Rahm Emanuel, who once served as White House chief of staff and later as mayor of Chicago, said Wednesday that he is weighing a presidential bid for 2028 on the Democratic ticket, citing a lack of strong contenders in the current party landscape.
In an interview with Crain’s Chicago Business, Emanuel stated: “’Of course’ it’s fair to say he’s considering running for president, declared Rahm Emanuel, hands for the moment neither waving nor pointing but resting on the table. ‘I’m looking at the (Democratic) field and, most importantly, what I have to contribute.’”
Emanuel gained national prominence for orchestrating the Democratic Party’s strategic victories in the 2006 midterm elections, promoting centrist candidates in competitive districts to attract disillusioned Republican voters, particularly those upset over the Iraq War.
During his time as chief of staff to President Obama, Emanuel was instrumental in launching the administration’s aggressive progressive initiatives—even as many Americans were more concerned about the economic downturn. He summed up the administration’s philosophy in a now-famous quote to the Wall Street Journal: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
Still, Emanuel expressed reservations about the administration’s push for sweeping health care reform. He advised a more measured path, but his suggestions were dismissed. Obamacare ultimately passed, triggering political backlash that fueled the emergence of the Tea Party and cost Democrats control of the House in 2010.
Before the fallout from that political wave, Emanuel exited the White House and campaigned for the mayorship of Chicago. His time in office was contentious, marked by disputes with the teachers’ unions and rising tensions with the early Black Lives Matter movement. His abrasive style and sharp tongue earned him a reputation for being difficult to work with, limiting his ability to form lasting alliances.
In recent years, Emanuel has sought to rebrand himself as a centrist voice within a Democratic Party that continues to lean left, even as it faces electoral setbacks.
After a stint as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Emanuel is once again seeking opportunity amid political disarray—this time, stepping into what he sees as a leadership void within the Democratic field.
He is the first figure to openly express interest in entering the 2028 race. His background suggests he could tap into significant fundraising networks, particularly from Wall Street, due in part to his past role on the board of Freddie Mac before the financial collapse. However, his past political baggage and the party’s current ideological climate could present steep obstacles. Emanuel may find himself out of step with a base that has shifted dramatically in recent years.

{Matzav.com}