 |
| Will we someday have to see Rahm … |
Being
a “commentator” allows them to keep portraying themselves as some sort of
expert on whatever it is they’re interested in – without having to carry out
any of the actual responsibilities.
OR
HAVING TO go through the hassles of continually getting themselves re-elected
to office!
Think
about it? We’re now forevermore going to see Luis Gutierrez as the outspoken
critic of our national immigration policy, while Rahm Emanuel will portray himself
for as long as he wishes as Chicago’s “mayor.”
No
matter how much the thought of those two men in those positions stirs up levels
of contempt and disgust, we’ll always now think of them as “congressman” and “mayor”
no matter what it is they really do in life.
These
thoughts popped into my head when, on Monday, Gutierrez felt compelled to
release a statement saying he’s now a part of CNN. He’ll be someone they can
put on the air to talk about immigration policy and the Puerto Rican population
of our nation.
 |
| … and Luis speak out … |
IN
SHORT, THE man who during his two-plus decades in Congress portrayed himself as
“Mr. Puerto Rico” himself any time a related issue came up on Capitol Hill can
now go about portraying himself as the ultimate expert.
Those
of us who remember back even further when he was a City Council member
bellowing about like a crowing rooster (giving him the nickname “El Gallito”)
will find act old – if not downright repetitive.
Yet
the rest of the nation is going to get his share of the act. Particularly the
ideologues who often will find themselves on the receiving end of whatever admonishment
Gutierrez feels to dish out at any given time.
It
assures that even though Gutierrez ceased to be a Congressman last week, he’ll continue
to be heard. Personally, I’m waiting for the moment Gutierrez successor Rep.
Jesus Garcia, D-Ill., does something that Luis considers to be a screw-up.
 |
| … on our television sets? |
I
HAVE NO doubt the rhetoric will be ugly – in both English en Español.
Not
that it will be any more pretty when Rahm Emanuel finally steps down as mayor
come May. For the talk is that brother Ari, a professional talent agent in his
own right, already is doing the groundwork for Rahm to become one of the ranks
of professional commentators himself.
For
as a former member of Congress and White House aide under both Bill Clinton and
Barack Obama, he has a certain amount of issues and policy background. Combined
with his eight years as Chicago mayor, he may wind up trying to claim himself
as the expert on all sorts of things.
 |
| Could Garcia be blasted by Luis and Rahm? |
Maybe
he can even develop a personality of sorts that would allow him to be declared
an unofficial “mayor” of the nation – someone who can forevermore be thought of
as having an expertise. Even on issues upon which he knows absolutely nothing.
THAT
ACTUALLY WAS the niche Rudy Giuliani once held, as the symbolic “America’s
mayor” – at least until he became associated publicly with fellow New Yorker
Donald Trump and relegated himself to the niche of the crackpot’s protector.
 |
| Will Rahm replace Rudy as 'America's mayor?' |
Is
the nation ready for Rahm; to speak out at his own will on whatever he thinks
interesting? Anybody who tries claiming Rahm doesn’t have Rudy’s stature is
engaging in crackpot rhetoric of their own – both men served as mayors of their
respective cities for eight years.
But
every time they appear on television, we get reminded of their stints – and many
of us may wind up thinking they’re still in office doing great things; instead
of merely blathering about on various issues that they had little to actually
do with.
Which
almost has me wondering if the greater point of running for electoral office is
to gain the years of experience so that, one day, one can claim the legitimacy
so they can someday go on television and have people think they used to “be
somebody.”
-30-
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