I can’t believe the endorsement of our savior – Barack Obama – didn’t push Rahm over the top. I guess money can’t buy you love. It usually buys enough votes from the brothers, but not this time. Maybe Rahm should have gotten a few more dead voters to vote. It worked for JFK. This is another reflection of the changing mood in this country. Eight years ago, Rahm would have garnered 90% of the vote. Today he got half that amount. Times they are a changing.
Forced into runoff against Garcia, hoarse Rahm says ‘We have a little bit further to go’
For Rahm Emanuel, Tuesday’s mayoral election was the political equivalent of Groundhog Day: six more weeks of campaigning.
With 97 percent of the precincts counted, Emanuel had 45.3 percent to 33.9 percent for his top challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. That’s 4.5 percent short of the 50 percent-plus-one vote that the mayor needs to avoid an April 7 runoff against Garcia. Millionaire businessman Willie Wilson was running third with 10.5 percent, followed by Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) with 7.4 percent and William “Dock” Walls with 2.7 percent.
The 34 percent turnout — down from 42.5 percent four years ago — should have benefited the incumbent with the $15 million warchest and the most sophisticated get-out-the-vote operation. But it was not enough to spare Emanuel from the political embarrassment of a runoff and a grueling Round 2.
Despite an 11th-hour in-person endorsement from President Barack Obama that Emanuel turned into a closing campaign commercial, Wilson got just enough of the African-American vote to deny the mayor a second term outright.
Garcia also appeared to be doing considerably better than final polling suggested.
Emanuel addressed his supporters shortly before 9:30 p.m. and tried to put the best possible face on an embarrassing situation.
“Thank you, Chicago. We’ve come a long way, and we have a little bit further to go,” Emanuel said.
“To those who voted for us, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those who voted for someone else, I hope to earn your support.”
Still hoarse from a severe cold that hit him in the final days of the campaign, Emanuel congratulated Garcia for a “good race” and called him a “good man” with whom he looks forward to debating the issues in the weeks ahead. Then, he braced his supporters for the grueling, six-week spring ahead.
“To those who are gathered here tonight and throughout the city, you have worked hard. I want you to take a moment to celebrate what we have accomplished over the last four years. Take stock in it, and let us double down because, tomorrow morning, I’ll be seeing you at the L stops as I have every morning,” the mayor said.
Continue reading “RAHM OUTSPENDS OPPONENTS BY 12 TO 1 AND CAN’T GET 50% OF THE VOTE”
