* Please note that we mistakenly printed that Wednesday the Mayor received the endorsement of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. The Black Caucus has corrected the miscommunication. They have not endorsed Rahm Emanuel.
CHICAGO — Contrary to popular belief all Black folks do not think alike, act alike or look alike. Unfortunately this stereotypical thinking of many whites has spilled over into the thinking amongst Blacks themselves and is most expected where politic is concerned. It is expected that Blacks vote Democratic, which has been the way the majority for many years have voted given that traditionally the Democratic party has presented a platform more responsive to the needs, issues and concerns of the African American community. This has been expected and predictable behavior that only in the recent twenty-five years has shown some variance. Blacks have stepped outside the boundaries and chosen to break from the herd choosing to act more independently. This is especially important in Chicago where Blacks as a solid voting block still carry a lot of weight proven when Rahm Emanuel ran for his first term in office.
He won every majority-Black ward in the city when he was elected in 2011. But this final run off has presented , a legion of Black leaders rallied to the side of his insurgent liberal opponent, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
The battle for black voters, which has ramped up in recent days, could decide the outcome of the race, close watchers say. Apparently it has turned into quite a competitive race between Emanuel and Garcia, which will culminate on April 7 runoff has divided African Americans.
However on Wednesday Emanuel attended the African American Women for Rahm luncheon in the South Loop at midday and was met by some 1500 of the city’s most powerful Black women. If they represented symbolically a representation of the Black vote then Rahm is a definite winner. He also picked up the endorsement of a state lawmaker who railed against the Mayor and the Police Superintendent over the violence in Chicago. State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-5th Dist.) now says Mayor Emanuel is a better listener and the man for the job.
As the mayoral candidates continue to jockey for the Black vote Emanuel and Garcia continue the busy campaign for Chicago’s Mayoral runoff election now just six days off. The candidates continue to pick-up momentum.
The Mayor also picked up the endorsement of a state lawmaker who railed against the Mayor and the Police Superintendent over the violence in Chicago. State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-5th Dist.) now says Mayor Emanuel is a better listener and the man for the job.
On the other side of town, in Norwood Park on the Northwest Side, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia met with a very friendly crowd. Over coffee, Garcia repeated his talking points on education and mass transit. He also talked about property taxes and explained how he can increase revenue by making sure the assessed value of downtown property is a true value, and not negotiated down by lobbyists.
Polls show Emanuel’s approval among African American voters has improved as election day gets closer. The Chicago Defender and WVON radio teamed up and polled Black in Chicago with results supporting Emanuel in larger numbers than ‘Chuy”.
We’ll see
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