Rahm for mayor? Could happen, say political strategists.
Despite the fact that Mayor Daley hasn't indicated he's won't be running again, there's speculation that President Obama's Chief of Staff is eyeing a future campaign as Chicago's mayor.
According to Sally Quinn at the Washington Post, Rahm hasn't fired White House social secretary Desiree Rogers despite renewed Crashergate concerns because he needs her should he run for mayor.
"Emanuel, the most political animal in this town, also should understand that keeping Rogers on as social secretary reflects upon the president's judgment," writes Quinn. "It's possible that he has other considerations. Emanuel is said to have told people that the chief-of-staff role is an 18-month job and that he is considering a run for mayor of Chicago. And Rogers is a major social and political player in the Windy City."
A member of Rahm's staff says it's not true -- he's one hundred percent focused on his current job.
But others speculate that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan -- who decided against a Senate and Governor's race -- may jump into the fray as well.
"That would be a battle of two heavy weights," says strategist Peter Giangreco.
