Matthew]

Don, the reason so little real information is getting out is because the attention has been focused on non-issues, such as Rahm's residency. It has truly been a circus here. First we started out with so many candidates it became a joke. Then certain members of the African - American community (where I have lived and worked for 12+ years btw) decided they all needed to come together and anoint a "consensus candidate." Well, being dictated who to vote for, not to mention the shallow notion that any African-American candidate would automatically be the best thing for the Black community went over like a lead balloon.  In the end, by the time it was narrowed down to who was actually running the whole fiasco about Rahm's residency rose to a fever pitch.

Honestly, the other candidates, if they lose, they lost the race with the same old political shenanigans that have been in place for eons in Chicago. And it is continuing still. Accusations and personal attacks, misrepresenting the other guys agenda, rather than presenting your own. The God's honest truth is that despite his past, to date Rahm has ran an exemplary campaign that has been overwhelmingly positive, presented his stand on the issues, and risen above the fray. However you might feel personally about the man, many politicians could learn a thing or two about how the man has run for mayor.

He has earned the respect of many astute politicians, such as Clinton and Obama, enough for them to trust him enough to have him very close at hand. I'm thinking it must be for a reason. 

He has presented a plan for increased after-school programing, and more officers on the street. He has also presented a plan to attack the "food deserts" in Chicago, and to revamp our bike lanes to make it easier and safer for people to use bikes as transportation. He wants to decrease the sales tax and replace it with a luxury tax. Those are just a few that I can name right off the top of my head. My community is Auburn Gresham/ Englewood. He has spent a lot of time campaigning here. A lot of time. Which he did not have to do to win.

Thanks Don. I appreciate the tone of your conversation.

Don Washington said:

I agree. She is a hot mess in many ways but she always has been. I suggest that you dig through the whole site and find a candidate who really fits your values and self-interest, which might be Rahm. http://mayoraltutorial.com/

 

What I've noticed about this race is how little actual information the media transmits on a daily basis about any candidate. Certainly Carol's slur is worthy of head shaking but her actions as a public servant are far more alarming.

[Don Washington]

I appreciate your tone as well. I very much agree that the shallow "consensus candidate" nonsense in the African-American community is absolutely pointless. It is true that Rahm has run a positive campaign. When your campaign investors give you almost 12 million dollars you can pretty much buy anything. But the actual problem here is that what he has chosen to do is avoid talking directly to the community in a meaningful way. And when I say the community I mean every community. There have been at least ten gatherings of Chicagoans numbering into the thousands and Rahm refuses to go to them. Shaking hands at an el-stop is not being grilled by people who know the issues and will not take it easy on you. The other candidates have shown up and in many cases have been found wanting.

 

The thing that alarms me is that he has not been exactly truthful and his past is not the sort of thing that puts him on the side of say middle class, working class or the poor, which is most of Chicago. He really has been the political black hat who has gotten wealthy and powerful doing the work of some of the most viscious (Think I spelled that wrong.) interests in our society. (Investment banks. Mortgage brokers. Derivitative traders. Pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies. Oil companies and this is just the short list.) I think about two ads in particular as to the level of deception his massive amount of money allows him to engage in. The Obama ad and the I'm going to stop insiders from getting wealthy ad.

 

President Obama has not endorsed him or anyone else. He may even have gently fired him. He is the political insider who became wealthy and fantastically so. Having him tell us that he's going to put an end to this is not so much the fox guarding the hen house, it's the fox eating the hen in front of you and telling you it's the only way to keep the hen safe.

[Laura Matthew]

Well, we'll apparently get a chance to see. I would disagree with the take on his departure from the White House. Obama said he thought Rahm would make a great Mayor and his commercials run non-stop. One of the things I do like about Rahm is that he has consistently expressed his desire to be mayor long before Daley's announcement. There is a big difference in a person who perceives a position as a vocation and one who sees it as just a job, or worse yet another political notch on their belt. 

That is one of the big turnoffs for Braun and Roland Burris. They run for EVERYTHING. Public office is not the equivalent of your local unemployment office. Just because you have the name recognition does not mean you are qualified for any and every public office. 

Nice "talking" to you. If you're from the city be safe and stay warm!

Don Washington said:

I appreciate your tone as well. I very much agree that the shallow "consensus candidate" nonsense in the African-American community is absolutely pointless. It is true that Rahm has run a positive campaign. When your campaign investors give you almost 12 million dollars you can pretty much buy anything. But the actual problem here is that what he has chosen to do is avoid talking directly to the community in a meaningful way. And when I say the community I mean every community. There have been at least ten gatherings of Chicagoans numbering into the thousands and Rahm refuses to go to them. Shaking hands at an el-stop is not being grilled by people who know the issues and will not take it easy on you. The other candidates have shown up and in many cases have been found wanting.

 

The thing that alarms me is that he has not been exactly truthful and his past is not the sort of thing that puts him on the side of say middle class, working class or the poor, which is most of Chicago. He really has been the political black hat who has gotten wealthy and powerful doing the work of some of the most viscious (Think I spelled that wrong.) interests in our society. (Investment banks. Mortgage brokers. Derivitative traders. Pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies. Oil companies and this is just the short list.) I think about two ads in particular as to the level of deception his massive amount of money allows him to engage in. The Obama ad and the I'm going to stop insiders from getting wealthy ad.

 

President Obama has not endorsed him or anyone else. He may even have gently fired him. He is the political insider who became wealthy and fantastically so. Having him tell us that he's going to put an end to this is not so much the fox guarding the hen house, it's the fox eating the hen in front of you and telling you it's the only way to keep the hen safe.

[Don Washington]

I am so trapped here in Logan Square it's incredible. I hope you too are warm and not overwhelmed here in the center of snowstorm central. I lke your spirit. I hope that you will visit the tutorial and other sites to get some information beyond our not very good media because you are clearly very intelligent and care about our city. I want you to go out there and vote in your own best interests and for the values that you uphold.

Laura Matthew said:

Well, we'll apparently get a chance to see. I would disagree with the take on his departure from the White House. Obama said he thought Rahm would make a great Mayor and his commercials run non-stop. One of the things I do like about Rahm is that he has consistently expressed his desire to be mayor long before Daley's announcement. There is a big difference in a person who perceives a position as a vocation and one who sees it as just a job, or worse yet another political notch on their belt. 

That is one of the big turnoffs for Braun and Roland Burris. They run for EVERYTHING. Public office is not the equivalent of your local unemployment office. Just because you have the name recognition does not mean you are qualified for any and every public office. 

Nice "talking" to you. If you're from the city be safe and stay warm!

Don Washington said:

I appreciate your tone as well. I very much agree that the shallow "consensus candidate" nonsense in the African-American community is absolutely pointless. It is true that Rahm has run a positive campaign. When your campaign investors give you almost 12 million dollars you can pretty much buy anything. But the actual problem here is that what he has chosen to do is avoid talking directly to the community in a meaningful way. And when I say the community I mean every community. There have been at least ten gatherings of Chicagoans numbering into the thousands and Rahm refuses to go to them. Shaking hands at an el-stop is not being grilled by people who know the issues and will not take it easy on you. The other candidates have shown up and in many cases have been found wanting.

 

The thing that alarms me is that he has not been exactly truthful and his past is not the sort of thing that puts him on the side of say middle class, working class or the poor, which is most of Chicago. He really has been the political black hat who has gotten wealthy and powerful doing the work of some of the most viscious (Think I spelled that wrong.) interests in our society. (Investment banks. Mortgage brokers. Derivitative traders. Pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies. Oil companies and this is just the short list.) I think about two ads in particular as to the level of deception his massive amount of money allows him to engage in. The Obama ad and the I'm going to stop insiders from getting wealthy ad.

 

President Obama has not endorsed him or anyone else. He may even have gently fired him. He is the political insider who became wealthy and fantastically so. Having him tell us that he's going to put an end to this is not so much the fox guarding the hen house, it's the fox eating the hen in front of you and telling you it's the only way to keep the hen safe.

[Laura Matthew]

Thanks - and yes I will vote as soon as I can dig out. Meant to do it Monday but I got side tracked.

Be Blessed,

Laura

Don Washington said:

I am so trapped here in Logan Square it's incredible. I hope you too are warm and not overwhelmed here in the center of snowstorm central. I lke your spirit. I hope that you will visit the tutorial and other sites to get some information beyond our not very good media because you are clearly very intelligent and care about our city. I want you to go out there and vote in your own best interests and for the values that you uphold.

Laura Matthew said:

Well, we'll apparently get a chance to see. I would disagree with the take on his departure from the White House. Obama said he thought Rahm would make a great Mayor and his commercials run non-stop. One of the things I do like about Rahm is that he has consistently expressed his desire to be mayor long before Daley's announcement. There is a big difference in a person who perceives a position as a vocation and one who sees it as just a job, or worse yet another political notch on their belt. 

That is one of the big turnoffs for Braun and Roland Burris. They run for EVERYTHING. Public office is not the equivalent of your local unemployment office. Just because you have the name recognition does not mean you are qualified for any and every public office. 

Nice "talking" to you. If you're from the city be safe and stay warm!

Don Washington said:

I appreciate your tone as well. I very much agree that the shallow "consensus candidate" nonsense in the African-American community is absolutely pointless. It is true that Rahm has run a positive campaign. When your campaign investors give you almost 12 million dollars you can pretty much buy anything. But the actual problem here is that what he has chosen to do is avoid talking directly to the community in a meaningful way. And when I say the community I mean every community. There have been at least ten gatherings of Chicagoans numbering into the thousands and Rahm refuses to go to them. Shaking hands at an el-stop is not being grilled by people who know the issues and will not take it easy on you. The other candidates have shown up and in many cases have been found wanting.

 

The thing that alarms me is that he has not been exactly truthful and his past is not the sort of thing that puts him on the side of say middle class, working class or the poor, which is most of Chicago. He really has been the political black hat who has gotten wealthy and powerful doing the work of some of the most viscious (Think I spelled that wrong.) interests in our society. (Investment banks. Mortgage brokers. Derivitative traders. Pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies. Oil companies and this is just the short list.) I think about two ads in particular as to the level of deception his massive amount of money allows him to engage in. The Obama ad and the I'm going to stop insiders from getting wealthy ad.

 

President Obama has not endorsed him or anyone else. He may even have gently fired him. He is the political insider who became wealthy and fantastically so. Having him tell us that he's going to put an end to this is not so much the fox guarding the hen house, it's the fox eating the hen in front of you and telling you it's the only way to keep the hen safe.

[Gail T Smith]

I agree with and appreciate Don Washington's well-informed comments on the reasons to be concerned Rahm Emmanuel being mayor.  I'm voting early for Miguel DelValle as soon as the roads are safe again!  Stay safe and warm, everyone.

Gail Smith

'Laura Matthew said:

Thanks - and yes I will vote as soon as I can dig out. Meant to do it Monday but I got side tracked.

Be Blessed,

Laura

Don Washington said:

I am so trapped here in Logan Square it's incredible. I hope you too are warm and not overwhelmed here in the center of snowstorm central. I lke your spirit. I hope that you will visit the tutorial and other sites to get some information beyond our not very good media because you are clearly very intelligent and care about our city. I want you to go out there and vote in your own best interests and for the values that you uphold.

Laura Matthew said:

Well, we'll apparently get a chance to see. I would disagree with the take on his departure from the White House. Obama said he thought Rahm would make a great Mayor and his commercials run non-stop. One of the things I do like about Rahm is that he has consistently expressed his desire to be mayor long before Daley's announcement. There is a big difference in a person who perceives a position as a vocation and one who sees it as just a job, or worse yet another political notch on their belt. 

That is one of the big turnoffs for Braun and Roland Burris. They run for EVERYTHING. Public office is not the equivalent of your local unemployment office. Just because you have the name recognition does not mean you are qualified for any and every public office. 

Nice "talking" to you. If you're from the city be safe and stay warm!

Don Washington said:

I appreciate your tone as well. I very much agree that the shallow "consensus candidate" nonsense in the African-American community is absolutely pointless. It is true that Rahm has run a positive campaign. When your campaign investors give you almost 12 million dollars you can pretty much buy anything. But the actual problem here is that what he has chosen to do is avoid talking directly to the community in a meaningful way. And when I say the community I mean every community. There have been at least ten gatherings of Chicagoans numbering into the thousands and Rahm refuses to go to them. Shaking hands at an el-stop is not being grilled by people who know the issues and will not take it easy on you. The other candidates have shown up and in many cases have been found wanting.

 

The thing that alarms me is that he has not been exactly truthful and his past is not the sort of thing that puts him on the side of say middle class, working class or the poor, which is most of Chicago. He really has been the political black hat who has gotten wealthy and powerful doing the work of some of the most viscious (Think I spelled that wrong.) interests in our society. (Investment banks. Mortgage brokers. Derivitative traders. Pharmaceutical companies. Insurance companies. Oil companies and this is just the short list.) I think about two ads in particular as to the level of deception his massive amount of money allows him to engage in. The Obama ad and the I'm going to stop insiders from getting wealthy ad.

 

President Obama has not endorsed him or anyone else. He may even have gently fired him. He is the political insider who became wealthy and fantastically so. Having him tell us that he's going to put an end to this is not so much the fox guarding the hen house, it's the fox eating the hen in front of you and telling you it's the only way to keep the hen safe.