Are Rahm's numbers creeping up? New internals show him near 50

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s internal polling shows him with 48 percent of the vote, brushing right up against what he needs to avoid a run-off in April.

Emanuel’s pollster, Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner had this to say about Chicago’s “mood” in contrast with the rest of the country.:

“Mayor Rahm Emanuel enters the mayoral election with the city in an improving mood, with more positive feelings in the neighborhoods, and in a strong position in the first round. While the country remains pessimistic about our direction as a nation, in Chicago a striking 58 percent of voters see their neighborhood headed in the right direction.”

The memo has Emanuel with 48 percent of the vote, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia with 21 percent and Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) with 13 percent.

The memo shows run-off scenarios as well, with Emanuel able to fend off Garcia or Fioretti.

Rahm Emanuel polling