Rahm Emanuel Releases First Ad Of Chicago Mayoral Bid (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON -- In a formal launching of his candidacy for mayor of Chicago, former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel released his first television ad of the cycle on Sunday.

The spot -- announced via the twitter account of top aide, Ben LaBolt -- emphasizes Emanuel's candidacy as an opportunity for the city to rescue itself from crisis.

"We have to make city government more accessible to everybody, and I think we are at a crossroads," Emanuel says, in the self-narrated spot. "We have got to decide whether we are going to continue to be a great city or become a second-tier city. And I think it is time to make that choice and make the tough decisions that are necessary."

WATCH:

As far as campaign ads go, this one is fairly common for early in a cycle. Emanuel, despite a national profile and a stint in Congress, is introducing himself to many voters for the first time. And the goal, it seems, is to move away from the caricature often left by the press. The money certainly will be there to push the image of problem-solver as opposed to a political hot head. As Politico reported on Sunday, Emanuel is aiming to raise $6 million to $8 million before the Feb. 22 Chicago elections.

Comments

[Fred303]

06:50 PM on 11/23/2010

he ruined the Obama administration

[flossophy]

03:47 AM on 11/17/2010

Rahm is a fake.
 
He's just a functionary in the Chicago Machine.
 
You Chicagoids better wake up to what ails your system.

[Boereworsrocks]

12:11 AM on 11/17/2010

I am so delighted he is no longer in Washington. I'm sorry Chicago has to deal with him! Peace Out!

[Carlariz]

04:13 PM on 11/15/2010

Rahm 2016, we need a pres with balls and a spine!!!

[jerryatthebeach]

03:18 PM on 11/15/2010

It will interesting to see how this unfolds...

[GeorgeP922]

01:24 PM on 11/15/2010

Can't wait to donate to that one lady running against him.

How does it feel to run for mayor, and have 1 million Democrats nationwide making sure you lose.

Although for the Dems, getting him stuck in elected offices will keep him away from the lobby groups.

[IronSky99]

01:24 PM on 11/15/2010

This guy makes me physically sick to my stomache, so fake and phony, he really thinks americans are stupid and can be easily fooled, he is the most hateful, arrogant, and disgusting person on the political scene, I actually started turning on Obama a few days after I voted fro him when I heard he appointed Rahm his chief of staff, I knew then what Helen Thomas found out later, Obamas a joke, no different than every other sold out politician, we need a president that returns to the days of America first with respect towards all.

[martin2]

05:40 PM on 11/15/2010

You are absolutely right on Emanuel a sleazy phony.

[jadonofrio]

12:45 PM on 11/15/2010

new cartoon on "tough" rahmbo: http://spark.thepoliticizer.com/news/chicago-welcomes-home-one-of-her-own/

[dmezz1962]

11:07 AM on 11/15/2010

Wow I heard something like this hmmmmmm Oh yea in 2008...How's that working for ya!

[NorthWoodsVoice]

10:54 AM on 11/15/2010

Who are Rahms opponents, and where can we send them donations?

[Main Street Blues]

10:44 AM on 11/15/2010

An honest Politician would probably suit Chicago much better! I'm pretty sure everyone is quite aware of this "stepping stone" effort to enhance Rahm'ys career. I don't think Chicago wants what Washington had with this guy....all of a sudden Ram's got a "nice face" on during his campaign.....come on guys no ones this naive anymore ...are they?

[runtexas]

09:58 AM on 11/15/2010

I hope he wins - he's a lot like Chicago - cold and blow a lot of air

[Aldyth]

08:53 AM on 11/15/2010

Chicago is the last city with an old time Boss. If you are looking for someone who can step into Daley's inherited shows and operate as a Big City Boss, Rahm's your man.

It's a long way to the primary and the field isn't set. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Luis Gutierrez backed out of running because very noisy skeletons in their closets. Tom Dart may have decided not to run because of the money. Alexi? Well, there I'm not sure. Maybe he's going to get an appointment in the Obama administration?

A lot can happen between now and the primary. If it comes down to Meeks, Davis, Mosely-Braun, and Emmanual, Rahm will get it because the vote will be split too thin among the black candidates.

[naschkatze]

11:57 AM on 11/15/2010

Isn't there a primary and then a run-off between the top two vote getters? I would hope that if Emanuel was one of the two, everyone would rally around the other.

[Aldyth]

12:05 PM on 11/15/2010

Yes. If no candidate gets 50% plus one, there is a run off between the two top vote getters. That run-off would be in April.

Too bad we didn't have that in the primaries for U.S. Senator and governor. Brady for sure wouldn't have made it to the general election and we might have had hope for a competent Republican to run. Then, Quinn wouldn't have had a chance.

[modmom]

08:28 AM on 11/15/2010

Rahm's thug mentality is better suited for investment banking. Send him back to the wolves instead of hurting Chicago's reputation.

[pbnyc59]

08:26 AM on 11/15/2010

His next ad is based on Christie O'Donnell's.

I'm Rahm Emanuel, and I'm not a b!tch, I'm you. That is if you are a mean spirited bully, who will do what ever it is to get my way.