Court: Rahm Emanuel Can't Run For Mayor, Not Chicago Resident

[Donnachaidh]

Source: Huffington Post

DEVELOPING: The Chicago News Cooperative is reporting that an Illinois Appellate Court has overturned a decision regarding Rahm Emanuel's Chicago residency. The court reportedly decided Emanuel is not eligible to run for mayor of Chicago because he has not been a resident of the city for one year.

More to come.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/rahm-emanuel-mayor-chicago_n_813126.html

[xchrom]

1. if that turns out to be true -- that's interesting. nt

[liberalmike27]

32. Shame, Ha

Probably good for Chicago. They should probably find a real progressive democrat, not a corporatocrat.

[benny05]

50. Agreed

I know he wants a job, but he should consider being family first at this point.

I would be PO'd too if I were him, but he knew, he knew, he knew he waited too long to apply.



:evilgrin:

[rfranklin]

35. Rahm replies: F&^%ing %#&%!

Amazing how he controls himself under stress.

[kurtzapril4]

43. I'm sure the word "mother" was involved......

[grahamhgreen]

55. Another bad choice by Rahhm.

[xchrom]

57. i want one of these bad choices to sink his political life for good. nt

[golddigger]

2. That's a damn shame.

[Demeter]

5. Did you for get your smilie?

:sarcasm:

[golddigger]

13. Didn't really think I needed it.

[markpkessinger]

142. Whatever you think of Rahm...

Whatever you may think of Rahm Emmanuel -- and personally, I don't think very much of him -- as a legal matter, this decision is appalling. Bad court rulings may sometimes, in short run, result in a situation some of find satisfying; but in the long run, such rulings serve no one's legitimate interests, least of all voters'.

[molly77]

163. Rahm's above laws other people have to follow?

[markpkessinger]

170. Not at all...

No, he is not "above the laws" in any respect. The majority on the Appellate Court essentially defined a wholly new, rather fuzzy standard of residence out of whole cloth, utterly ignoring the exception the law creates for being away on official U.S. government business.

If Joe Blow had been off in Afghanistan serving in the military, and had sublet his house while he was away, then came back and decided to run for, say, Alderman, there would be no question concerning his legal residence. The same standard should apply to Emanuel, regardless of whether or not he is a particularly desirable candidate.

[nankerphelge]

173. Agreed

I'm not a fan, but anyone who thinks this is good is short sighted. I want the best people in Washington and this could chill their desire to agree to serve.

[tammywammy]

187. +1 n/t

[No Elephants]

214. Or, Chicago could amend its municipal code.

[Igel]

179. Don't agree.

The standard was government business, either as an elected representative doing the will of the people or the military--the draft was the intended target of the provision. One has as a requirement being out of state at the people's behest; the other at the behest of the military, where your life isn't really your own. It continued after the draft vanished, but that's okay--you might be stationed in your home state, you might be sent to another country, but either way it's not up to you.

Emanuel was neither of those things. He voluntarily moved away to get a better job. The job happened to be for the government. His job was little different in principle from moving to Baltimore and working for the NSA as an analyst or to Seattle to work for the FBI, and they weren't intended under the language and weren't included under the language until the court decided that Rahm had to be covered under a rather expansive interpretation of the exceptions. He was staff, and not out of state at the behest of the electorate nor under military authority. He could have quit at any time, with neither court martial nor a vacancy requiring an election.

Civil service is not the same as public service.

[dbmk]

225. In this case the court in question disagrees with you

They actually agreed that he was covered by that clause.

But that the clause only covers his status as a voter. Not a candidate.

[No Elephants]

193. military service is governed by federal law and therefore in a different category.

And even military personnel are SOL if Illinois is not their Home of Record.

"The majority on the Appellate Court essentially defined a wholly new, rather fuzzy standard of residence out of whole cloth, utterly ignoring the exception the law creates for being away on official U.S. government business."

According to reports I've read, that is not what happened at all. Rather, it came down to whether the facts showed Rahm intended to return to the home he had rented out. (Same would be so if he had been serving in Iraq.) Seems the facts were a mixed bag.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

198. That's bullshit.

If you're away in Afghanistan, you're not living in Chicago. It doesn't matter if you have a contractual obligation to the US military - you were out of Chicago for a significant amount of time, you were not residing within the city. If Rahm wants to be mayor, he can wait until the next election, and he should make sure he does some actual living in the city beforehand.

[No Elephants]

208. Even when you are in Afghanistan, you owe state income tax and have

a right to vote by absentee ballot sent from a state, so you'd better know which state is your legal residence.

[No Elephants]

210. Too late to edit my other post, but I'm now reading the opinion for myself.

Intent to return was an issue in deciding only one prong of the statutory test. Where he had literally lived for the prior year was another prong and, obviously, the one Rahm failed.

The court did not fashion any definition of government service--or anything else--out of whole cloth. Rather, it treated Rahm the same as it would have treated a member of the military. In example after example, the court simply uses military service to show Rahm is a "resident" for purposes of being an elector and of voting in Illinois. And, it holds.....

"We agree
with the candidate that his service constituted "business of the
United States" and thus that this exception applies to him. We
disagree, however, with his position that the exception saves his
candidacy. In our view, the exception embodied by section 3-2 of
the Election Code applies only to voter residency requirements, not
No. 1-11-0033 22 to candidate residency requirements.

We base this conclusion largely on the plain language of the
Election Code. That plain language limits the reach of the
"business of the United States" exception to "elector" or their
spouses; it makes no mention of "candidates." Further, as we have
noted, we must interpret statutes "as a whole, with each provision
construed in connection with every other section." Cinkus, 228
Ill. 2d at 216-17. Section 3-2's "business of the United States"
exception is housed not only in the Election Code, but in a portion
of the Election Code dealing exclusively with voter qualification,
in fact in an Article titled "Qualification of Voters." See 10
ILCS 5/3-1 through 3-5 (West 2008).

As explained above, the
Municipal Code sets forth two qualifications for candidates: they
must meet the Election Code’s standards for a "qualified voter,"
and they must have "resided in" the municipality for one year
preceding the election. The location of section 3-2's "business of
the United States" exception--in the Election Code, and in an
article of the Election Code dedicated exclusively to voter
qualification--supports the conclusion that the exception applies
only to the Election Code’s "qualified voter" standard, and not to
any supplemental candidate qualifications located outside the
Election Code.

We are not the first to draw the distinction between voters
and candidates for purposes of the type of exception contained in
section 3-2 of the Election Code. The exception traces to
No. 1-11-0033
24
Illinois’ founding charter, which imposed a residency requirement
on state representatives but excepted those who were "absent on the
public business of the United States." Ill. Const. 1818, art. II,
§3. Illinois’ next constitution, in 1848, stated the exception
three times: once for state representatives (Ill. Const. 1848, art.
III, §3), once for state senators (Ill. Const. 1848, art. III, §4),
and once for voters (Ill. Const. 1848, art. VI, §5).

The 1848
Constitution thus separately delineated "business of the United
States" exceptions for candidates and for voters. Illinois’ next
constitution, in 1870, retained the "business of the United States"
exception as it related to voters (see Ill. Const. 1870, art. VII,
§4), yet conspicuously omitted the exception as it related to
candidates. (The voter exception was later incorporated into the
Election Code (see 1959 Ill. Laws 2168) and was not included in our
current constitution.)

This history tells us that, for purposes of
the "business of the United States" residency exception, this State
has for over 150 years recognized a distinction between voters and
candidates and has retained the exception only for voters. That
revelation, combined with our interpretation of the language of
section 3-2 and its interrelation with subsection 3.1-10-5(d) of
the Municipal Code, convinces us that section 3-2's "business of
the United States" exception applies only to voters, not to
candidates. Accordingly, it cannot avail the candidate here.



Overall, the opinion is a tribute to very careful and scholarly reading of a statute in order to decide a case of first impression.

[dbmk]

224. As far as I understood it, the court actually agreed that he was covered by that clause

But that he did not qualify on other requirements to begin with.

The lynchpin seem to be tax filing as a part-time resident of Illinois the last time around.

If thats not it, I would agree that it seems rather fuzzy.

Edit: Seems I was only partially right: See the post above(#210)

[No Elephants]

192. is it a bad court decision or a bad statute the court was bound by?

I agree saying "yes" when your President asks for your service should not cost you your legal residency. However, I have not read the statute the court was bound by and therefore cannot say if the fault lies with the legislature or with the court.

[TheEuclideanOne]

106. I totally agree. I would rather see it decided that he can't run because

he is a scumbag who is horrible for the country.

[No Elephants]

194. Don't think anyone here has enough info to be fair to the court.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/1216/What-s-in-Rahm-Emanuel-s-basement-Five-curious-questions-at-Chicago-hearing/The-disputed-wedding-dress

Do you know where Rahm filed his income taxes? Did he pay any Illinois state taxes due from Illinois residents? Where did he vote? And so on.

[Demeter]

3. Goddess: 2; Corporations 0

Things ARE turning around--no thanks to the Administration or the Feds.

[markpkessinger]

143. People = 0

I don't like Rahm Emmanuel one bit, and if I were a Chicago resident I wouldn't vote for the guy. But this decision is appalling as a legal matter, and while it might have an outcome you personally like this time around, keep in mind it might well be used against a candidate in the future whom you ardently support.

This is NOT an occasion to gloat, regardless of what people think of Rahm Emmanuel.

[tavalon]

162. Agreed, overall,

I want Rahm to run, I want him to stay in Chicago, but the reality on the ground is he, and his family, don't live in Chicago.

[No Elephants]

195. Please see Reply 194.

[Skinner]

4. Whoa.

Wasn't expecting that.

[tavalon]

161. I know

Shit, I hope he doesn't go back to DC. We already did the trade. A Daley for an Emmanuel.

[Igel]

181. Neither was I.

Just because I figured the Chicago courts were thoroughly submissive to the powers that be and the latter wanted Emanuel back.

Not sure where my mistake was: If the courts are submissive and the powers that be don't want Emanuel back or if the court aren't all that submissive.

[Truth2Tell]

209. I imagine a few different powers that be

are working against one another here. Neither Emanuel, nor the people working behind the scenes to stop him, are on our side.

[No Elephants]

212. The board of elections held in Rahm's favor, as did the lower court.

Don't know if that resolves your issue or not.

[my2sense]

6. Wow

face palm

[Autumn]

7. Oh too bad

:rofl:


Sometimes, life just makes you smile.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. I'm sure they'll overturn that but in the mean time thanks for making me smile. nt

[rpannier]

185. It doesn't appear that will matter

If they choose to appeal the decision the Illinois State Supreme Court will actually hear the arguments.
Briefs will have to be filed, etc.
Absentee ballots go out Jan 31.
It's unlikely he'd make it on that ballot
If he doesn't, he can't be on the Feb 22 (?) ballot because you can't print two separate ballots

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

189. From your mouth to The Big Electron's ears. nt

[erodriguez]

9. Good. Now he can't bring his market reforms to the schools and gut education.

[forty6]

10. Such a damn shame God's gift to mankind can't ruin another public office like

he did to the Obama White House!

He'll probably call the court's decision "retarded" !

[No Elephants]

197. Odd you think Rahm is to blame (or praise) for the Obama WH. Rahm was a known quantity

when Obama hired him.

So were Summers and Obama's boyhood acquaintance, Geithner. So were most of the people Obama hired or appointed or tried to appoint, like Daschle. So, for that matter, was Rick Warren.

For better or worse, the buck stops on the desk of the President.

[asjr]

11. I do not understand the reasoning

about this. If Emanuel still owns a house in IL and took a temporary job in DC why would that disallow him running for the job? This sounds too political for belief. I do not like him nor do I dislike him, but pardon the expression This just isn't kosher.

[forty6]

14. People "own property" in all sorts of places on the planet. That does NOT equate to

being a "resident" for the requisite number of days and weeks and months in order to hold public office.

If I own a cabin in Northern Maine but live in Virginia, should I be able to run for State Senate in Maine?

Reasonable rules for holding public office are nothing new in the USA, and are in place to prevent just such people as Virginia Residents holding Senate seats in Maine's State Senate, etc. etc.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

Didn't Cheney "own" property in Wyoming in order to pretend he wasn't

a resident from the same state as the guy he was running with? I agree with you.

[naaman fletcher]

26. yes,

but the residency rules vary state to state. most states just sort of go with "wherever you say it is" unless that conflicts with something else. I am surprised that Rahm lost this. The claim that he is/was a chicago resident except he was away on a job assignment seems legit to me, although, does anyone know was he paying chicago/illnois taxes?

Anyway, I hate the guy so this doesn't bother me.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

29. I was just making an analogy. Not stating that Texas/Wyoming/Illinois are similar in that

regard. But this situation reminded me of previous residency arguments. According to a poster below he did not pay taxes in IL. I have no idea whether that's true or not.

[immoderate]

52. Agree with you. I never questioned that Rahm was a Chicagoan "an assignment."

On most other issues, I assume he's an asshole.

--imm

[No Elephants]

201. Respectfully, how would you know? Please see Replies 192, 193 and 194.

[The Croquist]

59. I think the biggest issue was his tax returns

On his 2009 tax returns, filed in 2009, he claimed to be a part year resident (6 months) of Illinois. Almost immediately after the announcement by Daly to retire he amended his returns to a full year resident of Illinois claiming that it was a "mistake".

I essence, on a legal document filed with both the State of Illinois and the Federal government, he claimed that he was no longer a resident of Illinois.

Sucks to be him...

[AngryAmish]

139. Biggest issue was he didn't live in the city

I read the opinion. There is no discussion of the tax returns.

What there was a large discussion of was he did not live in the city. There is a requirement that you live in the city. An actual domicile or abode - where you sleep after your work day is over. Where you eat dinner. Where your dog is. Where your kids are.

He rented out his abode: he had no right to live there. Intention to return don't matter, it is where you actually live for one year before the election.

[No Elephants]

215. There is mention of tax returns in the beginning. The court did not

discuss them because discussion had occurred at the board of elections and the court has to accept the board's findings of fact.

intent to return mattered for 2/3 of the requirements, but not for the third.

[No Elephants]

203. Romney did something very similar when he ran for Governor of Mass.

He had paid Utah taxes at the {lower} rate a resident of Utah after he *snort* "saved the Olympics." However, he did not check off that he was a resident. Rather, he left the box empty.

However, he did not "correct his *snort* mistake" and pay more utah taxes until after he ran and his Mass. residency got challenged. The Mass. Sec of State let him off the hook. Sadly, no one took it to court and he became absentee Gov. of Mass., campaigning for Pres for four years on our time.

Unfortunately, he spent just enough time in state to give Big Dig work to his donors and sign Romneycare.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

17. .

[Countdown_3_2_1]

155. Good point. Well said. (nt)

[Ikonoklast]

15. That's what I think.

It's not like he sold his primary residence in Illinois...I wonder what political subdivision he was registered to, and voted from?

[AngryAmish]

22. He certainly did sell his primary residence

Renting a premises means you give up the right to live there for a period of time in exchange for money. That is exactly what he did.

Rahm voted absentee in chicago, after being bounced from the rolls twice and being reinstated through extralegal means.

[former9thward]

19. The law says you have to be a resident of the city.

A person can own houses anywhere and that does not mean they are a resident of that area. The law does give an exception for government service and I will like to read the decision to see how that is addressed.

[Xithras]

25. He clearly doesn't fall under the public service exemption.

Public service exemptions are meant for elected representatives who are still REPRESENTING the people of the district they came from, even if they're temporarily living elsewhere. A Congressperson may live in Washington DC, but they're there as a representative of their district or state, and therefore get to keep their residency.

Rahm wasn't representing anybody. He moved to Washington to take a staff job in a government office. That's no different than you or I moving to another city or state to take a job with another company for a few years. While you may maintain ownership of your original home, you are no longer a resident of your original city or state. The fact that you plan on returning one day doesn't mean that you are still considered a resident, or that you get to vote in their elections, or that you get to run for office as a resident.

[HereSince1628]

38. Is it a matter of Chicago law or is it State law?

The question seems to be Chicago residency, and it seems to me that historically The Daley Machine worked pretty hard to protect its clout from the influence of neighboring republican communities.

[former9thward]

44. Not really.

Being an elected rep is not part of it. (10 ILCS 5/) Election Code says: "A permanent abode is necessary to constitute a residence within the meaning of Section 3-1 . No elector or spouse shall be deemed to have lost his or her residence in any precinct or election district in this State by reason of his or her absence on business of the United States, or of this State." Nothing is said in this exception about being an elected rep. It was placed in the for people in the military but Emanuel may be able to use it.

[Xithras]

123. Yes really.

"on business of the United States, or of this State"

He wasn't there on the business of the state or the country, any more than tens of thousands of other federal employees who move to Washington and its environs are. He was a staff employee, who left the city and state to pursue his own employment interests.

Being out of state "on business of the United States, or of this State" means that you are acting on BEHALF of the state or country, and that those actions force your presence elsewhere. Military people serving overseas is an example (on behalf of the country), as are elected representatives performing their elected duties in Washington.

Rahm was a staff employee, nothing more. He went to Washington to seek employment, and not to represent the people of Illinois or Chicago, or to act in their service.

[former9thward]

136. You are reading your interpretation into the statute.

He was there on business of the U.S. The statute says nothing about representation or the military. If you bother to read the court decision they agree with me. They agree he was there on the business of the U.S. They ruled against him because they don't think he meets the residency requirements of a candidate although they agree he meets the residency requirements to be a voter.

[DissedByBush]

190. General public service exemption irrelevant

I read the opinion. That part is about being eligible to VOTE in an election.

The part regarding RUNNING for an office is in regards to soldiers who are deployed and immediately return to Chicago.

[No Elephants]

211. Court said Rahm was on the business of the U.S. Problem is Rahm had

to meet 3 separate standards He had to be a resident for purposes of being eligible to be an elector; he had to be a resident for purposes of being eligible to vote; and he had to have resided in Chi.

He was okay on the first two, because he was in the service of the U.S. However, based on the state const., the only exceptions to physical presence for purposes of having resided in Chi are serving as an elected official or serving as a member of the armed forces.

"That
revelation, combined with our interpretation of the language of
section 3-2 and its interrelation with subsection 3.1-10-5(d) of
the Municipal Code, convinces us that section 3-2's "business of
the United States" exception applies only to voters, not to
candidates. Accordingly, it cannot avail the candidate here."

[dbmk]

226. Court says he does fall under it

See post #210.

The court agrees he falls under that excemption. But that it is only applicable to him as a voter and not a candidate.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

99. M I L I T A R Y service, not government service

That statute is clear on that point.

[former9thward]

101. The statute does not say "military service"

It says "on business of the United States, or of this State."

[ChairmanAgnostic]

147. read the ENTIRE statute, Form.

and you can understand what the court did and why they did it.

[former9thward]

178. I read the decision and the majority agreed he was

"on the business of the U.S." and met that exception for voting purposes. They said he did not met residency for candidate purposes.

[No Elephants]

216. Yes, and the court agreed with Rahm, for purposes of the state statute. see Reply 211.

The municipal code did him in, tho.

[Sixty_cycle_humm]

20. Not paying taxes was the deciding factor

I heard from a friend just now familiar with the decision. They decided that since he didn't pay any local or state income tax then he had disqualified himself.

I won't hold my breath for this to be the last word though, he is one slippery SOB...

[asjr]

28. Thank goodness I am not a politician!

[AngryAmish]

31. Your friend is wrong. This is nothing to do with taxes.

I read it really quick but it turned on whether or not Rahm maintained an abode - where you sleep at night and where your dog is. The property he had was not his abode, his house in DC was.

[Sixty_cycle_humm]

51. You are correct

people can own homes all over the country but only have one real residence. The courts determined that since Rahm earned income but chose not to pay any Chicago or Illinois state taxes then his residence was where he did pay local taxes, Washington D.C.. It's a fine point, but an important one to the judges.

[No Elephants]

205. ? Your post contradicts Reply 31, yet you say Reply 31 is correct?

[The Wielding Truth]

66. That was my question - had he paid local taxes while away.

If no he did not, seems he did not consider himself a resident. Although every city and state can have different laws.

[No Elephants]

217. No. Not physically living in Chi knocked Rahm out of eligibility to run.

His tax return should have IMO, but did not.

[Autumn]

42. I own property and a house in New Mexico.

I can't vote, or run for office there because I am not a resident. My going down there for six or seven weeks out of the year mean nothing. Those laws are in place for a reason.

[trud]

97. Autumn

Lucky you!

[Autumn]

102. It's beautiful there.

Very lucky. Welcome to DU:hi:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

98. he had only one property. He rented the entire house

out to someone, and had just extended the lease for two more years when Da Mare Jr, made his shocking announcement. Hm, maybe not so shocking, given his wife's failing health.

Rahm received no mail in Chicago, his children attended school in DC, he rarely traveled to chicago, even when Obama came.

Besides the military exception to the statute in question is really straightforward and clear. You have to be in active military serving away. Political offices do not equate with active military service.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

157. Well said.

I don't think Rahm really has a good argument to take to the State Supreme Court.

[howaboutme]

152. Rick Santorum owned a house in PA

and claimed residence while he rented it out while living in VA. He fxxked his local PA taxpayer constituents because they were required to pay his kids VA education at a cyber school. That pissed off many PA supporters.

Laws are made to apply to all including political elitist scavengers, and not just us serfs. Rahm probably thought he could bypass at whim the regs that apply to us common folk, and more mundane Chicagoans with real residence.

I don't care what Party they represent, I can't stand arrogant politicians pretending to be public servants.

[molly77]

166. Think the law says you have to have lived in Chicago for the last two years before running.

[rpannier]

186. Law says you must live there for the previous year

He didn't live there, so he's ineligibale.

edit: From the article

"They are looking at the statute and taking it at face value," said Christopher Keleher, a Chicago-based expert on appellate litigation. "They say it requires you live here physically for a year. He didn't, so they say he doesn't qualify. "

Emanuel's lawyers now have little time to present arguments before the state's highest court. And high-court judges used to deliberating for months will now have only days.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41235763/ns/politics-more_politics?GT1=43001

[No Elephants]

199. Please see Replies 192 193 and 194.

[DirkGently]

12. Velly intellesting.

[HereSince1628]

16. Quick...put garlic around his mayoral aspirations and bury them

next to City Hall!!!!!!

[Safetykitten]

18. Fix this one Mr. Fixit. Let's see you work your magic Rahmy.

[Yuugal]

21. Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

As Steve Martin once said, "Into the mud, scum queen!"

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

24. YEAAAAARHG!!!!!

[No Elephants]

213. Props.

[Exultant Democracy]

23. I hope it sticks

[Poll_Blind]

27. Somebody, help me out- is this politically-motivated or legit?

I really don't know, haven't followed the issue, and Rahm has never really been high on my list of personalities to follow much.

Any analysis?

This seems very unexpected to me!

PB

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

30. It's hard to tell. he seems to be very well connected in the state. But who knows. I'm certainly wai...

hear more details.

[Poll_Blind]

40. Thanks, same here. Very interested to see how this plays out or if there are more "rounds" before..

...the match is really over and decided.

PB

[AngryAmish]

34. The guy who wrote the opinion is probably the best judge in the state

Really, really smart. That said this is Chicago but it seemed the Machine was behind Rahm.

[Poll_Blind]

39. "That said this is Chicago but it seemed the Machine was behind Rahm."

Yes, the little that I have read about this seemed to indicate he was head and shoulders in front of the pack as a favorite if only counted by fundraising.

PB

[ChairmanAgnostic]

148. agreed. Hoffman is brilliant.

and he is clean. Extremely clean.

[Athena66]

33. At last

A bit of good news for a change. It doesn't appear that Rahm has much time to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. I think he thought that he could waltz back into Chicago and just be anointed mayor.

[bluedigger]

36. D'oh!

[Kingofalldems]

37. Uh oh ---somebody is not liking this one

:shrug:

[democrank]

41. See Reply # 24.

[tomhayes]

45. So you shouldn't take a job out of state to work for the President?

???

[No Elephants]

206. How do you get that? More like maybe Rahm cannot have it every which way he pleases, whenever he

pleases. He can, if he wishes, run for Mayor next time.

Obama can't run for Mayor of Chi this go round, either. Does that mean no Chicagoan should run for Pres?

Every important decision has its costs, as well as its benefits.

[Psephos]

46. Shrug. Now it goes to the Illinois Supreme Court. Probably a guy with a duffel bag already there.

This does provide temporary entertainment, though. :)

[Edgewater_Joe]

64. Watch Who Carries That Duffel Bag!

One of the IL Supreme Court justices is the wife of uber-powerful Ald. Ed Burke - who is rabidly anti-Rahm because he sees him as competition to his own machine and has thrown his support to bump on a log Daley apparatchik Gery Chico.

Also, the lead attorney on the case worked on Bush v. Gore for Bush -- and the assistant is the right hand man of who is the most corrupt Democrat in Chicago, Party Chair Joe Berrios, who is also anti-Rahm because of the worry of power-grabbing and is also pro-Chico.

So the question becomes, how deep in the bag is the IL Supreme Court? This will answer the question about whether Rahm stays on the ballot or not. At a bare minimum, what we are seeing is power politics being played out between two jackals that hate each other ...

Not to mention that if Rahm now stays on the ballot, he will have miraculously been transformed into a sympathetic underdog. Rahm Emanuel the UNDERDOG. He'd win the Feb. 22 election in a walk without a runoff.

As Terrell Owens once said, getcha popcorn ready!

[Psephos]

67. The plot thickens....

Thanks for all the juicy inside info. :)

[Skink]

47. GE is probably hiring.

[onpatrol98]

121. If he's willing to move to China...

[AllyCat]

48. Well isn't that just too bad? I'm just so sorry. Really. I'm sure sorry.

Actually. No I'm not sorry. This is quite fitting.

[suffragette]

49. Looks like it turned on whether to go by Municipal Code or Election Code

http://www.suntimes.com/3469419-417/emanuel-court-ballot-mayor-appellate.html
Burt Odelson, the attorney who led the charge to throw Emanuel off the ballot, said the appellate court appears to have adopted all of his arguments that the state municipal code requires candidates for mayor in Illinois to reside within the town in which they’re running for a year prior to Election Day.

Emanuel’s attorneys had argued state election code, which covers eligibility to vote, should also count toward eligibility to run for mayor. However, Justice Hoffman wrote: “neither the board nor the party have, however, referred us to any Supreme Court opinion ratifying, adopting or directly addressing this approach.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/3391778-418/abdon-apallasch-appellate-attorneys-com.html

The issue is whether Emanuel qualifies to run for mayor. The state’s Municipal Code states candidates for mayor in Illinois must reside in the town in which they’d like to run for a year prior to Election Day.

Can Emanuel really claim to have “resided in” Chicago when he and his family were living in Washington, D.C., with their Chicago home rented out to a family who voted from that address?

~~~

Forde pointed to the state’s Election Code, which states, “No elector … shall be deemed to have lost his or her residence … by reason of his or her absence on business of the United States.”

If the justices agree that the Election Code trumps the Municipal Code, then, “All of this . . . is completely academic,” Forde said. “There is absolutely no question that the candidate was temporarily absent on the business of the United States. That’s the ‘Coup de Grace’ – you don’t even have to look at another subject.”

[Abq_Sarah]

71. He wasn't absent on the business of the United States

He wasn't in the military, nor was he away as an elected representative. He left to take a job as a private citizen.

[former9thward]

103. Working for the Executive branch is business of the U.S.

He was as federal employee. He was not a private contractor.

[Abq_Sarah]

119. Federal employees

Aren't treated the same as elected officials or military personnel. He wasn't being sent outside his residency, he chose to leave. If I lived in Arizona and took a full time job with the IRS in Atlanta, I wouldn't be able to retain my Arizona residency, vote in Arizona or run for office without first moving back to Arizona and establishing residency. Rahm was an at will employee of the executive. His position wasn't protected.

[Art_from_Ark]

167. I don't know about Arizona, but in the case of Arkansas

if I am a registered Arkansas voter and I move out of the state on a temporary basis, I can still vote absentee in Arkansas elections, provided that I do not register to vote in my new state.

[former9thward]

177. Please read the decision. The court does not agree with you.

The majority (and the dissent) both agree he was "on business of the U.S. The majority did not feel he met the residency requirement for a candidate although he met the residency to be a voter.

[tularetom]

53. Wanna hear my conspiracy theory?

He was fired by Obama and the whole running for mayor crapola was just a face saving gesture. He knew all along he wasn't eligible for the office but pretending to run for it was a way to avoid the humiliation of being shitcanned. And Obama was willing to go along with it.

[grahamhgreen]

56. Unlikely, he just made yet another legendary bad decision, IMHO.

[tularetom]

58. You're probably right but wouldn't it be a hoot if it was true?

[NoodleyAppendage]

69. Maybe. My theory involves a back room deal between the Daly Political Machine and the WH.

I believe that Rahm was given an "out" in exchange for Daly's brother taking the Chief of Staff position. The Daly family and Obama go way back and having "one of their own" in the WH Chief of Staff position was too good to pass up. Remember that Rahm was voicing an "out" before Mayor Daly indicated that he wasn't seeking re-election, then we hear that Daly's brother (who has J.P. Morgan connections) is replacing Rahm. Way to convenient and connected to be a coincidence.

J

[grahamhgreen]

54. And he called us "F'n Retarded"? Obama - STOP LISTENING TO THESE PEOPLE!

[emulatorloo]

60. You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own set of facts.

Are you part of a group that planned to run attack ads against Democrats right before the healthcare vote?

I didn't think so.

P.S. sounds like he was calling the plan "fucking retarded"


======

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575025030384695158.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5

The friction was laid bare in August when Mr. Emanuel showed up at a weekly strategy session featuring liberal groups and White House aides. Some attendees said they were planning to air ads attacking conservative Democrats who were balking at Mr. Obama's health-care overhaul.

"F—ing retarded," Mr. Emanuel scolded the group, according to several participants. He warned them not to alienate lawmakers whose votes would be needed on health care and other top legislative items.

=====

P.S. Yes he is an asshole. And good riddance.

[grahamhgreen]

115. I think it's funny that the President was taking advice from a guy who failed to check if he

was qualified to run before he quit! A guy who called others retarded!

Crazy.

[kirby]

122. Actually, he did ask...

He filed with the board of elections and was told it was okay. There was also a lower court trial which okayed it. It was an appeals court that reversed it.

Personally, I hate Rahm with a passion, but at least the facts should be out there.

[grahamhgreen]

175. Fair enough.

[No Elephants]

219. Bottom line; He spoke very disrespectfully to liberals who were then trying to help the WH

accomplish its objectives--and those were by far not the only disrespetful words aimed from the WH at liberals, so umbrage at allegedly manufactured "facts" seems like a distinction without a real difference.

[Crowman1979]

61. All these posts and no violins?

Rahm can go fuck himself and cry me a river!

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[liberal N proud]

62. Always line up a new job before quitting your old one

But then I am sure he will not be down and out because of this little set back.

[Reader Rabbit]

63. Man, it's nice to be there when the karma wheel comes around.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[elias7]

65. Here's the PDF of the decision. The reasoning seems directed, and I smell political bias

http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/wls_012411_courtdecision.pdf

Opinions about Mr Emanuell aside, he was born in Chicago, bought a house that he and his family lived in from December 1998-January 2009, when he served in the House of Reps until becoming chief of staff. He returned to Chicago in October 2010, renting an apartment until his the family he rents his house to leaves at end of lease.

So, gone for 19 months from his home that he announced intent to return to, bought additional land around the house, continued to pay taxes and maintain voter registration, and now he's back home. Technically, he may have to wait a year. I'd be pissed if it was me though. Reading the arguments through the Municipal Code vs the Election Code, I just get that feeling like someone's trying to lead me down a road with a logical argument that follows, but not necessarily.

[andlor]

228. +1

It is political bias.

[NoodleyAppendage]

68. Ha, Ha, Ha! This is great! Little Rahm-y doesn't get his way...waaahh.

Call the liberal grassroots "retarded" and karma may just come back and bite you on the ass.

I guess the deal that was done between the Obama WH and Mayor Daly to give Rahm the mayoral power in exchange for Daly's brother taking Rahm's old job didn't work out like it was supposed to...

J

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

70. This is funny. But I doubt it'll stand

You lose your residency in your home state if you take a temporary federal job somewhere? That's pretty dumb.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

I hope they let him run, then have the voters send him to the unemployment line.

:hi:

[No Elephants]

218. No, he did not lose his residency. Please see Replies 211 an 206.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

235. It looks like the next level of court agreed with Rahm

so he's on the ballot for now. I sort of thought this would happen.

But, I'm sure there are more courts, more appeals, more reversals.

I hope he's allowed to run. And I hope the voters kick him to the curb.

:hi:

[GodlessBiker]

72. Court rules that Rahm Emanuel not eligible to run for mayor of Chicago.

Source: CNN

Just a headline now.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/

[DavidDvorkin]

73. Here's a direct link to the article:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/24/breaking-appellate-court-rules-against-emanuel/?hpt=T2

This is a big one.

[ClassWarrior]

74. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

Karma's a bitch, Rahmbo.

NGU.

[Safetykitten]

84. Karma drops a load of horseshit on him!

[emilyg]

85. Fairly quickly, too. Go Karma.

[CTyankee]

75. uh oh spaghetti o's...

[xchrom]

76. so it is true.

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[Ken Burch]

77. Does he have time to appeal?

It'd be SOOOO sweet to see the Rahmster totally out in the wilderness. He cost us dozens of Congressional seats with his "fuck the base/fuck the activists" attitude, so the best news this party could get would be to see Rahm end up in oblivion.

He should just go back to the corporate world. He was never on OUR side after he started earning seven figures a year.

[rpannier]

196. The absentee ballots go out Jan 31

If he's not on those he's probably finished

[grahamhgreen]

229. They are printing the ballots today.

[leveymg]

78. Goes to the State Supreme Ct now, then possibly up the Fed Ct. ladder

[Ken Burch]

79. Will the Rahmster fight it to the bitter end?

n/t.

[leveymg]

81. Depends upon what his lawyers are telling him

If he believes he has a chance to win in the end, he probably will continue the appeals process.

[Ken Burch]

88. I'm just hoping it turns out that, in all the confusion,

Rahm became a Kenyan citizen.

[Brother Buzz]

94. Why would the federal courts even touch this?

:shrug:

[leveymg]

96. Rahm's lawyers would try to show bias, denial of due process or some impropriety

That's just a general off-the-cuff answer. I'm not an expert in Illinois election law, but I'm sure Emanuel has a whole flock working on this round-the-clock. Must be costing him a fortune - where does he get his money, anyway? Is it his family or does he have other backers?

Really would like to know.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

104. he stole it fair and square as an investment bank dude

also his brother is a big agent in LA, and arranged for millions from there for this election.

I lived in his district for a time, and other than being totally incapable of running a campaign, I even considered running against him. It was with mixed feelings that I heard he was picked by Obama. One, his policies and positions suck, two, he would be leaving Chicago, and three, the idea that he could sway Obama meant either Obama had no taste, or we did not have as president the same Obama who ran for office.

[leveymg]

114. That's what I figured. You should have run against him!

I had some contact with Rahm at the DCCC a few years ago, and tried to keep an open mind, despite what I was hearing about him at the time from some very knowledgeable progressives. I heard some similar murmurings about Obama, but figured that he would grow out of his centrist leanings in the office into a real leader. Guess I was wrong about Barack, too.

I'm afraid that I've become a disillusioned Party guy who doesn't go to many Democratic Committee meetings anymore, and likely will not again work full-time on his Presidential campaign.

[kath]

116. "or we did not have as president the same Obama who ran for office."

Well, that one's turned out to be way too true, hasn't it? :cry:

[AngryAmish]

109. soldier's and sailer's act?

[24601]

128. He is neither n/t

[MNBrewer]

184. What's the Federal interest in this case, besides it involving Rahm E.?

[mix]

80. .

:rofl:

[DCKit]

82. Bwahahahahahahaha!

Except he might go back to the WH.

Whaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[Larkspur]

83. This is a bit of good news after the bad stuff we've gotten.

As another poster said, this couldn't have happened to a better fellow.

:rofl: :evilgrin: :rofl: :evilgrin: :rofl: :evilgrin: :rofl: :evilgrin: :rofl: :evilgrin: :rofl: :evilgrin:

[WinkyDink]

86. Perhaps he can get some activists to get out there and..........never mind.

[Peregrine Took]

87. Great! He can't come in here and buy an election with out of state $$$$. n/t

[MattSh]

89. This says it all...

[X_Digger]

91. +1 n/t

[democrank]

90. Good

[aquart]

92. Wait. He won't come back to the White House, will he?

[EC]

93. This is wrong..

He paid property taxes and voted there.


How is it he's not a resident, but Alan Keyes was when he ran for the Senate (against Obama) while living in Virginia?

[BlueDemKev]

95. Difference between

State Residency Requirements and City of Chicago Residency Requirements would be my guess.

[tammywammy]

105. Well, and this really only discourages people who maybe interested in running for office, such as

mayor, from serving the President. I think that his position within the administration should be counted as service to the country, he obviously intended to go back to Chicago once his term within the administration was completed.

[EC]

108. Agree. n/t

[kath]

117. eh, he could run in a couple of years, no?

[former9thward]

110. Alan Keyes moved to Illinois before the election.

At least he rented a house and claimed he was living there. U.S. Senate is a federal office so the requirements are different.

[EC]

120. Yeah, he rented

from a GOP contributer and didn't move in until a month or so before the election...Rahm owns a home and was born there and moved back as soon as Daley announced...don't recall if it was summer or fall, but much more than a month and a half. Alan Keyes didn't quit his radio job either - tells me he knew he wouldn't win and was only in the state temporarily.

I guess it is the difference between state and city. So I wonder if he would be considered an Illinois resident?

[former9thward]

138. I just finished reading the decision.

The court says he met the residency requirements to be a voter but not be a candidate which have a different standard. A candidate has to have actually lived there for a year but a voter can be elsewhere if he meets the exception of being on business of the U.S. The court said he did meet that exception so he could be a voter but didn't actually live there so he could not be a candidate.

[DissedByBush]

191. State law requires that he live there

As in actually live there, not claim it as his home of record.

Alan Keyes was covered by the Constitution.

To be a senator you only have to be living in the state at the time of the election.

He rented a house, he moved there, he qualified.

He could have run the whole campaign from Virginia and moved to Illinois on the early morning of election day to qualify.

[dbmk]

223. Think they key issues was that he actually didn't

Apparently he filed as a part time resident the last time around. And amended that only after he decided to leave Washington to run for mayor.

And if thats the case, it would seem the decision is correct.

Correction: See post #210. Seems that the mentioned excemption was only applicable to him as a voter. As a candidate you would have to actually live there.

[JJW]

100. Health Insurance

Rahm might actually need to buy private health insurance. If so I bet he'll wish we had single payer.

[SCantiGOP]

107. doubt it

Do you think he would have any trouble getting a job?

[kath]

118. And he's a bajillionaire, isn't he?

[ileus]

111. Time for Barack to call Anne M. Burke

[AngryAmish]

134. Who will tell him to stuff it

Anne Burke husband is Ed Burke. Rahm and Ed don't get along. Rahm would have booted Ed from the Finance Committee.

Notice that Ed has not given any money to Chico? If he did then that might make it possible to get A. Burke to recuse herself. Since no donation...no recusal.

And if you think that anyone who counts gives a tinker's damn what Obama thinks then you are very mistaken.

Finally, you think it is appropriate for the President of the United States try to interfere in a lawsuit? Really? If it came out then he should be impeached. It certainly is a crime. Obstruction of justice, bribery maybe and a few things I have not thought of. You think it would be wise for him to risk his presidency, disbarment and jail for this? You think so little of the man?

[ileus]

165. Ed's been around 32 years...there's dirt to be told.

Obama would/does know it, Anne will protect her father.

[Balderdash]

112. teehee!

Oops, I mean too bad, so sad. ;-)

[hulka38]

113. It doesn't make up for the bears losing

but it is good news.

[defendandprotect]

124. Good for them!

[Jakes Progress]

125. Legal dogma just bit the tires on Rahm's karma.

[AnOhioan]

126. Too bad, so sad

My heart is breaking :sarcasm:

[vssmith]

127. Now he will become a lobbyist

[24601]

129. Two Judges getting Dead Fish? Of course he'll mean it as a

gesture of good will - not intended to be uncivil.

[Ramulux]

130. Great news for the people of Chicago

They are so lucky that this piece of shit got disqualified, he would have cruised to victory in the election. Rahm Emmanuel represents everything wrong with the democratic party and any time he gets humiliated, I am happy.

[Lorien]

Lol, awesome! nt

[mod mom]

131. Good news for Chicago: less corruption!

[howaboutme]

132. Rahm has been good to us so

should we root for him, or for Chicagoans?

Rahm made sure that his ex-employers the Wall Streeters paid a big price and sacrificed for their dalliances and thievery and their greed. I heard someone on talk radio laughingly say yesterday that they were so greedy that they would have stolen the Last Supper.

Rahm made sure the people's interests and a true consumer advocate such as Elizabeth Warren was vigorously supported.

Rahm also made sure Obama's appointments and czars truly represented all Americans instead of special interests.

Rahm is a believer in honest straightforward politics and not cronyism and hackery and political shenanigans.

The odds are stacked in his favor that no judge will be able to stand in his way because he is so well connected and our judicial system is without bias or politics.



More than a little :sarcasm:

[Faryn Balyncd]

133. Whatever happens, DON'T SEND HIM BACK to D.C.!

[udbcrzy2]

135. Hope that doesn't mean he's coming back n/t

[indy legend]

137. What goes around comes around. FUCK YOU RAHM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tatiana]

140. Chicagoans can only hope Rahmbo also loses his appeal of this decision.

I'm truly surprised at the ruling handed down... and written by one of IL's most respected judges.

[yurbud]

141. good riddance. Flush that turd into Lake Michigan

[ChairmanAgnostic]

149. NOOOOO!

Milwaukee still does that and it fucks up our water.

[yurbud]

207. I was stationed at Great Lakes and the Navy and couldn't figure out why no one was

swimming in Lake Michigan, so I went to the beach by myself, waded into up to about my knees before my legs started burning, and they kept itching for a couple of days after that.

A friend caught a fish in the lake, and when we cleaned it, I saw all kinds of tumors I've never seen in a fish before.

[Enthusiast]

144. Dang, too bad.

Sorry for your luck, Rahm. :party: I told my wife, if I was Chicago resident I would vote for the Republican rather than Rahm.

[janet118]

145. I hope Rahm's really out . . .

I'd love to see Carol Moseley Braun win.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

146. His Choices Are:

He can ask for a rehearing.
He can ask for a rehearing by the entire appellate division.
He can ask for leave to appeal. The supremes can say no.
He can claim he has an absolute right to appeal. The Supremes can say no.

In summary? he be fucked.

[Hubert Flottz]

150. Poor Baby...

Maybe FOX can use him.

[DesertFlower]

151. i didn't like rahm as chief of staff,

but some of my friends in chicago think he would be a great mayor.

[jody]

153. Comply with the law as courts dictate. nt

[davidwparker]

154. ... and he can't go back to the WH

He's too liberal for that crowd.

[KoKo]

156. Rahm (with his connections) will Beat this in the Courts...Like Cheney did

when he spent years in Texas Residency working for Halliburton...but Rahm has a better case. Rahm is the Annointed, Chosen One....It looks like a "slap on him" but he will prevail...just like Michael Bloomberg managed to over-ride NYC's laws about THIRD TERMS.

If you are Popular and a Power Broker to TWO PRESIDENTS....you will prevail.

Still....it was good to see the Illinois Courts do this to Rahm who is a dual citizen of the US and Israel!

Heh..Heh....a little "tap on the wrist" and it's very funny for us to see it!

:kick:

[KamaAina]

160. The dual citizenship thing is an anti-Semitic canard

leveled at him by a political opponent when he first ran for the House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel#Election_in_2002

The most controversial moment of the primary election came when Edward Moskal, president of the Polish American Congress, a political action committee endorsing Kaszak, called Emanuel a "millionaire carpetbagger who knows nothing" about "our heritage". Moskal also charged that Emanuel had dual citizenship with Israel and had served in the Israeli Army. Emanuel did not serve in the Israeli army, but was a civilian volunteer assisting the Israel Defense Forces for a short time during the 1991 Gulf War, repairing truck brakes in one of Israel's northern bases with Sar-El.

I can't stand him, either, but that's no reason to perpetuate those kinds of bigoted lies.

[KoKo]

168. Hey...all I know is that he has Dual Citizenship. I thought the same about Arnold Swartzenegger as

Governor of California. Dual Citizenship? It doesn't seem fair ...but Arnold got away with it...and Rahm and Cheney... Well... They are ABOVE OUR LAWS...but meanwhile "TEA BAGGERS" think Obama wasn't BORN IN THE USA! Give me a BREAK!

:eyes:

BTW...What about that NYC Mayor who got rules reneged to serve a THIRD TERM AS MAYOR! Why is it that rules are Made if they can be BROKEN ...IF you are POWERFUL ENOUGH TO OVERTURN LAWS and RULES?

[mod mom]

158. I hope someone in the Dem establishment read the comments on this post & realizes these are Dems.

Can you imagine what the GOP thinks. He is more polarizing than even Hillary.

[d_b]

159. fuck him

[madrchsod]

164. wow...i hope this does`t get overturned....

[DallasNE]

169. I Have No Dog In This Hunt

But I fail to see how this case is any different than when Mitch Daniels first ran for Governor of Indiana after leaving his Washington D.C. job. This also looks to create problems for retiring service members. It looks to me like the playing field has been changed by this activist Judge if the ruling stands.

[No Elephants]

221. This case was decided under Chicago's Municipal Code, not Indiana state law

So, that's one huge differene.

And this judge is anything but an activist. He says right in the opinion he believes the reasons for the law no longer exist, but, as a judge, he can only apply the law as written. (words to that effect).

So, he's given the lawmakers a broad hint, but his hands are tied beyond that

[baldguy]

171. If a person can't go to DC to serve to people & maintain their residency, that's troubling.

[No Elephants]

220. He maintained his residency for purposes of state law. However,

Chicago municipal code says you have to have lived in Chicago for one year if you want to run. He didn't.

Personally, with the monkey business Rahm pulled on his state tax returns, I would not even have given him state residency for purposes of voting.

[TheDailyConvo]

172. Rahmbo could be back

Will the Ill. Supreme Court overturn the decision? Is there enough time?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DlUm63Vuac

[Catherina]

174. I knew I'd find some good news today if I looked hard enough! Rec'd n/t

[pam4water]

176. No don't send him back to the whitehouse. Oh wait they are all shill in there anyway. Does

not matter if he goes back.

[xloadiex]

180. He still voted here

and compared to everyone else we have to pick from on that ballot, I'll choose Rahm any day.

[ProudDad]

182. Good...

This execrable POS shouldn't be dog-catcher let alone mayor...

[unkachuck]

183. "...Emanuel is not eligible to run for mayor of Chicago..."

....awwww, that's a shame....they got you on technicality....

"...he has not been a resident of the city for one year."

....you should have felt that in your heart and thought that with your brain....you can't be in Chicago and Washington at the same time; even if you had a split personality....

....we know, it's hard to find good jobs these days....not to worry, try contacting Mayor Braun about a press secretary position....I hear she's a kind and considerate boss and you do have the qualifications....don't be lazy rahmbone, you've got to make an effort....

[emsimon33]

188. There is a God!!!!!

There are few people in the Democratic Party more slimy than Rahm Emanuel--OK, no one.

Someone, something needs to end this guy's political career!!!!!

[Freddie Stubbs]

236. The Lord work in mysterious ways

[somone]

200. Good riddance

but the creep will eventually bribe his way in

[JCMach1]

202. Karma is a bitch...

[MilesColtrane]

204. BWAAHHAAHAHAAHHA!

:rofl:

[No Elephants]

222. Fucking retarded. ("By God, I love the law." Woodrow, Doonesbury.)

Ya know, they could help Rahm out by amending that outdated provision of the Chicago Municipal Code ASAP.

Maybe they should?

[SHRED]

227. Now who is the "retarded" one Rahm?

[BrightSideOfLife]

230. Sometimes justice really IS served.

Rahm is such a republican in democrat clothing.

[LynneSin]

231. This really makes no sense to me and here's why

Yesterday it was in the news that Joe Biden showed up for Jury Duty in Wilmington, Delaware. Mind you, Joe's primary residence for the past 2 years has been Washington DC in the home of the house that is specifically for the Vice President of the United States. And yet Joe still maintains his family home in Wilmington, he still votes here and he was just recently called (and served) jury duty for New Castle County, which is where Wilmington is located.

Isn't Rahm in the same position? Did he sell his home in Chicago - if he did I could see that the courts are right to ban him. But if he still has his home, then shouldn't he still be considered a citizen of Chicago even if he spends most of the past couple of years in DC either as a US Represenative or working for Obama.

[onpatrol98]

232. Different states have different rules...

Maybe Rahm stepped on a few toes on his way to Washington.

[LynneSin]

234. Well that's not unexpected whatsoever

but just pointing out the obvious

[Oldtimeralso]

233. BREAKING NEWS

As per a report on WGN TV the Illinois Supreme Court has stayed the Appellate Court ruling. The ballots being printed today (for early voting which begins in a week) must include Rahm Emanuel's name.