Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is being observed by many as they think his rough ways will vary as he keeps on struggling with the increasing fiscal issues of the city, even though he came off to be considerate during his successful fight for the position with his contender Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
Former advisor to President Obama, Emanuel won the re-election in the city’s first-ever mayoral runoff. Millions of dollars have been spent on his re-election with some of it to restore his sturdy, top-down approach.
After failing to get more than 50% of the vote in the first round of voting in February 24th he appeared on TV ads in a sweater rather than his business suit, admitting that he at times rubs people the wrong way.
The man’s motives are being questioned by observers who wonder if he can really change, when Emanuel said on Tuesday that he will be a better mayor because of the election.
Paul Green, political science professor with Roosevelt University said “The mayor is who he is. I think he’s sincere when he says he’ll listen more, but I don’t think it will change much.”
Political consultant Don Rose, a Garcia adviser, said that Emanuel is a pragmatist and an egoist and he believes it’s tough that he will take any lesson from the election. The only change he will be making in his reputation is as an anti-union.
Emanuel has already been criticized by Garcia for closing 50 public schools, a hate crime and a perceived attraction for wealthy donors over the general public.
According to Emanuel, he has made difficult decisions for the third-largest city of the country. Emanuel is faced with contract talks with a teacher’s union who are hostile, a budget-cutting Republican Illinois governor and inflating pension payments.
Chicago is on the verge of a deficit which may increase to $1.2 billion in the upcoming year, and Emanuel may be calling for additional union concessions and probably higher taxes on property.
Garcia supporter Kythzia Jurado, 40, expressed uncertainties saying “I think we’ll see a softer Rahm at first but it remains to be seen what he does behind closed doors,” Jurado said.
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Sorry to hear the folks of Chicago have chosen (or been given) more attacks on their Civil Rights and destruction of America with the “result” of this election. You either are getting what you deserve or are getting what they want you, and all of us, to endure. Elitist, Fascist, bigots in high office isn’t a good thing. One would think you’d learned your lesson after watching such activity at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.for 6 years. That’s why the election results are suspicious. First, you can’t all be that stupid, and second, it is Chicago, and you have a history of rigged elections. In either case, I am sorry for your loss.