Tuesday Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley made a surprising announcement: He will not seek reelection. Now all eyes turn to Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff, who in the past has expressed interest in becoming Mayor of Chicago.
Daley served as Chicago Mayor for more than 20 years. Tuesday Daley said he's been thinking about not running for several months and has become comfortable with his decision over the last several weeks. Daley says "it just feels right," and that the time to move on "is now."
A 68-year-old Democrat, Daley has been Chicago's mayor since 1989. He called the announcement "a personal decision," and says he and his family now begin a "new phase of our lives."
While President Obama never came up through Mayor Daley's City Hall, many of those close to Obama did. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was a Daley appointee. Emmanuel started his political career as a Daley fund-raiser.
In addition, Senior Advisers David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett worked for Daley. First Lady Michelle Obama also worked in Daley's City Hall, though her service was brief.
Obama issued a short statement on Daley's surprise announcement today that he will not seek a seventh term:
"No mayor in America has loved a city more or served a community with greater passion than Rich Daley. He helped build Chicago's image as a world class city, and leaves a legacy of progress that will be appreciated for generations to come."
No word at this time on whether or not Rahm will seek the office, bur smart money says he will.
Comments
bwah hahahahaha talk about Chicago losing it's broad shoulder manly image. The land of Dick Butkus and Mike Ditka, Al Capone, meat and potatoes will become a laughingstock if this little sissified wannabe mobster ballerina zionist becomes mayor.
A mayor who had any more elections in the bag and he is quitting?
I smell an indictment coming!
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