CHICAGO (AP) — Even in President Barack Obama’s hometown, they had hoped for more.
Obama will be stumping for Senate candidate and basketball buddy Alexi Giannoulias on Thursday in Chicago, a city where every other person crossing the street seems to have a story about descending on Grant Park that historic night of the 2008 election or proudly watching the president take the oath on television.
But nearly two years after Obama took office, while the president remains widely popular in the city, his image has slipped a bit as many people wonder where the promised change and jobs are, even if they believe such talk is probably a bit unfair.
“I talk to people, you know, who thought he would just have a magic wand,” said Ira Acree, a pastor on the city’s South Side, where Obama worked as a community organizer, taught law and still has a house.
Across the city this week, many Chicagoans acted a bit defensive or protective of Obama, who considers Chicago home despite being born in Hawaii. Obama has only visited a handful of times since he left for the White House, but his adopted hometown seems more willing to give him a pass than other places around the nation.
“They want him to succeed, unlike some places where they want him to fail,” said Abner Mikva, a veteran political figure in Chicago, where’s he been a Democratic congressman, federal appeals judge and political mentor to Obama. “Because he’s ours.”
Around Illinois, which leans strongly Democratic, Obama’s approval ratings have fallen in some polls — to 51 percent from 59 percent a year ago, according to a Tribune/WGN-TV survey in September.
But he still has drawing power for fellow Democrats. While Obama won’t visit his former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, who left the White House last week to run for mayor, both Gov. Pat Quinn and Giannoulias will appear with him, hoping some of his star power can translate into votes in the November election.
One after another, residents said that in Chicago expectations were simply too high, that there was no way Obama could accomplish what they had hoped he would.
“They thought he would come in and all those long repressed desires of progressive folks would come true, that passage (of bills) would be easy and would be a matter of introducing the bills,” said David Fagus, the Democratic committeeman for the 49th ward on the city’s North Side.
Nowhere was that more true than in the black community.
Laverne Mangum, whose “Yes, Yes, Yes,” could be heard over the other cheering Chicagoans who packed themselves into a restaurant the day of the inauguration, said some of her friends seemed to expect the change would come almost before they paid their tabs that day and walked outside.
“Being the first black president, most black people thought he was going to turn everything around (and) everything would be better for the underprivileged, the black people,” Mangum said. “The expectations were really big.”
The 66-year-old retiree, who defended Obama and said he’s doing “the best job that he can do,” said her friends may be onto something when pointing out the lack of jobs that still exist under Obama.
“He could have done more …” she said. “He helped the banks, but what about jobs?”
Jason Rupp, 38, a software developer, applauded the president’s ability to push through health care legislation, but suggested that battle distracted him from efforts to turn around the economy.
“I’d like to see him more focused on jobs, said Rupp, who voted for Obama.
Obama also has disappointed some in the city’s Hispanic community because of what they see as his unwillingness to push immigration reform, said Omar Lopez, the chair of the Chicago Latino Coalition.
“They expected him to really bring change and they haven’t seen it,” he said.
There‘s even a bit of grumbling over Obama’s comments about the city‘s fledgling mayor’s race, which is suddenly wide open thanks to Mayor Richard Daley‘s announcement last month that he won’t run for re-election to a seventh term.
Some residents didn‘t appreciate Obama’s comments last month that then-chief of staff Rahm Emanuel would “be a terrific mayor.”
“They want to know why he’s talking about a local race,” said 19th ward commiteeman Matt O’Shea, a supporter of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, a potential mayoral candidate.
At the same time, Chicagoans offer something to Obama that may be in shorter supply in other parts of the country: understanding.
“There‘s a lot of feeling that the one thing that has just made it so much more difficult is the Republican leadership’s decision to absolutely dig in and say ‘No’ to everything,” said Dawn Clark Netsch, a prominent Chicago Democrat who once served as state comptroller and ran unsuccessfully for governor.
“Obviously (Republicans) want the leadership back and this is one way of getting it,” added Bettylu Saltzman, a Democratic donor perhaps best known in the city for predicting to friends, including David Axelrod, that a young man she‘d met in 1992 named Barack Obama would be the country’s first black president.
While many Chicagoans are quick to say they’re willing to give Obama more time, that doesn‘t mean he’s not on the clock.
“I don’t know, we’ll see,” said Rupp, when asked if he’d vote for Obama again. But, he said, “I’m rooting for him, that’s for sure.”
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Comments (67)
belleharbor
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:32amObama is a faliure only as to running a country he is ok for giving away lemonaid but not supporting it with cups water lemonaid mis and ice all this guy can do is take a finished product and give it away it can be money or anything.give back VOTE 2010 NOV
Report Post »Svt4Him
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:31amNo one wants him to fail, they want him to stop being a jackass.
Report Post »southsik
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:41amNo offense meant because I believe you really think your statement is true. Sheesh have you been reading this websites forum? I think nearly %100 of its users feel he is much more than just a failure. Christ, calling him a jackass is giving him kudos.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:28amSure they did…….more food stamps, more welfare, more tax payer paid penisons, more stolen money for their politicians, more money for marxist groups, more black peoples payback…uhmmm yep they want a new house, new car, college education with out taking SATS…uhmmm
Report Post »tradexpertbuysell
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:26amChicago wake up! In your quest for wordly answers you’ve struck a deal with the prince of the earth and not your Creator. If your quest had been for heavenly answers your eyes might have been opened to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness/Property!
Instead you chose Death, Slavery, and Misery/Desolation! But perhaps in the blaze it is best that your eyes will never be opened so that you will never be healed. It is never too late to change. Real change! But will you?
To be continued.
Report Post »chrisser
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:11am“There‘s a lot of feeling that the one thing that has just made it so much more difficult is the Republican leadership’s decision to absolutely dig in and say ‘No’ to everything,” said Dawn Clark Netsch, a prominent Chicago Democrat who once served as state comptroller and ran unsuccessfully for governor.
Democrats hold the presidency. Democrats have solid majorities in both houses of Congress.
Unless the Republicans are filibustering Obama’s pet bills, there’s little, if anything, Republicans can do to stop the agenda. Yet he’s still failing miserably.
Perhaps Obama, Pelosi and Reid are too radical even for a plurality of their own party in Congress.
Report Post »RESTOREVALUES
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:59amyes chrisser your right obama is the perfect example of failed leadership.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:10amI think it would be great if Obama would quit his job and run for mayor of Chi-town himself!!
http://www.josephfawcettart.com *(western artist)
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:53amThat‘s one of the very best suggestions I’ve heard!!!! He couldn’t hurt America much from Chicago. LOL
Report Post »printdesignchicago.com
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:09amillinois is probably the most corrupt place i’ve ever lived. pay to play was perfected here. unions are so entrenched here nothing gets done without them getting some piece of the pie. it’s like mafia extortion.
years of idiocy from the mayor’s office is unlikely to stop. two former governors (and probably more) and scores of politicians are being arrested for corruption and it’s just the tip of the iceberg,
if you want to witness what democrats can do – check out illinois, and chicago most of all.
5 1/2 more months and i am out of this has-been, could have been city. :D
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 8:43pmI guess the folks in Chicago expected Obama to be like Mayor Daley. He (Daley) has basically done as he pleases without so much as a slap on the wrist for any wrongdoing.
Report Post »jcteaman
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:05amsorry guys we dont want him springfield is sick of oboma ANTI BUISNESS ANTI AMERICAN SUEING YOUR OWN STATES DONT GET IT
Report Post »southsik
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:04amYou know I have this festering feeling that these people in Chicago have known all along the whole idea is to get Obama in to change the Nation into a Socialist/Communist Country for a LONG time. I think they have possible been laughing at the nation most of these people. Maybe I am wrong but I find it strange that even now people still talk about Obama as if he is JUST a failed President. You do not fess up to the concept of Treason. Why?
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:35pmCan ANYONE from Chicago explain what their understanding of the word
“HOPE ” was when Obama said “ hope and change ” ?
What exactly were they hoping for ?
Can ANYONE from Chicago explain what their understanding of the word
“CHANGE ” was when Obama said “ hope and change ” ?
What exactly were they hoping would change ?
I ask these questions of Chicagoans because they know and have lived Obama’s contributions and work experience …what was it that made them say …” dang he’s done such a good job of ———in Chicago that it must be done on a national level ”
Report Post »????
SilentReader
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:26pmIt’ll take a lot to pull their Obot blinders off. Don’t count on it. They still think he’s the Messiah.
Maybe they‘ll believe he isn’t all that he‘s been cracked up to be when they turn their lights out because they couldn’t pay their utility bills or when he‘s sucked up all their money out of their savings accounts and IRA’s and put a chip in their foreheads.
Hey, their Messiah still has a few months to go to work his big government magic.
Report Post »Rita
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:20pmI think most Americans who voted for Obama didn’t realize the extent of his Progressive ideology. They didn’t know they were voting for a president who views America as the bad guy that must be economically weakened so other countries can have the wealth. His campaign was based on lies and gimic and we bought it. He says one thing and consistantly does the opposite. I think we all know what it means now when a presidental candidate’s runs on redistribution of wealth is good for the country.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:29amToo many didn’t think at all!! The financial “CRISIS” scared them, and they were angry. Obama sounded like a Saviour and they just jumped into the boat with him not knowing what on earth was in that boat. I didn’t know what he was either–everytime I saw him there was like a subliminal message saying “deceit, deceit, deceit”. Wish “Roots of Obama’s Rage” had come out sooner–I would have spent less time trying to understand what the heck he was doing. Don‘t know if D’Souza is 100% correct, but he makes more sense than anything else I have seen. NOTE TO VOTERS: There are no SAVIOURS on earth from right or left–only lots of hard work and diligence from all of us.
Report Post »VJ
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:14pmIts all W’s fault!
Report Post »KL
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:09pmMaybe they haven’t read the book, The Root of Obamas Rage, nor do they watch Glen Beck. If they did those two things, they wouldn’t be defending Obama.
Report Post »Ryan Beaulieu
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:05pmI don’t know what any of you people are talking about. President Obama has given me a tremendous amount of Hope and Change. He has given me the hope that the Tea Party will rise to power and change this country back to its founding principals and not move toward Socialistic policies and view points. Lets vote the these members of congress out of office who aren’t serving the American people this November and when 2012 comes around Obama can move back into his home in Chicago and be with his fellow Chicagoans again.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:04pmOnce again the political machine of DC demonstrates that PT Barnum is right “There is a sucker born every minute.” Well, the majority of America did elect him, now we must vote him and the rest of his Progressives, Socialists, Communists, and the Monopolistic Labor Unions out of the DC and get the real people of America back into there.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:10pmPT Barnum. Props to the BPT.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:00pmIt always saddens me when I see anyone antwhere making a comment baaed upon what is quite obviously a “color” line.
Report Post »I’m a conservitive, who doesn’t like my current president (or his predisessor) because of his administrations lack of care for what is America. I could care less if he was green, I wouldn’t care if he was orange, I do care for my country. I care for what makes us great, Barack Obama does not. And it is for his “action of uncaring” that I dislike him.
DMD
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:56pmObama for Chicago Mayor.
Guess Chicago missed the message. There is no hope in the dope”
Report Post »rstarce
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:55pmHe promised all the so-called victims in America, hope and change. I don’t know what they thought that meant, probably more free stuff. I don’t know what all the excitement was for some in Chcago about healthcare, they have Medicaid, that’s free health insurance. They have home subsidies, food stamps, grants, loans to buy $500K homes with no job, what could this man possibly have given them?
Report Post »2
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:04pmThat in 100% right on the head. What the heck were they thinking? More free stuff? That’s sick with everything they already get.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:42pmProseros the rotten carcass of a butt has failed to present any statistics to contridict Obamas fact that he wants democrats to remain on voting records so that black people know who to vote for – the democrats.
Report Post »2
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:42pmAll show and no go like a Mexicans car.
Report Post »wleeblake
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:40pmThats what they thought, I aint gotta pay my rent,car payment,Obama gonna save us all.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:35pmObama is good at wrecking stuff. 18 months to destroy the greatest country on earth has got to be some kind of record.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:09pmOver promise and underdeliver. Out of business soon.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 3:36amExcuse me but Bush had pretty much destroyed America before Obama ever got in office. You can have the right to your opinion but you can’t make up your own facts. In fact, Obama stopped our recession and the job loses from the steady decline it was one.. Without some of the proposals he got passed, we would probably have gone off the cliff. http://wp.me/pYLB7-bg
HKS
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 3:23pmWell, since bush and obama are working for the same guy I suppose their results would be somewhat similar. As far a falling off the cliff that is still coming and I would prefer to have my wallet a little fatter to cushion the blow. At least we would know where we are.
Report Post »SaraGolden
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:33pmObama ran with one or two tag lines… Hope. Change…. Blah-blah-blah… people expected something from him? He’s black, I thought that was enough for most of the country… apparently things have changed since 2008…
FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:40pmIma git me dat Obama money.
Report Post »diesel71dan
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:40pmToo bad they didn’t even bother to ask “what change?” Would someone please explain to them that HOPE is NOT a valid game plan!!!
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 10:33pmGood , they can have him back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Marc Jacobs
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 11:07pm“Obama will be stumping for Senate candidate and basketball buddy Alexi Giannoulias on Thursday in Chicago, a city where every other person crossing the street seems to have a story about descending on Grant Park that historic night of the 2008 election or proudly watching the president take the oath on television.” I LIVE IN CHICAGO…. I MUST BE ONE OF THOSE OTHER PEOPLE!
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:26amPlease, NO, we don’t want him back! Although I encourage him to enjoy Hawaii for the remainder of his years.
Report Post »Thank God the parasites in Chicago are disappointed about not being lead further into the giant government handout agenda they thought they were voting for. Downstate Illinois has been bleeding out of the huge wound we call Chicago and we like it to stop.
RobertCA
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:07amWell @ least you got Emanuel back :)
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