This is going to be a race they could make a movie about.
Emanuel perceived by many as a privileged white kid from one of the most expensive Chicago suburbs. A Chicago outsider. Puts education at the top of his platform yet won't commit to sending his children there. Has huge national political support and by far the largest bank but little if any aldermatic support. Teamsters also seem to be on board. The favorite 1/5
Carole Mosely Braun the only African American candidate. Former senator and New Zealand ambassador has spent her private years since accumulating debt (both personal and business) and mortgages. Something is goofy with her tax returns or she somehow sold out her senate pension to that need money now commercial. Four days ago she bashed Emanuel for raising 'outside money' and tonight she is in DC at a fund raiser and tomorrow will be in Atlanta (I believe) for another. Little if no shot and lucky to get the majority of the black vote that will be low. Live longshot if the race comes up biased. 9-1
Chico former head of chicago public schools and mayor Daley's chief of staff. Horse for the course angle. Favored by Chicago alderman and so far has the Fire Department's union as a backer. Wise guy's horse. 3-1
Miguel De Valle current City Clerk and former State Senator. SS to CC is a huge class drop and this guy who would likely be asked for papers if Chicago Police pulled him over and he spoke much less get any support. Huge outsider. 30-1
There's one more candidate but no one knows anything and a likely scratch.
The race is easy on paper as it's Emanuel's race to lose. But the city is a very different track than what Rham's been running on and his camp seems overconfident almost smug. I'm going with Chico in an upset. Besides to the average Joe in Chicago Mayor of Chicago Gary Chico sounds far better than Mayor of Chicago Rham Emanuel. Kind of like Richard or Ritchie Daley over Barack or Barackie Obama.
