Is The Chicago Machine Coming To Washington?

I hope people outside of Chicago don't assume that President-elect Barack Obama has a lot in common with Congressman Rahm Emanuel just because he selected him to be his White House chief of staff.

Yes, yes, I know -- they're both allies of Chicago's mayor, Richard M. Daley. But don't read too much into that. With the exception of a few political oddballs and misfits, almost everyone around here is part of Daley's team. They really have no choice. For better or worse, Daley controls the schools, parks, and police, not to mention hundreds of pay rollers and billions of property-tax dollars. If you want a zoning change, building permit, or a business license, you have to go to Daley, or at least to people he has appointed or hired. The attitude in Chicago is you can't beat him -- so you might as well succumb.

For the most part, Mayor Daley's rather benevolent about his power. At least, he believes in being inclusive. Blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics, gays, even country-club Republicans -- they're all welcome to kiss his ring. His only requirement is abject obedience.

The key to understanding the differences between Emanuel and Obama is to analyze the circumstances under which they joined Daley's team.

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Comments

[FLAdeziner]

Being a transplant from Chicago and seeing firsthand how things operate in Chicago & now in Florida, I can tell you that the cities in this nation, could benefit from having a mayor like Daley. He's a 'benevolent dictator', something Chicago needs to even function. He has vision, and wants the city to be the best.
Other cities, looking to be inclusive, have small dreams and end up with even smaller results. Fixing wrongs in Chicago is more of an 'evolution' than a 'revolution', it's true. People often refer to segregation in Chicago, but it can't hold a candle to what I have seen in Florida. This place has the most blatant racism I have ever been witness to. It's as though nothing has changed here for black people in 40 years.
What I hope Obama will bring to Washington, is the Chicago work ethic of getting the job done. Bringing movers and shakers from Chicago to Washington can only be a good thing. So far, the team he assembled for the campaign seems to exemplify that spirit.
Bringing in Rahm to throw a few elbows to keep Pelosi and Reid in line will help get things done. Maybe there will again be debates with the Congress in session and members in their seats. That would be a good concept to go back to. Healthy for the nation.

[Pulemerci]

I hope not. If Obama appoints Robert Kennedy Jr. to the EPA post, will it be awkward knowing that Bill Ayers dedicated one of his books to Sirhan Sirhan?

[stepintothelight]

We do need a regime change here in Chicago. Please don't let this Olympic bs happen. Daley is about as Democratic as a Republican can be. Block 37 ... TIFF's .... The Spire???

Bring our troops home so they can liberate us!!!!

[Stew118]

I grew up in Hyde Park and am a proud Chicagoan- but Mayor Daley has always made me sick to my stomach. I'm not sure that he was thrilled about the election results because for the past 10 years he has been effectively, the most powerful democrat in the country in terms of pursestrings that he personally controls. This year Chicago and the world have taken a big step. In 2011 we must take another and THROW KING DALEY II OUT OF OFFICE!!!

[DuPageDem]

Hyde Park has never been in Daley's column. Pres. Elect Obama would not have been elected to the Ill. Senate from that district, had he been a Daley toady. Our next president has always kept the machine at arm's length, so there's no reason to expect that won't continue.

[Fongenie]

Only if us Chicagoan's get smart and quit electing his tail! The jerk.

[blastit]

I love it that Obama has Rahm and Axelrod, these are the types that have the rethugs running scared and whining like the cowards they are.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Chicago is an awesome city btw, so much better than Atlanta. People actually walk there, so refreshing. It reminds me of my hometown(Montreal). Historical buildings, sidewalks, fine restaurants and the best music on this planet(Give me some house music).

[maranello16]

i sure hope not! Chicago thugs running Washington is not the "change" we need!

[RockySoldier]

ah, so we're not 'real americans', huh?

You know, I'm sick and tired of listening to you 'small town, good values' folk disrespect us. I'm absolutely, 100% fed up with it.

The end state is this: Chicago is among the finest cities on the planet. You and your abject, stereotypical, hypocritical allies expound about 'chicago corruption' constantly like small towns aren't run by 'mini-machines'. give me a break. the republicans don't have machines all over the south? You're full of more manure than a farm!

[haveitoldyoulately]

As a NY'er I feel your annoyance. I have traveled to ChiTown on business many a time, and I have to say, it is my favorite town away from home. I feel right at home....no­t too many places that make you feel that way.

When a tourist tells me, "I cannot believe how nice you people are" I have to chuckle at the half complement, but still burst with pride. That said, only We know who we really are. People who disrespect, have never been too the big cities, to see for theirselves.

[reasonshouldrule]

Agreed! I live in metro Detroit now (and Detroit is a lot better than most people think), but spent years in Chicago. It's a GREAT city. It works, and it has everything you'd ever want in terms of culture, entertainment, and education. Chicago politicians are not "thugs"--they're effective, down-to-earth fighters for (generally speaking) what's best for the people. It's possible that many small-town people just don't understand how cities work.

[jlarue]

I am a Chicago transplant living in San Francisco. No matter what you may say about Chicago there is no doubt that Chicago works! It is a great city full of great people with a great mayor. It is beautiful, clean, and livable. They say in Chicago that if you cant make it there you cant make it anywhere!!! We need more of the no nonsense pragmatism that is used to run Chicago.

[RockySoldier]

A+! We work! The city works! I am a soldier deployed away from the city I love and I can tell you this: I never hear anything negative about Our Town. Greatest city on the planet!

[canucklivinginUSA]

Nicely said Adrienne. That is how I see Emanuel. I want tough guys who are going to get things done, no yes men/women. And the fact that Repubs are fretting adds to my delight of this pick

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

The reason why Obama picked Rahm Emanuel is a choice of personal style. Understanding personalities is the the path to understanding Obama.

http://offthebus.ning.com/group/enneagrampolitics

Rahm is an six. Biden is a six, Obama is a nine. Sixes and nines are very compatible because they have some of the same traits. Loyalty, underdog causes. Fighting for rights for all. I suggest everyone read information on the enneagram to get a better understanding on how Obama will lead. His temperament is mild. It will not change unless he gets really angry, which is rare! So he needs the attack dogs to counter who he somewhat wished he could do every now and again. It's called balance!

If you want to know more about the types check out the link and sign up... I will be going over how the Obama team will run things.... It's a classic case really.

[BluePrideSMW]

Speaking of numbers... Let's discuss 8 = HATE. While to me, God is a Black Woman, Singing, I was dismayed and disturbed when I learned the polls showing black support for prop 8 @ 70%. My biases are showing, big-time. I anticipated ignorant religious zealots votes, even believed a lopsided Latino vote due to catholocism but the huge black vote FOR discrimination hit me hard. Yank the tax exempt status of ANY church donating to political causes. Mormons, that's YOU.

The Obamas are Moving On UP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3uGsMxsoQ

A sublime Moms Mabley version of Abraham, Martin & John. It's President-Elect Obama's Legacy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge32xtm23rQ

[BSERIUS]

The Black,Hispanic,and Asian vote came because They Know this is not a Civil Rights issue, and they are angered beyond belief that the homosexual community has tried to make it so.. And 2, then yank the tax exempt status from the NAACP and any union .. And finally , Chicago's corruption will become a nationwide entity .

[uheardme]

Move to another thread

[stepintothelight]

It's much simpler than that.

Obama = Good Cop

Emanuel = Bad Cop

phone books in pillow cases, electrodes to the scro, punch in the gut and leave no marks!

Look out Washington ...

[uheardme]

So theyre moving Guantanamo to Washington DC?

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Leave Daley along -- he's a big supporter of the LGBT community and for that I adore him.

He has helped Obama in so many ways... again, leave him alone!

[LedBelly]

Woww! I'm a fan of yours, always checking out you posts. I think I even have a slight crush. Tell me you not ...L. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but, you know - the crush thing?

[RockySoldier]

Mayor Daley enjoys high approvals for a reason. The only people who complain and whine about 'Chicago politics' are people who dont live in Cook County and Chicagoland. Let em complain. Our city works. It fights. It gets things done and Da Mayor is a blinding success in turning us around.

Do we have problems with crime? of course. every place in America does- that INCLUDES small towns, 'Real Americans'. May Mayor Daley and President Elect Barack Obama live to be 150 years old. Our country will have been better for it.

[DuPageDem]

David Orr lives in Cook County, and he might disagree with you. Ditto all those Cook County folks who have had their houses bulldozed in Hizzhonor's (I and II) illegal land grab for O'Hare. Richard II is a far better mayor than his dad, but don't candy-coat his unsavory ties, deal-making and pinstripe patronage.

[TrialDate]

I love what I am hearing. Faux News is going down. Barack pick the right PITBULL for his dirty work. Did anyone notice in Barack's first news conference, when he and his vp walk out to the stage, the prez walk to the podium and his vp behind him and Emanual pointed to where the vp should stand. All ready he's in control of the situation and I love it. American middle class will the the help we'll need.

[canucklivinginUSA]

The more I read about Emanuel, the more I like him. Perhaps I have a soft spot for jerks, but I like people who are effective at what they do. He reminds me of my mom and my late grandma, who are the most toughest women I have ever seen. My mom is a true pitbull(not like you know who) and will bitch at someone until she gets what she needs. She is relentless; it is something I envy in her because I am miles away from that. I am glad that Obama picked someone like that

[Adam11]

I like the Chicago Machine...­..They get things Done!...

Did you hear the one about Rahm sending a dead fish to another fellow Dems. couse of disagreement. lol..

I dont care what you do how you do so long you get things DONE!.

jobs,jobs,jobs.

[BVictor1]

As a Chicagoan, I agree 100%. People talk about the Chicago Machine and the coruption, yet they rarely talk about all the accomplishments. we get things done in Chicago. All cities and governments have some coruption, but it's about what you get done. Detroit has coruption, but they've been stagnent for years.

I'm hoping that Obama's election will help get us the Olympics in 2016

[maranello16]

what rubbish! Chricago crime rates have gone through the roof in obamas short tenure as senator.

[kcam44]

I am from Chicago and now live in Nevada. Mayor Daley is well -respected,he's down to earth and I would say most Chicagoans love him. Mayor Daley cleaned up this very dirty city and I give him praise. Recently this city was thrust into the national spotlight with the Jennifer Hudson tragedy: "The Murder Capitol of the Nation"...­that's the part that really bothers me...Daley cannot get these guns off the streets, the Chicago machine needs to step it up and take back the city!!!!

[BVictor1]

We can't get the guns off the streets because they wouldn't re-sign the ban on assult weapons and there has been on federal infusion of money for more police.