Potential Opponents Had Just About Enough Of Rahm's Tour
CHICAGO (CBS) - Nearly a dozen are either running for Chicago mayor or thinking about it. But all eyes this week have been on just one man. It's been all Rahm, all the time. But CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports his potential opponents have had just about enough of Emanuel's welcome home tour.
Campaigning in Jefferson Park Wednesday morning, Rahm Emanuel's interview with reporters was interrupted by an admirer.
"I'm happy you're here," the woman said.
Others are far from pleased. A noisy demonstration outside City Council chambers urged him to run for mayor in Arizona, a clear reference to the Obama administration's stalled immigration reform effort.
Sheriff Tom Dart shrugged off Day 3 of Emanuel's listening tour.
"I've been touring the city all my life," Dart said, "so I really don't have to do the walking tour."
Dart, we've learned, is leaning toward making his candidacy official in a matter of days. While Emanuel, we're told, plans to wait until after the November 2nd election.
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Former Daley Chief of Staff Gery Chico is already in, and was out tonight, pressing the flesh and making his case; though he understands that Rahm's return is headline news.
"We've been talking about substance and issues," said Chico. "While others have been talking about tours, we've been talking about what we've been doing."
Others are taking advantage of Emanuel's dominating the spotlight to hold private meetings, like Senator James Meeks attempting to mend fences with the gay and lesbian community, while hoping for the nod of African-American leaders.
"There is a process we're engaged in," said Ald. Anthony Beale. "We're working real closely and within the near future we'll come out with a consensus candidate."
It's the only thing they're talking about in City Hall, where candidate Ald. Robert Fioretti had his own way of describing what's happening.
"The circus, which makes politics interesting here in the city of Chicago," he said.
Sooner or later, the novelty of Rahm's return will wear off, and others will have their day. Don't forget, we've still got nearly five months before Chicagoans go to the polls.
CBS 2 Political Producer Ed Marshall contributed to this report.
