RAHMWATCH: Progressive Democrats finally realize Rahm is a reactionary Republican wearing a donkey suit as a disguise
With three weeks to go before the all-important February 24, 2015 Chicago municipal election, the "progressive" wing of the national Democratic Party has finally broken with the reactionary corporatist wing headed by President Barack Obama. On January 29, 2015, Howard Dean's "Democracy in America" came out against Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's bid for a second term as Mayor of Chicago.
Thanks to Fred Klonsky for this graphic. But the reality is, Barack Obama is trying to get Rahm Emanuel elected to a second term as Mayor of Chicago using the same trick that helped Rahm in the 2010 election -- an Obama endorsement.The critique of Rahm's reign, published in the American Spectator, was a listing all of the reasons why working families in Chicago have long opposed Rahm -- even as Barack Obama was crafting radio ads in support of the Emanuel re-election campaign. Actually, though, the Obama ads simply solidified the fact that Obama is among the reactionary Republicrats who have undermined any progressive agenda for the Democratic Party for 20 years (since the ascension of Bill Clinton). Think Single Payer health care as an example, and forget about the Nobel Peace Prize winner who has done more wars in more places (thanks to his Drone murder program) than any other President in U.S. history.
The Democracy in America mailing calls on people across the USA to support the "New Chicago Seven" -- the seven progressive aldermen who have stood up to Rahm in the 50-person Chicago City Council. "That's why DFA is endorsing these seven Alderman candidates -- who we're calling the Chicago Seven -- and we need your support to defend them and defeat Emanuel," the mailing says. "Chicago DFA members have put out a national call for help to support these seven Alderman candidates under attack from Rahm Emanuel. Will you come to their aid? Stand with the Chicago Seven by chipping in $3 or more today!"
But first for the Chicago news:
On February 1, 2015, the following news came from "Democracy in America," the progressive PAC run by Howard Dean:
Howard Dean Targets Rahm Emanuel. Jeffrey Lord. January 29, 2015, The American Spectator
As mayor of Chicago, Rahm has unleashed an unprecedented attack on working families, especially the poor and people of color.
Can you say �Democrat civil war�? How about �progressive civil war�? Howard Dean and brother Jim, the founder and chairman respectively of the progressive PAC Democracy for America, have declared war on�Rahm Emanuel.
Yes, you read that right. The PAC founded by Howard Dean � the former Democratic governor of Vermont, one-time presidential candidate, and ex-chairman of the Democratic National Committee � has unleashed an angry fundraising email dedicated to electing leftist city council candidates opposed to the notorious Rahm �Rahmbo� Emanuel, the progressive mayor of Chicago and Obama's ex-White House chief of staff. The letter is signed by Jim Dean. The email in its entirety reads (with all the bold print in the original):
One of the most important elections of 2015 is right around the corner -- and Democracy for America is in the thick of it, defending progressive champions against a notorious corporate Democrat.
That notorious figure is none other than Rahm Emanuel. As mayor of Chicago, Rahm has unleashed an unprecedented attack on working families, especially the poor and people of color. Here are just a few of the terrible things Rahm has done as mayor:
� He closed more than 50 public neighborhood schools, primarily in African American and Latino neighborhoods. � He closed half of Chicago's public mental health clinics, leaving many of the poorest and most in need without access to quality, affordable care. � He attacked unions, including cutting pension benefits while using tax dollars for corporate subsidies. � He refused to hire more police officers to combat the city's crime problem, citing budgetary constraints. � He broke his promise of openness, fighting efforts at increased transparency, ignoring community input, and micro-managing the press.
Seven Aldermen -- John Arena, Toni Foulkes, Leslie Hairston, Rick Munoz, Roderick Sawyer, Nick Sposato, and Scott Waguespack -- have taken the lead in fighting Rahm's corporate agenda. Now Rahm is coming after them, using millions of dollars in a Super PAC funded by large corporations to try and defeat these seven progressive Aldermen. Rahm's goal: replace them with cronies who answer only to him and his wealthy backers, rather than to the people.
Chicago firefighter and 36th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato (above, at a January 29 forum) was gerrymandered out of the 36th Ward by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's City Council allies and is running in 2015 for alderman of the nearby 38th Ward on Chicago's Northwest Side. Above, Sposato at an aldermanic candidates' forum on January 29, 2015. During the Chicago Teachers Strike of 2012, Sposato walked the picket line daily with teachers in his ward, especially providing dramatic support to teachers at Steinmetz High School, the largest school in the 36th Ward. Substance photo by Sharon Schmidt.If Rahm Emanuel wins the mayoral election in February (or a runoff in April), he will have no unified opposition on the City Council. He will be able to kneecap progressive power in Chicago -- just as progressives are winning important victories in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and more.
That's why DFA is endorsing these seven Alderman candidates -- who we're calling the Chicago Seven -- and we need your support to defend them and defeat Emanuel.
Chicago DFA members have put out a national call for help to support these seven Alderman candidates under attack from Rahm Emanuel. Will you come to their aid? Stand with the Chicago Seven by chipping in $3 or more today!
DFA is making a significant investment in defending the Chicago Seven. With your help, we are launching a major field campaign in these seven wards. We're recruiting friends, family, and neighbors, launching phonebanks, and canvassing neighborhoods.
This is a grassroots, people-powered operation -- in stark contrast to the top-down, big money, negative campaign that Rahm Emanuel is leading against these progressives.
With your help we can send a strong message to Rahm Emanuel and leaders across America that progressives reject the agenda of privatization, public school closings, and stagnant wages for working families. We will show that we fight for an economy that works for everyone -- and that we will hit the streets and the phones to defend those elected officials who stand with us.
We have less than a month to go before the first round of elections. These seven Alderman candidates need your help today to defend themselves against Rahm Emanuel's attacks. Please chip in $3 or more to help DFA build a people-powered campaign to re-elect the Chicago Seven!
The whole world is watching. Thank you for helping win this important election.
� Jim Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America
By: Jeff johnston
Donation
Where do I donate ,I don't even live in the city and I want donate