Rahm 2028?
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I can't get too enthused about his running. Don't think he'll be my candidate. I get the feeling he's willing to step on some vulnerable people to elevate himself and we've historically seen too much of that in the Democratic party.
For example,
“We did things that were really ridiculous,” he said of Democrats on an episode of Couric’s podcast that posted last week. “Rather than worry about classroom excellence, we were worried about bathroom and locker room access.”
He doesn't acknowledge why people get worried about bathroom and locker room access. It's because the right makes an issue of it. Are the Democrats supposed to say, "Oh! Ok, trans people aren't worthy of dignity." Of course not, because that's not what the Democrats are. These issues arise in the course of campaigns because the Republicans use the underprivileged as pawns. Any Democrat not acknowledging this and speaking and acting accordingly isn't going to get my support.
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He's smart, very, but is he capable? What was his record as mayor?
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Chicago has a tradition of poor leadership at the mayoral level. Both Mayor Daleys did some good things - but left the city in poor financial shape. Rahm did a reasonably decent job of improving the image of the city, focused on tech and education - and made some hard calls to address the financial situation in the city - but the city is still struggling in that area. Daley's giving away the parking meter business really f'd the city long-term, a legacy that perhaps no one can fix. He's smart, tough, articulate, disciplined, strategic -but I'm not sure how well he does with unifying as suggested by Bernard - some parts of the coalition might not show up for him.
One thing that would be interesting is he has no love for Netanyahu - that could be a deal breaker or maker for some.
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Most terms of office are a mixed bag of some sort or another. From what I've read, Rahm's approval rating as mayor fell below 20%, so there was obviously some discontent. And his mayorship has not been scandal-free.
But the other thing about Rahm Emanuel is his strong ties to old party blood. He was in the Clinton and Obama administrations at high levels. We need new blood.
@kluurs wrote,
One thing that would be interesting is he has no love for Netanyahu - that could be a deal breaker or maker for some.
Yes, also he rejects AIPAC and supports a two-state solution. At least there's that.
I wish him luck, but I hope someone fresher comes along for the primaries.
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I think to expect his mayoral term to be a triumph is to ignore the magnitude of the problems the city faced. If he managed some real improvement I’d call it successful but not transformative.
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So I heard him talk about Gaza.
He said his position is Israel shouldn't be given weapons but should be sold them if they follow the applicable laws. He said nothing about the fact Israel doesn't follow the applicable laws.
He said nothing about the fact Israel alone does not allow its nuclear program to be monitored by the relevant international agency.
He said nothing about the fact that AIPAC is a lobby for a foreign agent and, again, refuses to follow our law by registering it as such.
IMHO, his moment on the political stage arrived and has since departed.
Again, JMHO.
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