Emanuel Sworn In As Chicago Mayor

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rahm-emanuelRahm Emanuel was sworn in as Chicago’s mayor today, ushering in the first transition in leadership in more than two decades, and putting one of President Barack Obama’s closest advisors in charge of the president’s hometown.

“New times demand new answers,” the former White House chief of staff said in his inaugural speech. “Old problems cry out for better results. This morning, we leave behind the old ways and old divisions and begin a new day for Chicago. I am proud to lead a city united in common purpose and driven by a common thirst for change.”

In a nod to a slogan from Obama’s 2008 campaign, Emanuel said that “Chicago is the city of ‘yes we can,’ not ‘no we can’t.” He briefly mentioned his former boss, thanking “President Obama, who loves Chicago so much he understood why I want to come home to get our city moving again.”

Emanuel, a Democrat who represented a north Chicago House district before resigning to join Obama’s team, left the administration last fall to start his campaign.

The only major obstacle that he faced during the campaign was about his residency, as foes challenged his right to be on the municipal ballot because he had rented out his house while working in Washington. He led in polling throughout the race and ultimately captured 55 percent of the vote in February, avoiding a run-off.

Obama played no public role in the campaign but was a touchstone of credibility that Emanuel referenced throughout. The president denied making calls urging support for Emanuel, and the campaign released an ad using comments Obama made about the candidate at the press conference where Emanuel announced his resignation.

Obama is not in Chicago for the inauguration, but Vice President Joe Biden is. He is joined by Emanuel’s replacement at the White House, Bill Daley. This makes for a swarm of overlapping connections: Emanuel is succeeding Daley’s brother, Richard, who has been mayor for the last 22 years. Their father, Richard Daley Sr., was Chicago’s most famous mayor, serving 21 years until he died at his desk in 1976.

Also expected to be on hand from the Obama administration are Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

{Capitol News Company, LLC/Matzav.com Newscenter}


8 COMMENTS

  1. He’s already got an “Orthodox” Rabbi who has ‘allowed’ him to be mechalel Shabbos. After all, decisions by officials in important government positions can be matters of pikuach nefesh!

  2. Rahm has his own style and guess what folks, he gets the job done. Don’t bring him into your yeshiva and think he is going to speak the french you want him to speak in public=.

  3. to #3, Yes Telshe starts at 8:00, but it is rare that they go beyond 10:15.

    And to #6, the liberal ones did. The ehrliche Oilam, well . . . !

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