Mayor Emanuel Gets In One More Ribbon-Cutting Before Leaving The Country
(CBS) – Mayor Rahm Emanuel's re-election campaign leaked favorable polling information as the incumbent departed for a 10-day vacation out of the country.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine characterizes it as Emanuel's split political personality: The mayor is seemingly confident of victory eight weeks before Election Day, yet he's still trying to knock an opponent off the ballot through a legal challenge.
Emanuel cut the ribbon on a new craft brewery on Motor Row, a sign of economic progress and mayoral might.
"This is an example of our ability throughout the city of Chicago to create jobs, create opportunities and the vibrancy we want to see," Emanuel said at a public appearance Friday.
Meanwhile, Willie Wilson, the multi-millionaire businessman, was at the board of elections fighting to stay on the crowded mayoral ballot.
Emanuel defended the challenge.
"Everybody has to meet a threshold set by the board of elections. I've been challenged. You guys are all veterans, you know that," the mayor said.
Other sources say challenging to Wilson himself is the fact he owns several residences, one in the suburbs, and they're not sure where he lives. They claim they've found thousands of improper signatures.
"I am just as sure that Willie Wilson is going to be on this ballot as I am black and handsome. He's going to be on the ballot," said Wilson's campaign manager, Rickey Hendon.
Knocking Wilson off the ballot, some believe, is an attempt to discourage a big African-American voter turnout, making it easier for the incumbent to win the primary outright.
A new internal poll leaked by Emanuel's campaign indicates he's well within striking distance of that victory, to avoid a risky head-to-head battle in April.
Emanuel is taking a family vacation in Chile.
