“I CAN TELL BY THE WAY YOU DRESS THAT YOU ARE A REAL COWBOY”

12/23/09

The subject of Rahm Emanuel came up in an e-conversation with an old and good friend this morning. I though my comments merited a post, so here it goes:

Rahm Emanuel, by the way, is one of the most overrated people in the world. My theory is that he fancies himself, as does the easily impressed, compensating national media, some kind of two-fisted tough guy because he drops an occasional F-bomb. (How that makes one tough is completely beyond me, but that's grist for another mill.) However, back in his hometown, the city of deals, he is little more than a pissant. Yes, he may have more power in Washington than one could hope to achieve in any position in Chicago (though that is doubtful...two mayors named Daley achieved considerable state and national power in local office. However, little Rahm is no Rich Daley, let alone Dick Daley. To even suggest the latter is laughable.), but I suspect it grates on him that he never hit the big leagues in the city that is synonymous with tough guy deal makers. The attitude among the real powers in this town toward Rahm seems to be "Yeah, sure kid...make like you're tough, act like a big guy, do whatever the hell you want. Just make sure you keep sending federal money our way or we'll find someone who will. Understand, kid?"

Just a theory.