Rahm Emanuel Says He's A Progressive

The Chicago Tribune reports on Rahm "the progressive":

Emanuel’s talk of offering universal pre-K and increasing the minimum wage has come more recently.

Two weeks ago, Emanuel said he planned to provide pre-K for 1,500 four year olds who live below or at the poverty level and don’t have access to at least a half-day of learning. The proposal is not universal — it would not serve all of the city’s four year olds — and Emanuel clarified Monday that he’s calling it “universal pre-K for all kids at poverty.”

The mayor hasn’t said how much such a program would cost or how he’d pay for it, just that he’d directed his staff to make that determination.

While increasing the minimum wage and expanding early childhood learning are viewed as progressive issues, Emanuel’s critics point to a record that reflects more of a pragmatist willing to cut the necessary deals to move legislation forward.

Progress to Rahm means putting his nine fingers in your pocket.