WP:Senior admin official tells us that they would be"shocked"if Emanuel doesnt run for Chicago mayor

[Pirate Smile]

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to retire, speculation swirls around Rahm Emanuel candidacy

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's surprise announcement today that he would not seek a seventh term in 2011 immediately set off speculation that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel would enter the race.
"In the end, this was a personal decision, no more, no less," Daley said in Chicago Tuesday. "I've been thinking about this for the last several months...It just feels right."

Meanwhile, a senior Obama Administration official said Emanuel is likely to run for the post.
"I'd be shocked if he doesn't run," the official said.

Emanuel, who held a Chicago-area Congressional district prior to being named to his current post in late 2008, has long had designs on the mayor's office.

"I would like to run for the mayor of the city of Chicago," Emanuel told talk show host Charlie Rose in April. "That has always been an aspiration of mine even when I was in the House of Representatives."
(We wrote at the time that if Daley didn't retire, Emanuel's political options were very limited.)
Emanuel did not return an email seeking comment on his future political plans today. But, he has made no secret of his desire to return to public life.

Conversations with plugged-in Chicago Democrats -- and boy are there lots of them! -- make clear that if Emanuel ran, he would be the clear frontrunner although almost certainly wouldn't have the field entirely to himself.
Emanuel's ties to Daley go all the way back to 1989 when he served as finance chairman for the younger Daley's successful bid. (Daley's father -- Richard J. Daley -- held the mayor's office for two decades before dying on the job in 1976.)

Those strong ties to Daley -- and his political machine -- coupled with the former Congressman's demonstrated fundraising prowess and the behind-the-scenes role that President Obama could play in his home state make Emanuel a strong potential candidate.

http://wapo.st/9jkSSX

[bluestateguy]

1. Then Mayor Daley just did us all a great favor

And good riddance to the anti-choice and anti-gun mayor.

[Pirate Smile]

2. People can relax about Rahm being in the White House. He'll be gone after the November election.

[zipplewrath]

4. I suspect you're right.

Especially if there is a major shift in the congress.

[TBF]

8. Now that is a reason to vote. nt

[Radical Activist]

3. He'll have competition.

If Daley and others decide they want an easy race for a different candidate then I suspect they'll be able to convince Rahm to stay in his current position.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Rahm's charm will make him a shoo-in

Don't let the door hit you in the ass!

[prolesunited]

6. If he has Daley's machine behind him

it will take a really strong candidate to beat him

[doc03]

7. I think he should encouraged to run we need to get him out

of DC.