Mayor Emanuel Makes 1st Appearance Before Illinois Delegation at DNC


Largely absent from proceedings at the Democratic National Convention so far, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday appeared before the Illinois delegation at a breakfast event on the convention’s final day.

He spoke about the presidential race before a crowd of delegates and supporters that was smaller than in days past, as late nights and all-day events have taken their toll.

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“The choice could not be more stark,” Emanuel told the assembled crowd. “We need to carry the torch forward all the way until November.”

After the speech, Emanuel responded to the flak he’s received from his appearance in Wednesday night’s video that introduced President Barack Obama’s speech at the DNC. In it, a narrator recounts the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and how Emanuel, then Obama’s chief of staff, advised against it.

“You’re going to have to pull the bill because, if you push this legislation, you will lose in 2020,” Emanuel is quoted as saying in the video.

Critics immediately took to Twitter, including MSNBC personality Chris Hayes:


To his credit, Emanuel has mentioned the story of his opposition to working on the Affordable Care Act several times in speeches and to the media, joking that he’s glad the president chose not to take his advice.

“It’s been in books,” Emanuel said, shrugging off questions that he was thrown under the bus during the video Thursday night. “I’ve spoken about it, I said, ‘Thank God he didn’t take my advice. I said, ‘Go for financial reform first.’ He asked for my advice. When he made his decision, I executed the votes to get health care done. That’s the job of chief of staff.”

Emanuel was also asked about his diminished role on the national political stage, in the wake of sagging approval ratings back home. Four years ago, he gave a speech at the DNC. Not so this year.

“A lot of people don’t have speaking roles, don’t worry about it,” Emanuel said, noting that he spent Wednesday night at the convention with former President Bill Clinton, will meet with him again Thursday and will sit for Thursday night’s address on the floor with the Illinois delegation.

Emanuel refused to answer questions about the Obama’s decision to locate the presidential library and museum in Jackson Park over Washington Park, a decision that was not supposed to be made official until next week.

“There will soon be a formal decision,” Emanuel said. “I don’t go before the president of the United States. Either way, Chicago beat out New York.”

Thursday morning’s appearance comes after Emanuel hosted a late-night bash in West Philadelphia called “Chicago Rockin’ Blues,” attended by a mix of politicos. It was notable for the attendance of some who have been vocal critics of the mayor, including Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward), and Troy LaRaviere, the head of the Chicago Principals Association. LaRaviere has been fiery in his opposition to the mayor and claimed that CPS’ move to fire him from his previous job as principal of Blaine Elementary was politically motivated.

Emanuel is scheduled to appear for a one-on-one conversation on “Chicago Tonight” on Thursday evening from Philadelphia after Clinton’s acceptance speech.

Join “Chicago Tonight” for continued coverage of the Democratic National Convention all week.

Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz


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