Chicago City Wire

Chicago's political landscape is shifting as Mayor Brandon Johnson faces increasing criticism, not only from opposition parties but also from fellow Democrats. Comments made by Johnson linking former Mayor Rahm Emanuel to current issues in the city have not resonated well with his peers or constituents.

Recently, Johnson criticized Emanuel, asserting that "the playbook that Donald Trump is running is a playbook that Emanuel executed in this city." He further accused Emanuel of having an "anti-Black, neoliberal" agenda and claimed that Emanuel once remarked that 25% of kids “won’t become anything.” These comments came during a press conference intended to address school funding issues.

Political strategist Peter Giangreco described Johnson's approach as creating a "false enemy" to divert attention from his own challenges. "When your approval rating is below 20%, I guess attacking someone else is how you try to pull yourself up," Giangreco said. Democratic strategist James Carville added, "Incompetent people are jealous of competent people," indicating that Johnson's criticisms might be an attempt to deflect from his administration's shortcomings.

Johnson’s efforts to shift the focus onto past administrations have not found favor among Democrats, who have instead drawn unfavorable comparisons to Emanuel’s past leadership. Emanuel, during his tenure, made difficult financial decisions that have since highlighted his leadership skills in contrast to the current administration. As Giangreco pointed out, "When Johnson makes the comparison to Emanuel, it just reminds people how much better the city ran under Emanuel."

With critics like Alderman Walter Burnett, once a supporter of Emanuel, acknowledging the previous mayor's accomplishments, Johnson faces an uphill battle in resolving the city's pressing issues while maintaining political support. This situation underscores challenges in Johnson's governance approach, with leadership questions rising among the city's Democratic circles.

This development reflects badly on Johnson, as Chicagoans question his leadership during a period of financial difficulty and high public sector costs, without clear solutions on the horizon.