"The Next King?"

I still remember the early black and white commercials on television touting Richard J. Daley for Mayor of Chicago. It seemed that he would always be the mayor. No challenger was ever seriously considered; Richard J. Daley would be Mayor as long as he wanted to be the Mayor. He was also head of the Cook County Board, no one since has held both positions; he was the most powerful Democrat in the United States. The "Boss" died of a heart attack in his office on December 20, 1976. A stunned city had real disbelief; Mayor Daley couldn't be dead. Deputy Mayor Michael Bilandic took office; he looked like a deer in the headlights when he assumed the "big chair". With the help of Dan Rostenkowski, Roman Pucinkski and other Democrat power brokers, Bilandic ran the giant political machine. Poor handling of snow removal during a blizzard that halted the city caused Bilandic to be deposed by Jane Byrne, the first woman to hold this powerful office. Jane held the office until Harold Washington took over after a victory over Republican, Bernie Epton: he was the comic relief, as no Republican has ever had a real chance to win any important election in Cook County. Only in Chicago could a man who was convicted of tax fraud be elected mayor; so Harold was a "shoe-in". Harold passed the same way as "Boss Daley"; a massive heart attack in his office.

The next man to hold this office was Richard M. Daley; that's correct, son of the legendary "Boss". It was as if the "torch had been passed" to the rightful heir to the "throne". Ritchie Daley has been the mayor for more than 20 years, and like his father, he could retain this office as long as he wants it.

Two days ago the unthinkable happened; Ritchie Daley announced his retirement from office at the end of his current term. This is stirring up political conjecture all across the Democrat powerbase. Who can fill the seat of the strongest Democratic political machine in the United States? "Da Boss" is said to be the one who put Illinois "in the bag" for Jack Kennedy, giving Kennedy the victory and the Presidency.

The most prominent name mentioned thus far is White House staffer, Rahm Emanuel. He has said in the past that he wants to be Mayor of Chicago. I find it odd that man who comes from an administration that began by preaching reform would want to take control of this most traditional of political machines.

Another name I am sure we will hear is Jesse Jackson, Jr.: he has talked about the Mayor's job on several occasions. He would be a formidable opponent for Emanuel to face and has a real chance of winning the election. I am sure Jesse's dad would throw his powerful influence behind his son.

No matter who will occupy the Mayor's seat in the future, Chicago will be forever changed. I doubt that any mortal will ever hold the power of either of the "Daleys". Perhaps there is an outside chance of weakening the machine politics that have made Chicago so "different" than many other major cities. No matter what happens, this will be a great show to watch. All I can say is, "GOOD LUCK, CHICAGO"; YOU WILL NEED IT!