Now that Karen Lewis has left the race for mayor, it looks like Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be easily reelected. Unless some latter-day Jimmy Stewart (think “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”) or Gary Cooper (and here, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”) emerges, the election might be a yawner.
However, before I cast my vote or completely concede the election to Emanuel, there is one question I would like him to answer: If elected, will he finish out all four years of his new term?
If Hillary Clinton runs for president and is (unfortunately) elected, will Emanuel leave Chicago for some cabinet post (or perhaps some loftier position) and leave us in the lurch? After all, they are rather cozy. Or during the course of the presidential campaign, will Emanuel be absent from his post here, going around the country shilling for Clinton and, in the process, raising campaign money for her, the Democratic Party and himself?
Chicago’s problems aren’t part-time ones. Rather, they are full-time, if not “over-time” ones. We need a full-time mayor to deal with potholes and pensions, contracts and community development, education and ethics.
What are your plans, Mr. Mayor?
— John Vukmirovich, Chicago
Follow the Editorial Board on Twitter: @Trib_Ed_Board
