I have no love for the Chicago political machine, run by the Daley family. Why? I was one of the many who helped organize the demonstration at the Democratic Convention in 1968, and I was there when Daley’s father refused to honor the demonstration permit, that we had procured in good faith, and ordered his storm troopers to attack the demonstrators in what a later Congressional investigation would call a “police riot”. I ended up with three stitches in my head and a separated shoulder that day. But I cannot deny that Richard Daley has given us a priceless gift.
Richard M. Daley’s 21-year run as mayor will end next spring with the city broadly reshaped by his vision and unprecedented grip on power, but with his image as Chicago’s sure-handed leader increasingly challenged.
He stepped off the political stage in stunning fashion Tuesday, with the city in a time of great transition, years of recession taking its toll on his reputation as a shrewd manager, and money running out to keep Chicago moving forward.
His rule was defined by bold strokes and secretiveness, traits that brought him his greatest successes but gradually undermined his effectiveness.
Daley leaves a legacy of broad accomplishments, such as Millennium Park and neighborhood revitalization. Other initiatives remain incomplete, such as the ongoing efforts to improve Chicago public schools and expand O’Hare International Airport.
Daley often spoke of how his passion for leading the city remained strong, so his decision to pull the plug led to questions about his underlying motivation… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Chicago Tribune>
While I do not agree with the Tribune’s high praise of the man, and think that he is leaving, because Chicago’s economy is in the tank, but that is not where I’m going with this. Why is the decision a gift to the left?
The political computer in the White House has been plagued with defective Rahm. Rahm Emmanuel wants Daley’s job, and although not formally announced, will be leaving the White House. Frankly, Obama should have fired him long ago as the person most responsible for crafting and persisting in Obama’s failed attempts at bipartisanship, and promoting the appointment of other corporate Democrats at key posts. I hope that Obama looks to his base for his next Chief of Staff.
Whom would you recommend?
10 Responses to “Richard Daley’s Gift to the Left”
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I believe you’re correct about Rahm but i don’t think he will be able to choose the needed aides but rather the necessary ones.
Mark, I fear you may be right.
Wow! You were part of the ’68 demonstration in Chicago. Congrats. I watched it on TV. My political views were more “mixed” in those days. I come from a conservative family and I was still conflicted over what I had been taught and what I was hearing in the news. But I hated Mayor Daley and his stormtroopers.
Tom, I was part of all the major demonstrates in the east in the mid 1960s. Congrats on the integrity to outgrow your family.
Getting the serious stuff out of the way first, Politico blog is giving handicapped odds to deputy national security adviser, Tom Donilon; along with deputy national security adviser, Ron Klain. And they’re also including Bill Clinton’s last three chiefs of staff: Leon Panetta; Erskine Bowles; and John Podesta.
The blogosphere seems to be favoring Howard Dean and Ed Rendell.
At his own blog, Michael Moore has magnanimously volunteered his services – which you gotta admit would provide plenty of popcorn time when he takes on the BlueDog Dems.
As for my pick, the one criteria I would absolutely demand is someone with a spine!
And in the *snark* category, Blago (depending on how his appeal goes) might be looking for a position.
[First time at trying out the link/text feature, so apologies if it fails.]
Mayor Daley has done a lot of good for this city, but the City Council rubber stamps anything he wants. He looks like a man with a bad temper. I was happy that he bulldozded Meigs field in the middle of the night. (It was an exec airport so they didn’t have to deal with O’Hare.) He turned it into parkland, fixed the goofy Lake Shore drive killer S turn, made a Museum Campus out of re-routed LSD so that you didn’t have to cross 4 lanes of deadly LSD traffic to get there and all 3 museums were within walking distance, planted millions of flowers and greened up downtown (there is even a water retention roof on the City Hall building complete with walking pathways), made sure the garbage was picked up, starting a recycling program (although fraught with detriments), installed 1000’s of miles of bike paths (you still take your life in your hand, but still; Daley is an avid bike rider, and just made the city more livable, prettier and safer.
Rahm will be a disaster for the City of Chicago. I’m taking bets now, but I bet he’s out in one term. Chicago likes their politicians nasty, but not outwardly so. Rahm’s going to blow several gaskets by the time his term is up. I’d rather see one of Daley’s sons run; they seem to get calmer as they get farther from granddaddy. 😉
Lisa, that’s your home field, so I’ll defer to you. I still have a small scar on my foregead fro his daddy.
Wherever Rahm runs, I will oppose him.
Your links worked fine. It you “_blank” the target, they’ll be perfect 🙂
Michael Moore is too much to hope for. I like Dean, as he did a formidible job at DNC.
Rahm will say whatever you want to hear to get your support. Then he will break it off in your ass in the finest tradition of Illinois politics.
I look forward to he and Jesse Jackson Jr. going at it. And don’t be surprised if Blagojevich gets off and jumps in the race.
That would be a complete zoo!!