HA HA – Rahm is booted from ballot

24Jan/118

HA HA – Rahm is booted from ballot

I just couldn't wait to post this.

The Illinois Appellate Court has tossed mayoral frontrunner Rahm Emanuel off the ballot, reversing the decision of a lower court.

The Appellate Court reached a 2-1 decision to remove Emanuel.

Appellate judges Thomas Hoffman and Shelvin Louise Marie Hall ruled against Emanuel. Justice Bertina Lampkin voted in favor of keeping President Obama’s former chief of staff on the Feb. 22 ballot.

“It’s a surprise,” said Kevin Forde, the attorney who argued on Emanuel’s behalf.

Opponents have been trying to get Emanuel removed on the grounds that he did not reside in Chicago for a year before the upcoming February election. He moved to Washington, D.C., two years ago to work for President Barack Obama.

But Emanuel’s legal team has argued that he always intended to return to Chicago, noting that he maintained ownership of his Ravenswood home.

The Appellate Court concluded that Emanuel’s claims of intent to return were not enough.

Maybe he spoke too soon on the pensions thing, and that's what got him.

Coverage from the NYT.

I bet the leftie blogs are rubbing their hands in glee over this.

Meep

Meep is a member of the Irish Catholic mafia, having a suspiciously high number of green-eyed, red-haired friends. While she doesn’t have red hair herself [except when she goes into the sun (rare for any vampire)], she does have green eyes. She’s a raving Papist and is a life actuary on the side [i.e., she counts dead people]. An amateur pain-in-the-ass [willing to go pro!], she likes covering retirement, mortality, math, and education issues.

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Bob Reed
January 24th, 2011 - 14:07

I was just in the process of putting something up myself.

And I agree completely with your quip that Rahm may have been a bit too outspoken for the “machine’s” liking when it came to the public pension issue.

It will be interesting to see how the Illinois supreme court rules on this.

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- Meep
  January 24th, 2011 - 14:23
  
  I knew it would be a race for who posted first.
  
  Jeez, Rahm, don’t push your luck! The money is gone! Take this as an unexpected gift!
  
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jefferson101
January 24th, 2011 - 15:39

It figures that they’d rule that way on a Monday. The level of schadenfreuid I’m experiencing should be accompanied by a few celebratory drinks, but I have to get up and come back to work tomorrow morning.

(That’s where I am now, FWIW.)

Oh, well. I can still smile.

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Tom Bennett
January 25th, 2011 - 11:06

I had the opportunity to grab a few beers with Rob Halpin (aka – Rahm’s tenant) this past Friday afternoon at a River North restaurant. Our meeting took place after several phone conversations and emailed correspondence in recent weeks.

Upon receiving the play-by-play of Rob Halpin’s version of the Landlord/Tenant relationship, I am beyond “shocked” that Rahm could not find common ground with Halpin – a guy who puts together “win-win’s” for a living for the past 20+ years.

The very telling irony and perspective that Halpin shared with me is that Halpin floated a couple different “settlement” scenarios to Rahm corresponding with Rahm’s wishes to “break” a fully-negotiated contract.

From Halpin’s perspective, it was a conversation and negotiation that Rahm wished to establish with Haplin. Halpin is perfectly content performing to the Letter of the Agreement he previously negotiated and executed with Rahm.

In fact, after Rahm’s attorneys proved to be an ineffectual “buffer” between Rahm and Halpin – Rahm began calling Halpin directly to negotiate a settlement.

Rahm’s counter offer to Halpin >>>

Two (2) months free rent to the Halpin family as economic consideration (and incentive) to both terminate their executed contract, and to offset the relocation expenses associated with an unanticipated move as well as other inconveniences involved with relocating a 7th grader during a school year?

To this day, Rob Halpin is shocked that Rahm couldn’t structure and memorialize a “win-win” as Rahm’s proposed 2-month rent abatement offer is hardly an “equitable” or an “incentivizing offer” to present toward motivating a tenant to “tear-up” an executed (and negotiated) contract.
Further, while Rahm is personally proposing a 2-month rent abatement offer — the mainstream media is reporting that Rahm is raising “loads-of-cash” at Hollywood & Big Money Funders knowing full well that he has a pending legal hurdle to remedy re: legal residency?

To this end, let’s speculate for a moment that Rahm and Halpin were to able to agree-upon a $50,000 to $100,000 “buy-out” of Halpin’s remaining lease term. Under this scenario, Rahm would have most likely been living back at his Ravenswood property by now – the property that Rahm decided to convert from a single-family dwelling to a Schedule-E rental property the moment Rahm “executed a lease” with Halpin.

Instead, Rahm has been renting from Howard Tullman for the past few months simply because Rahm couldn’t establish common ground with Rob Halpin to get-a-deal done regarding a HYPER-IMPORTANT requirement for establishing legitimate legal residency?

Here’s where this entire residency matter gets both juicy and totally absurd…according to Halpin, within the past couple of weeks, Anthony Licatta, a Managing Partner at Shefsky & Froelich, informed Rob Halpin that the word-on-the-street-amongst-in-the-know-attorneys is that Rahm Emanuel has rung-up a legal bill with Mayer Brown & Rowe; Michael Kasper, Esq., et al, to the tune of $2,000,000 (and possibly more) exclusively related to researching and litigating the legality involved with Rahm’s residency matter.

$2,000,000?!?!?!

Provided there is veracity to Rahm’s legal tab being in the ballpark of $2,000,000….I have the following questions for Rahm and Rahm’s advisers:

1). Who is picking-up Rahm’s legal tab for Mayer Brown Rowe and other high-priced legal counsel related specifically to the residency issue?

2). How does Rahm “reconcile” presenting an absurd, low-ball-offer of 2-months rent abatement (presumably funded with his personal money), meanwhile, Rahm runs-up a $2,000,000 legal tab (presumably funded by his campaign funders) solely because Rahm refuses to negotiate with Halpin?

3). Has Rahm disclosed to his funders — specifically Donald Trump, David Geffen, Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg as well as countless smaller funders — that Rahm is running-up 7-figure legal bills simply because Rahm doesn’t know how to negotiate?

4). Who on God’s-Green-Earth has been advising Rahm to date? If its been a combination of Axelrod, Forrest Claypool & Pete Giangreco — now I understand why The White House is so f__ked-up! I mean seriously, there is nothing even remotely equitable about how Rahm & Company “jammed-thru” ObamaCare with limited-to-zero “give-and-take” with Congress. We’ll have chaos in the City of Chicago if Rahm tried to steamroll the various and diverse constituencies throughout Chicago.

5). It appears that Rahm has been taking “diplomacy” and “fiduciary responsibility” classes from Marty “Pay-to-Play” Nesbitt. How is Rahm not violating his fiduciary to his funders with his profound lack of good judgment re: the Halpin negotiation?

6). Does Rahm understand that he is not Richard M. Daley or Richard J. Daley?

7). With the lack-of-leadership and lack-of-common sense that Rahm demonstrated during the Halpin negotiation, and during ObamaCare legislation, how is Rahm going to manage City Hall? Via steamroll?

8). Rahm….respectfully and candidly, are you a goof, or just simply a Gangster Politician? I presume you’re the latter. On the couple of brief occasions I’ve met you – most recently outside the Beverly Starbucks – you appeared congenial. What gives?

Lastly, below is an email I forwarded to Rob Halpin who has been including me on his, sometimes witty, distribution email updates.

On this note, if Rahm were to solicit my advice, I would highly-encourage Rahm to consider gracefully withdrawing in lieu of waging a political fight with the Illinois State Supreme Court. Simply put, there is “profound strength” in demonstrating sound judgment and humility via a graceful exit. Further, the remaining 3+ weeks will allow our local media to focus upon reporting upon the serious issues facing the City amongst the remaining candidates.

There is profound strength in humility and good judgment.

Sincerely,

TRB

——————–
Thomas R. Bennett
Thomas Bennett Limited
& Bennett Real Estate Partners
312.636.3662 (mobile)
530.658.4830 (fax)

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans. Aim high in hope and work…..”

~ Daniel H. Burnham, American architect and co-author of “Plan of Chicago”.

————————–
To: “Rob Halpin”
To: Rob Halpin Email Distribution List
From: tomrbennett@yahoo.com
Re: Rob Halpin, current resident of Rahm Emanuel’s house, joins Mike McConnell to talk about the state appellate court’s ruling – WGN Radio
January 24, 2011 5:15 PM
—————————

Its a wonderful day to be an American when our Illinois Court System reinforces the relevance and importance of the Letter of the Law.

In the event Rahm Emanuel & Company attempt to lobby &/or engineer behind-the-scenes intimidation of Illinois State Supreme Court Justices, the overwhelming local and national perception will be that Rahm, Bill Daley and Obama are attempting to marginalize the Letter of Law and 135+ years of election law precedence in Illinois.

Simply put, there is no upside for Rahm, Daley & Obama to attempt to lobby & marginalize our legal system.

The Law is the Law.

I’d anticipate a graceful Emanuel exit from the race despite Emanuel’s initial reaction to today’s Appellate Court decision. Perhaps, Rahm can make a positive “first step” by “breaking bread” with Rob Halpin & his family.

Humility is a key component toward demonstrating sincere, empathic leadership. I presume Rob Halpin will be “receptive” to the concept of relocating his family if Rahm respectfully, and humbly requests the Halpin family to reconsider breaking their negotiated contract with Rahm.
Absent a termination option, I would hope that a commercial real estate deal guy like Halpin can negotiate an equitable termination fee.

Afterall, Halpin’s reputation as a deal guy, a negotiator and businessman are also at stake. What’s Halpin suppose to do….get steamrolled by a guy trying to play the heavy & political gangster?

If Rahm wants my vote in 2015…show me some humility and common sense. Don’t try to “bully” the Halpin family. Be a gentleman, a professional and a leader – find common ground with Halpin’s.

Secondly, there is no doubt in my mind that Rahm has an incredible roladex and relationships that are “key” to rebuilding our local economy in the City of Chicago.

We desperately need to diversify Chicago’s economic base beyond GSA-sponsored growth, and collections-company-sponsored growth.

I’d love to see Rahm demonstrate the sincere leadership and entreprenuership in Chicago’s business community and get active….as an entrepreneur and businessman.

THIS IS THE CITY THAT WORKS.

Does Rahm think his commercials and campaign propaganda are going to persuade the majority of registered Chicago voters?

Gimme a break.

Our local economy and national economy are hurting…BIGTIME! And Rahm thinks he’s going to steamroll his way to the 5th floor by marginalizing The Law?

I’d be “first-in-line” to present Rahm Emanuel with IMMEDIATE opportunities to leverage his experience and contacts to “create value & private industry-sponsored jobs” visa vi private investment in CHICAGO.
The broader story with today’s Appellate Court decision is the complicit participation of our local mainstream media of promoting an illegitimate Emanuel candidacy.

Instead of questioning Emanuel’s legitimacy and compliance with legal requirements – the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tonight, Sun-Times and Crain’s Chicago Business have been “ignoring” the importance of the Law in promoting an illegitimate Emanuel mayoral candidacy.

Lastly, please continue to keep me posted, and I want to personally thank you and your family for demonstrating the courage, perseverance, principle and common sense to stand-up to pervasive political corruption and media intimidation.

Private industry and entrepreneurship must reassert itself in re-establishing our local, regional and national economy.

I’ve grown tired of the ineffectual rhetoric from “empty suits” in our local, state and federal government.

We need to get back-to-basics as a City, State and as a Country.

God Bless the Halpin’s and God Bless America!

Sláinte,

TRB

——————–
Thomas R. Bennett
Thomas Bennett Limited
& Bennett Real Estate Partners
312.636.3662 (mobile)
530.658.4830 (fax)

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans. Aim high in hope and work…..”

~ Daniel H. Burnham, American architect and co-author of “Plan of Chicago”.

————————–
To: “Rob Halpin”
To: Rob Halpin Email Distribution List
From: philkath@aol.com
Re: Rob Halpin, current resident of Rahm Emanuel’s house, joins Mike McConnell to talk about the state appellate court’s ruling – WGN Radio
January 24, 2011 4:19 PM
————————–

bye bye Rahm…..

—–Original Message—–
From: Rob Halpin
To: Rob Halpin Email Distribution List
Sent: Mon, Jan 24, 2011 4:15 pm
Subject: Rob Halpin, current resident of Rahm Emanuel’s house, joins Mike McConnell to talk about the state appelate court’s ruling – WGN Radio

Enjoy. Never give in to these types. If he wants the mayor’s job, he cango to Tel Aviv, where he should have sent my wife and me for the past four months to hide out.

http://www.wgnradio.com/wgnam-mike-mcconnell-uncut-rob-halpin-rahm-emanuel-removed-from-ballot-012411,0,7424511.mp3file

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Tom Bennett
January 25th, 2011 - 12:10

What in the World are Obama, Daley & Valerie Jarrett thinking?

Poor, poor, poor calculation.

Poor, poor, poor leadership.

Where are the Obama Administration’s priorities?

Now the US President’s surrogates are going to attempt to intimidate the Illinois Supreme’s?

Gimme a break.

TRB

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Obama-to-the-Rescue-114569939.html?dr

Obama to the Rescue?

President Barack Obama top political adviser Valerie Jarrett said Tuesday that the president thinks Rahm Emanuel belongs back on the ballot.

“I think that [Obama] believes that [Emanuel] is eligible, and that he believes that Rahm will pursue his appeal in the courts,” Jarrett, a senior adviser to Obama and fellow Chicagoan said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The former chief-of-staff was bounced from the Chicago mayoral ballot Monday in a surprise decision by the Illinois Appellate Court.

Jarrett said she doesn’t think they’ll be able to keep Emanuel down for long.

“You know Rahm, he’s going to appeal vigorously,” Jarrett said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “And I’m sure that you’ll see that happen right away.”

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Danger
January 25th, 2011 - 17:49

“I think that [Obama] believes that [Emanuel] is eligible,…”

Obviously, the Illinois Appellate Court acted stupidly. Didn’t they get the memo? Afterall, Obama is supreme judge of all things stupid and constitutional.

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snaqwells
January 25th, 2011 - 18:27

Stay has been granted.

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fishman
January 26th, 2011 - 08:48

The Black Swan will get his way in the end. It is Chicago after all.

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