Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel discusses considering presidential run, criticizes President Donald Trump at City Club
CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel covered a lot of ground at City Club Chicago Thursday, including the National Guard, education, the city budget, his own future and a political regret.
Staying relevant and vocal is Emanuel’s mission, as he decides his next political move. He says a presidential run will depend on if he has enough energy, original ideas and the ability to get them done.
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“Not say it, not think it, not articulate it, but execute it and if I can think I can do that, I’ll do it. If I can’t, I won’t,” Emanuel said.
Speaking before a full house at the City Club, Emanuel touched on many national topics, including criticizing President Donald Trump, but never mentioning his name.
“You know more about his position on what he wants to do on the East Wing of the White House and what he wants to do for kids’ future,” Emanuel said.
Emanuel called it insane that national leaders are doing nothing about the fact that two-thirds of American kids can’t read or do math at grade level. As for the president sending the National Guard to Chicago, he said, “This is a sequel to ‘Dumb and Dumber.’ I never knew with a dumber idea.”
Emanuel strongly criticized what he calls Trump’s constant politics of hunger games in American cities.
The former mayor’s appearance was not all national issues. He was asked how he would solve Chicago’s current budget crisis. Making it a practice not to criticize his successors, Emanuel says recruiting more companies helps.
“If you’re growing, people are investing. And if people are investing, again, not that the budget for the city gets is solid, but it is easier to me,” Emanuel said.
With a resume full of political jobs, including working for two former presidents, Emanuel did share one regret on the order of his successes.
“Please don’t tell President Obama this. I would have been the better chief of staff had I been mayor first. Because you have that experience, that knowledge, that kind of as low to the ground would have given you a perspective,” Emanuel said.
As he mulls over a possible run for president, Emanuel did not give a timetable on when he will make a decision. Until then, he’ll do what he can to stay in the public eye.
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