Mayoral Candidates Seek To Define Themselves At First Debate
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The candidates for mayor squared off in the first of five debates on Tuesday, when they met with the Chicago Tribune editorial board.
Each of the four challengers vying to oust Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought to separate himself from the crowd; Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia as "the neighborhood guy," Ald. Bob Fioretti as someone "who fought in the trenches" at City Hall, perennial candidate William "Dock" Walls as "the most qualified candidate," and businessman Willie Wilson as the candidate who's "coming for real."
Emanuel, meanwhile, said it was "not time to go back to a failed set of status quo politics and policies that brought Chicago to the brink."
"This is the time to actually continue to pursue the reforms that are necessary," Emanuel added.
After the candidates introduced themselves, the debate became part policy discussion, part free-for-all, with most of the attacks aimed at Emanuel.
Garcia said Emanuel has focused on downtown Chicago at the expense of the neighborhoods.
"The economic development has been uncoordinated and haphazard, because I think the mayor doesn't understand Chicago neighborhoods. He didn't grow up here. He doesn't breed what the city needs," Garcia said.
Emanuel said otherwise, only to be interrupted by Walls.
"We want to move all of Chicago forward, both our neighborhoods – with an economic strategy built around education, housing, transportation, good parks, and good libraries – but also make sure that the city of Chicago is continuing to recruit," Emanuel said.
"With all due respect, Mayor Emanuel, with all due respect, you may have good intentions, but you have failed miserably as mayor of the city of Chicago. In your world, you may think that you've made a difference in people's lives, but people are dying in the streets of Chicago," Walls interjected.
Walls said he wants to undo Emanuel's most prominent programs and policies, including the controversial school closings in 2013.
"I want to reopen those 50 schools. I want to get rid of those red light cameras. I want to make certain that the people of the city of Chicago have a better quality of life, and that they don't feel imprisoned by the rules that Rahm Emanuel has put in place," he said.
Fioretti accused Emanuel of taking credit for initiatives that started before he took office in 2011, such as a new Walmart store in the Pullman neighborhood, and a nearby affordable housing apartment complex.
"Let's face it, Walmart was in the works before you came in. Pullman Wheelworks, the housing for 210-214 was a multi-faceted deal that was in the works before you came in," Fioretti said.
The mayor defended his record, pointing to the College To Careers program at the City Colleges of Chicago, and the renovation of the south end of the CTA Red Line.
He said such development promotes more private investment in the neighborhoods.
Emanuel also chided Fioretti for voting to approve the despised parking meter lease deal.
After the debate, the mayor's media machine sent out an email citing a series of stories showing Garcia advocating or entertaining a number new tax options. An email which also leveled attacks on Fioretti.
But neither Wilson nor Walls was mentioned in that email, nor were they engaged during the debate. The Mayor's clearly concentrated on those he considered his strongest challengers
The final debate will be sponsored by CBS 2, the Chicago Urban League, the Business Leadership Council, and WVON Radio on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. Emanuel, Fioretti, Garcia and Wilson will face off at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place.