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-- 37% approve of his job as mayor;
-- 47% disapprove; and
-- a record low 31% want him re-elected compared to 53% who don't.
Besides crime, corruption, and other issues, the weak economy is key. It forced budget cuts, staff reductions, mass teacher layoffs, and a record $655 million budget shortfall, a combination leaving all city politicians vulnerable and defensive. At least half a dozen aldermen won't run again, voter dissatisfaction affecting them like Daley.
In early 2010, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel expressed interest in the job, though never by challenging the incumbent, whom he served as strategist and fundraiser in his first campaign. He's now unencumbered, the UK Telegraph's Alex Spillius headlining on June 20, "Rahm Emanuel expected to quit White House," saying:
At issue are policy and style differences as well as burnout from the pressure of "one of the most high profile jobs in US politics," a leading Democrat consultant saying:
"Nobody thinks it's working but they can't get rid of him - that would look awful. He needs the right sort of job to go to but the consensus is he'll go."
Another insider expects he'll announce it after the November midterm elections that look grim for Democrats. "It is well known in Washington" that Emanuel often clashes with other administration officials, his abrasive style "rubb(ing) some people the wrong way," while struggling to smooth Obama's legislative program through Congress. "Every vote has been tough, from health care to energy to financial reform," and some have been stalled.
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