Somethings never change: Aide quits Rahm Emanuel's transition team due to ethics violations

Remember the early days of the Obama administration and the parade of tax cheats and crooked politicians? Well, it seems like Rahm Emanuel has brought that habit with him back to Chicago.

Chicago Tribune: A veteran politician Rahm Emanuel named to his mayoral transition team resigned her high-level state job last summer and paid a fine for conducting political business on state time, according to a newly filed ethics report.

Judy Erwin, a co-chair of Emanuel's mayoral campaign, said late Friday night that she would resign her new post on his transition team after the Tribune contacted her and the campaign. She said she hadn't informed Emanuel of the ethics violation.

Erwin, the former executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, admitted using her office e-mail and phone while working on a campaign committee for presidential candidate Barack Obama, using staff resources to plan her trip to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and engaging in campaign fundraising activity while on the job, the state's Executive Ethics Commission ruled in a decision filed Feb. 16.

The ethics commission said she cooperated with the investigation by the executive inspector general, reimbursed the state, agreed to pay a $4,000 fine and promised to never work for the state again. She resigned Aug. 15.

That was a very short promise.  If Chicago thought it was going to get real Hope and Change from Team Rahm, they are in for a rude awakening.  Read the rest of the story for cozy nexus between Judy Erwin and the Obama administration.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Chicago Tribune

Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral race

CNN: Chicago (CNN) -- Rahm Emanuel, the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, won the Chicago mayoral election over five other challengers Tuesday, topping the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff vote, CNN projects.

With almost 75% of the vote counted, Emanuel had almost 55% of the vote, far outdistancing his rivals.

Former Chicago School Board head Gery Chico was in second place with 25%, while City Clerk Miguel del Valle had 9% and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun had more than 8%. The other two candidates both had less than 2%.

While Tuesday's vote was technically the Democratic primary, there is no Republican contender in the heavily Democratic city, so Emanuel will succeed Richard M. Daley in the top job long associated with the Daley family. [MORE]

This was pretty much expected. I am curious to see how he governs. Many on the far left accused Rahm Emanuel for softening Obama's positions. Now that Emanuel is in the driver's seat we will see just how "moderate" he is.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: CNN

“Mayor” Rahm’s rocky start

Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has started his campaign for the Mayor of Chicago.  It looks like he is in for a bumpy ride.

First, his kick off video ended up projecting the word; “carpetbagger”!

Ben Smith, Politico [emphasis mine]: Rahm Emanuel kicked off his campaign for mayor of Chicago with a homecomingvideo, filmed in front of a bookshelf with a vase and a family photograph.

"I was born here, and my wife Amy and I raised our three children here," he says. "I'm glad to be home."

But an Emanuel spokeswoman, Lori Goldberg, confirms that the video itself was actually filmed in Washington, D.C., in the offices of AKPD Message and Media, the firm founded by David Axelrod.

The fact that Emanuel's use of the word "here" wasn't accurate is an amusing footnote to what Illinois lawyers say may be a serious legal problem: Rivals are challenging Emanuel's residency, and his right to run will hinge on where his "home" actually is. Emanuel didn't respond in detail Monday to a question on the subject. [MORE] 

Residency is problem number two.  It appears in all the excitement poor Rahm forgot the read the fine print on the qualifications for Chicago Mayor. 

Chicago Sun Times: CHICAGO--The first question isn't: Can Rahm win? It's: Can Rahm run?

Sunday, Rahm Emanuel announced in a video posted on a website that he is preparing to run for mayor of Chicago. But two of Chicago's top election lawyers say the state's municipal code is crystal clear that a candidate for mayor must reside in the town for a year before the election.

That doesn't mean they must simply own a home in the city that they rent out to someone else. They must have a place they can walk into, keep a toothbrush, hang up their jacket and occasionally sleep, the lawyers say.

Another three election lawyers say Emanuel could be thrown off the ballot on a residency challenge. None says Emanuel will have it easy. […]

Ironically, President Obama would have no problem coming back to Chicago to run for mayor because he never rented out his home and has come back to stay there on rare occasions.

"He has a physical location that he owns and has exclusive right to live in," said attorney Jim Nally.

But Emanuel's problem as he prepares to run for mayor is that he rented out his house, and the tenant refuses to back out of the lease. [MORE]

It is ironic that Obama, who has been dogged endlessly about his eligibility for President, has a stronger claim to run for Mayor than Rahm does.  While there is a little wiggle room in the law that will help Rahm’s case, I expect other mayoral candidates to push this issue hard.

Finally, Rahm Emanuel seems to be having a little trouble gaining support from his Jewish brethren.

Chicago Tribune: Some might assume that the idea of a Rahm Emanuel candidacy for mayor would be cause for celebration alongDevon Avenue, the longtime rialto of Chicago's Jewish community.

After all, Emanuel attended an Orthodox synagogue before going from Chicago to the White House, and his family is highly respected in West Rogers Park, where his father, Benjamin, was a pediatrician. The numbers of those who say Dr. Emanuel took care of their kids is roughly similar to the legion that claimed to have witnessed Babe Ruth point to theWrigley Field bleachers and hit that famed home run.

But Rahm Emanuel, who begins his Chicago "listening tour" this week, is about to discover that all politics aren't local.

In the Jewish neighborhoods on the Far North Side, Rahm Emanuel is more associated with what he did in Washingtonthan what he might do in Chicago's City Hall.

"There are questions about his positions on Israel," said Chesky Montrose, 32, who was wearing a skull cap and pushing one child in a stroller while keeping an eye on two others bicycling down Devon. "It's not logical that international policy would influence a race for mayor. But there is some resentment here, no doubt." [MORE]

Oy Vey! 

Despite these troubles and rocky start, I would not count Rahm Emanuel out yet.  The Chicago machine is legendary and Rahm comes from that machine.  I am quite sure he knows where all the bells and whistles are located.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Via: Chicago Sun Times

Via: Chicago Tribune

Rahm Emanuel likely resign White House Chief of Staff position by Friday

ABC News: Although no final decision has been made because of family considerations, ABC News has learned that White House officials are preparing for Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to announce on Friday -- as Congress adjourns for recess -- that he is leaving his post to explore a run for mayor of Chicago.

White House officials expect that President Obama will also name an interim chief of staff, perhaps senior adviser Pete Rouse, at the announcement.

Sources close to Emanuel cautioned that he has yet to pull that last trigger on the decision.

Emanuel's likely departure is not a surprise; his mayoral aspirations are well known.

Longtime Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's announcement earlier this month that he would not seek reelection created the opportunity that Emanuel has long been seeking.

This is a little surprising that Rahm is going to leave before midterm elections, so much for loyalty to the president.  Rahm is clearly going for his dream, Obama be damn.  Perhaps this is why so many in the base are not too fond of Rahm.

That brings me to the next thought, so many people on the left blame Rahm Emanuel for Obama’s failure; will these lefty then come out and support Rahm for Chicago mayor?  Something tells me that Rahm is going to have one heck of a primary fight on his hands.  Maybe that is why he needs to leave early.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: ABC News

Dick Durbin sidesteps endorsing Rahm Emanuel for Chicago Mayor

If I were Rahm Emanuel, I would seriously reconsider running for Chicago Mayor.  From what I have repeated read on lefty blogs, many on the left blame Rahm for Obama’s shortcomings.  It looks like Dick Durbin is hedging his bets against a lefty backlash.

Take this as yet another preview of the Great Dem on Dem fight that will come after November.

Via: Memeorandum

Video h/t: Fire Dog Lake

UPDATED: Rahm Emanuel To Quit White House?

UK Telegraph: Washington insiders say he will quit within six to eight months in frustration at their unwillingness to "bang heads together" to get policy pushed through.

Mr Emanuel, 50, enjoys a good working relationship with Mr Obama but they are understood to have reached an understanding that differences over style mean he will serve only half the full four-year term.

Friends say he is also worried about burnout and losing touch with his young family due to the pressure of one of most high profile jobs in US politics.

"I would bet he will go after the midterms," said a leading Democratic consultant in Washington. "Nobody thinks it's working but they can't get rid of him – that would look awful. He needs the right sort of job to go to but the consensus is he'll go." [MORE] 

If true, this will be something to look forward to in 2011! Rahm Emanuel is the one the far left blames for almost all of Obama’s policy failures. They see Rahm as the cause for Obama’s compromises on policy (seriously).

Something tells me that Rahm won’t be the only one looking for an exit after midterms. The oil spill has washed away any of the Hopey Changey hype of 2008. What is left will be pretty hard to defend going into 2012.  Add on the inevitable circular firing squad that is sure to follow the massive Democratic losses in November and I am certain Rahm won’t be the only one looking for the door.

If America is really lucky, perhaps some of the White House’s biggest failures will be on the departure list too (paging Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano).

UPDATE: White House responds

Fox News: Citing Washington insiders, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph said Emanuel was fed up with the "idealism" of President Barack Obama's closest advisers and was concerned about burning out and losing touch with his three children due to the pressure of the job.

In response to the report, a senior White House official told Fox News the "ludicrous" story was "not worth looking into."

That's what they all say, we will see what the real deal is after November.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: UK Telegraph
Via: Fox News

Michael Moore wants Rahm Emanuel’s job

What has got to be the zaniest thing I ever read, Michael Moore writes another open letter to Obama asking to be Rahm Emanuel’s replacement. Moore is completely delusional about what is actually going on in Washington and why Obama is failing.  Here are some excerpts, tell me if you think this has anything to do with reality. 

Now, don't get too giddy with excitement over my offer, because you and I are going to be up at 5 in the morning, seven days a week and I am going to get you pumped up for battle every single day (see photo). Each morning you and I will do 100 jumping jacks and you will repeat after me:

"THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ELECTED ME, NOT THE REPUBLICANS, TO RUN THE COUNTRY! I AM IN CHARGE! I WILL ORDER ALL OBSTRUCTIONISTS OUTTA MY WAY! IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M DOING THEY CAN THROW MY ASS OUT IN 2012. IN THE MEANTIME, I CALL THE SHOTS ON THEIR BEHALF! NOW, CONGRESS, DROP AND GIVE ME 50!!"

Then we will put on our jogging sweats and run up to Capitol Hill. We will take names, kick butts, and then take some more names. If we have to give a few noogies or half-nelson's, then so be it. In our pockets we will have a piece of paper to show the pansy Dems just how much they won by in 2008 -- and the poll results that show the majority of Americans oppose the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and want the bankers punished. Like drill sergeants, we will get right up in their faces and ask them, "WHAT PART OF THE PUBLIC MANDATE DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, SOLDIER?!! DROP AND GIVE ME 50!"

I would pay top dollar to see a lard ass like Michael Moore attempt a jumping jack or even jog 5 feet! I would pay even more to see Obama crash and burn attempting to follow that totalitarian attitude Moore suggests.

If you read the rest of the letter, you will find that Moore sees Obama’s set backs as merely a failure of D’s to overcome R’s. In classic liberal/ progressive fashion, Moore fails to blame the actual policies as the culprit.

Oh, one more thing, Moore offers to work for a $1 a year and sleep on a cot in some corner of the White House. That would be fine, but what the food bill?  Just how many Waygu steaks can Michael Moore put away?

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Huffington Post