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

By Carol Felsenthal

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... Read more

Valerie Jarrett 'Dedicated Her Life' to the Obamas; Plus, More Details from Jodi Kantor's New Book

By Carol Felsenthal

Last week, I posted a Q&A with Jodi Kantor, author of The Obamas, a new book about the First Couple. Here is the final part of the interview, in which Kantor discusses Barack's time at Columbia University, Michelle's secret trips to Petco and Target, and key Chicago figures such as Valerie Jarrett and Desirée Rogers. Read more

Kantor on the First Family's Private Quarters, Encounters with Sasha and Malia, and Laura Bush's Tip for Michelle

By Carol Felsenthal

In 18 months of work, the New York Times correspondent conducted 200 interviews, many with high-level West Wing aides, and gained unprecedented access to the East Wing. Read more

Jodi Kantor Goes Inside the Obamas' Marriage in New Book

By Carol Felsenthal

INSIDE THE EAST WING: A new book pulls back the curtains on the First Couple Read more

Why Dorothy Brown Wants Another Term as Circuit Court Clerk

By Carol Felsenthal

The incumbent's race against 22nd Ward Alderman Rick Muñoz is the juiciest contest in the March 20 primary. Here, Brown talks about Muñoz, working for Arthur Andersen in the 1970s, her unsuccessful bid for Cook County Board president, and more... Read more

Republicans for Rahm? His Night at the Economic Club

By Carol Felsenthal

Rahm sold out the Hilton Chicago Hotel’s International Ballroom Monday for a speech before the Economic Club. On the dais surrounded by such captains of industry as Lester Crown, Thomas Wilson, Gregory Wasson, Glenn Tilton, the newish mayor started out shaky, occasionally flubbing his lines, his voice rising to resemble his predecessor’s. His reception by the black-tie members of the club and their guests, was chilly at first... Read more

Donald Trump Talks Blagojevich, Rahm, and Chicago

By Carol Felsenthal

In town to promote his new book, The Donald talks to Carol Felsenthal about his relationship with the Emanuel brothers, Blago on The Celebrity Apprentice, and more Read more

On Rod Blagojevich's Sentencing Day, Some Comparisons to Jim Thompson

By Carol Felsenthal

Rod Blagojevich will find out his fate this morning at his sentencing hearing for his conviction earlier this year on corruption charges. Here, Carol Felsenthal looks at some similiarities between Blago and another former Illinois gov. Read more

It's Time to Revisit the Issue of Taxpayer-Financed Bodyguards

By Carol Felsenthal

In the aftermath of Maggie Daley’s death on Thanksgiving night, the citizens of Chicago have shown just how much they valued and loved her. No doubt about that, but now is the time for Mayor Emanuel to revisit the dicey issue of taxpayer-funded bodyguards for political figures. Read more

Alderman Rick Muñoz on Dorothy Brown, Running for Clerk, and Texting with Rahm

By Carol Felsenthal

I asked Ricardo “Rick” Muñoz why an independent alderman who for 18 years has represented a surging Latino population—the heart of his 22nd ward is Little Village—wants to trade that job for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County... Read more

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