Chicago Tribune Endorsement

Chicago Tribune Endorsement

You may wonder why I'd post the Chicago Tribune's endorsement since they endorsed Rahm Emanuel, and I am backing Gery Chico.  I wanted to point out some things from their article that they are using as reasons why they did not endorse Chico who, if you read the article, you can see was clearly their second choice.

"But it was the other major player in this crowded field, Gery Chico, who made this decision difficult. It's rare to have two competing candidates who could do this job so well. Chico, too, has a record of effectiveness in government, particularly during his tenure as head of the Chicago Public Schools board during the first, groundbreaking wave of education reform.

Chico, though, is largely a product of Chicago government. He has built a successful career in law and public service via his hard-earned clout at City Hall. We do not see Chico as the candidate likeliest to disrupt a status quo of which he is such an integral part. That is the realpolitik reason why public employees unions have been gravitating toward Chico." 

1) Chico has built a successful career in law and public service via his hard earned clout at City Hall.  - Okay, don't you normally build on what you have to help your career?  He has clients in his law firm that come from his days at City Hall.  If you need a lawyer, wouldn't you turn to someone you knew and trusted?  I don't understand why this is an issue.  This isn't the "Chicago way", that's business.  You build your career and company on networking.

2) I cannot speak for the police or fire departments, but the way I heard it, the fire department endorsed Chico because Emanuel gave them the very clear impression that he just didn't give a fig about them.  Who on earth is going to endorse someone who doesn't care.  The police and fire departments have not been treated well under the Daley administration, why would they want more of the same?   I would like to remind everyone that the police and firemen in this city, and all cities, put their lives on the line EVERY day for the citizens in their cities.  If you have a problem with them, think about what would happen if you needed them and they just didn't show up.

3) Chico has the experience to help our schools.  I do not know Rahm's background but I have not read anything about how he has already fixed the same problems we are dealing with right now.  However, Gery has.  So why should we vote for someone who might get the job done as opposed to someone who we know can get the job done?

The Trib's endorsement seems to be built an suppositions that Emanuel will do a better job, that's fine.  They're entitled to their opinion.  I just think their wrong.  They say themselves that "It's rare to have two competing candidates who could do this job so well."  Chico is the right one.