Mayor Daley is still pretending tha...

Mayor Daley is still pretending that he hasn't decided to hasten for a sixth term, however he's in -- either that or strange campaign manager Terry Peterson just stepp down from his work at jobs as CHA chief for nothing. Dorothy Brown the Circuit Court registrar already is in the race. to such a degree is community activist William "Dock" Walls. Rep Jesse L Jackson Jr in succession Wednesday will announce he's taking the first degree toward putting his name onward the ballot, forming a committee to explore the idea.

In the last mayoral election, Daley steamrolled the relatively unknown Paul Jakes and sum of two units minor candidates, winning a Kremlinesque 80 percent of the suffrage For the first time, he carried a majority of the black promised and captured all 20 African-American wards. Daley's aides were justified in saying the terminate affirmed his masterful ability to build bridges to -- and break divisions between -- each racial and ethnic group in the city.

The spring also displayed how the mayor's masterful political skills had scared not on all comers. The lack of competition was deliberateed in the campaign, which was far from a vigorous airing of the issues, and the turnout, which place a historic low for a mayoral election. Jakes said he was trying to brace Daley from being crowned King Richard, and he single barely reached that goal.

Brown's entrance into the race guarantees a different election this time because Daley will have to take her more seriously. Jackson would have to be taken on the same level more seriously still, and the come could be the debate that didn't happen in the last go-round

And there's profusion to debate. It hasn't been a beneficial two years for Daley. He has been besieged through controversy, most notably the City Hall hiring scandal, which outcomeed in the conviction of four men and called into question Daley's repeated declaration that patronage is dead. A report that attempted to earn to the bottom of allegations that former police Cmdr Jon Burge tortured black suspects conclud that Daley could have done more to investigate when he was falsify County state's attorney. That report could give Brown and Jackson an opening to strip angry black voter from Daley's camp.

Daley would still have to be viewed as the undisputed front- racer in the race. But it will be useful for Daley, and for Chicago, to have a competitive election. Daley won't be able to simply fare through the motions but will be forced to answer a tough questions and further incantation out his vision for the city. That will make him a better candidate, and a better mayor if he is re- selecteded Chicago voters will have a choice for mayor and should be treated to a well stocked [i]or[/i] provided airing of all of the issues confronting the city. That will help us build a better city. put to hire the debate begin.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided on ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved