" Rahm's Toughest Hurdle"

[mod mom]

If Rahm Emanuel's newly-launched campaign for Chicago's mayorship fails, it won't be because of carpetbagging or his foul mouth. Dirk Johnson on the popular sheriff in Rahm's way.
Rahm Emanuel might seem an untouchable in the race for mayor of Chicago. He's got cash to burn, a virtual letter of recommendation from President Obama, and a reputation as an ass-kicker in a city that celebrates tough guys.

Before he thinks about getting cozy in Mayor Daley's chair, however, he'll have to contend with the sheriff in town, Tom Dart.

As the Cook County Sheriff, Dart, 48, has cultivated uncommon political street cred among Chicago's typically fractious blocs: liberal reformers, old Democratic Party machine loyalists, latte sippers along the lakefront, barber-shop customers on the South Side, and union hard-hats in the labor halls.

"Tommy Dart is one hot political property," said Don Rose, a longtime political strategist. "He is clearly the main competition for Rahm Emanuel."

-snip

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-10-02/rahm-emanuels-toughest-chicago-mayoral-foe-tom-dart/

Good, sounds like Rahm has some competition. One more note, Joe Trippi is a Dart's advisor. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

1. PLUS.last night it was Tweety, I believe, who said Rahm may have to deal some residency requirements

He owns a house in Chi, but may not be considered to have actually lived there for the year that would be required for him to become Mayor..

[mcollins]

4. It's pretty clear by the law that Rahm may has issues

but the court will decide in his favor so it should be ok.

[frazzled]

2. The only problem I see with Dart is

that he's the same Irish-Catholic, Daley machine-connected politician that has run this city (with the exception of Harold Washington) for generations. That bothers me a bit. Not that I have anything against Irish Catholics (although maybe I have a problem with the machine). It's just that this is such a diverse city. Can't we find a new kind of icon? Neither of the African American candidates right now is at all appealing (Meeks is an out-and-out homophobe, while Rickey Hendon is a joke). I think del Valle might have a shot. I am doubting Guitierrez will get in.

All I really know about Dart is (1) the foreclosure incident (and he softened on that when the banks agreed not to be "mean" when they kicked the tenants out) and (2) the Craig's List incident, which really doesn't say much to me. I certainly voted for him last time as sheriff, but I actually didn't know a thing about him. I voted for him because he's a Democrat.

And although he's not actually in the race yet, rumor has it that he's hired Joe Trippi as his campaign advisor. Big mistake, Tom, imo: Trippi's record is not very good in running campaigns or getting folks elected.

[mod mom]

3. He did hire Trippi, that's how I found the article (FB)

It wasn't Trippi's fault that the media screwed Howard Dean or that John Edwards "screwed" his chances. I think Trippi will give Dart some cred with progressives.

[Radical Activist]

5. Trippi has a bad rep with many progressives.

I'm not sure he can still help much. Dart is a good candidate though.