Shouldn’t everyone be asking themselves:
“why is a nationally-known guy going from the Whitehouse to be the mayor of a city?”
Either Chicago is so corrupt that he can make a LOT of money for himself in that job (probably)
or he has some tracks to cover?
Before Daley announced his retirement, there was serious talk that Emanuel was already on his way out at the White House. The polls were bad all summer long and the administration realized that the Republicans were going to post huge gains in the midterm Congressional elections. Rahm Emanuel was designated to take the hit for the Democratic collapse on Capitol Hill. His aggressive and profane demeanor was seen as polarizing and he was roundly disliked by as many progressive Democrats as he was by Republicans.
Daley’s decision to announce his retirement stunned many people and Emanuel was blindsided. He had leased his former house for another year only a few weeks prior to Daley’s announcement. Emanuel spent much of September trying to negotiate with his tenants to vacate the house, so he could move back into the building in advance of the 2011 election. The problem that he faces is that he need to have his residency issues clarified as of last February to be eligible.
Rahm is not especially well liked in Chicago. Apart from the party ward bosses from his former Congressional district, he has no support. When he resigned his seat in Congress, he was unable to put his own candidate into the position.