Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley Not Running for Re-Election: Initial Reactions

(Sept. 7) -- Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election when his term concludes.

If he had continued his run in office, Daley, 68, would have been running for his seventh term. His career as mayor at its conclusion will exceed 21 years in office, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Daley is the son of the late Richard J. Daley, who served as Chicago's mayor from 1955 to 1976.

"The truth is, I have been thinking about this for the past several months," said Daley as he addressed an audience at Chicago's City Hall. "In the end, this is a personal decision, no more, no less."

Here are some of the first reactions to Daley's announcement taken from across the Internet:

Blogosphere:

"Daley announcement not so stunning, really" -- Eric Zorn, the Chicago Tribune

"He leaves behind bankrupt government coffers, crime-infested public housing, and one of the 'most stressed cities' in the nation. Time to make way for another corruptocrat (paging Rahm Emanuel)!" -- Michelle Malkin

"If any still doubted that major shakeups were coming to the White House after the midterm elections, they can look to Chicago, where news just broke that the job Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has coveted for so long is now open." -- Michael Scherer, Time

"In this economy, without that much cash to pay everyone off, running the machine became that much harder ... at a time when Daley's mind and heart are focused on being a husband and father, and being there for Maggie when she's ill." --HillBuzz

"Expect a lot of speculation about the political future of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel." -- The Oval, USA Today

Twitter:

What?? Daley's not running for mayor again? Is the king returning his crown? (via @LauraACaldwell)less than a minute ago via TweetDeckDana Kaye
Dana_Kaye

That banana saltwater taffy was about as gross as hearing about Daley over and over is going to be annoying. #chicagoless than a minute ago via webChicagoZilla
ChicagoZilla

I could get behind Rahm Emanuel as mayor of Chicago. http://bit.ly/bgGKxnless than a minute ago via EchofonMonica Schrager
mschrager

Dino weighs in on Daley news. RT @SUEtheTrex: No more Mayor Daley? But a Daley has been in charge of Chicago since I was alive!less than a minute ago via TweetDeckRobert Loerzel
robertloerzel

I always thought Daley was corrupt-but to Chicago's BENEFIT. Now I'm scared it's just going to get corrupt without him.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckmace
maceacme