Felsenthal Files

02/22/12

Dorothy Brown and Rick Muñoz Debate at 43rd Ward Forum

Exciting races in the upcoming March 20 primary are scarce, so the race for the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk between three-term incumbent Dorothy Brown and Ricardo Muñoz, alderman of the 22nd Ward since 1993 is, in relative terms, the Romney-Santorum fistfight of Cook County. Tuesday night, the two Dems appeared at a forum sponsored by the 43rd Ward Democrats and moderated by Andy Shaw...

Posted at 01:50 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

02/21/12

Rahm Leaves Susana Mendoza Twisting in the Wind on City Sticker Controversy

When I interviewed City Clerk Susana Mendoza last November, I sensed that there was tension between her and Rahm Emanuel. In the wake of Chicago’s city sticker controversy, I have been reminded of the strained relationship between the mayor and the clerk.

Posted at 03:08 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (8)

02/14/12

'Hostage' Sam LaHood—Will John McCain Negotiate His Release?

A source close to the senator told me this morning that McCain, who chairs the board of the International Republican Institute—Sam LaHood heads the Cairo office of that NGO—is “leading a congressional delegation” next week, visiting Egypt and other countries in the region. Will the Arizona senator emerge from the trip as a hero and statesman?...

Posted at 03:33 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (3)

02/13/12

David Hoffman Takes a Breather, but He'll Be Back

The former inspector general and public-service vet took a position at Sidley Austin, and a teaching gig at the University of Chicago, after losing to Alexi Giannoulias in 2010. But don't count him out of public service for good.

Posted at 06:00 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (3)

02/06/12

A Look at Sam LaHood, One of 19 Americans on Trial in Egypt

The third son of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Sam LaHood attended graduate school in Lebanon and was an advance man for John McCain's campaign in 2008...

Posted at 06:15 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

02/01/12

Chicago Ward Remap: A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?

The Latino community blasts Rahm Emanuel and the City Council for approving a ward remap that underrepresents minority constituents.

Posted at 02:40 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

01/23/12

Mark Kirk’s Sudden Health Scare—Some Background from His Ex-Wife

With Senator Mark Kirk in recovery following a three-hour surgery resulting from a weekend stroke, his ex-wife—whose amicable divorce from Kirk was finalized in 2009—described the 52-year-old junior senator as being “into politics, 500 percent,” and rarely slowing down to take care of himself...

Posted at 05:08 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (22)

01/17/12

What's Really Bothering Michelle Obama?

I just finished reading Jodi Kantor’s The Obamas, and I think I’ve figured out why Michelle Obama is so steamed, why she groused to The Early Show’s Gayle King that she is tired of being portrayed as “some kind of angry black woman.” The First Lady recognizes that her husband will probably run against Mitt Romney, and thus, she herself will be stuck “running” against the warm, blonde, seemingly flawless Ann Romney...

Posted at 01:00 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (7)

01/16/12

Bill Daley’s Battered Résumé

After resigning as Chief of Staff, Bill Daley's D.C. record takes another hit as the president announces that Daley's old department, Commerce, will be axed in the service of paring down the federal bureaucracy.

Posted at 12:49 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (2)

01/13/12

Obama's Shout-Out to Claire McCaskill—Will She Campaign with Him Again?

At a fundraiser in Chicago on Wednesday night, President Obama singled out the rookie Democrat from Missouri. "I just love her so whenever I have an excuse to see her I'm happy," he gushed. McCaskill's presence—and Obama's shout-out—is a sure sign that he is making a slight but real comeback...

Posted at 12:01 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (2)