Rahm Emanuel: Will he sweep in Chicago mayoral Tuesday? Swatting down expectations

Rahm Emanuel campaigning at Target, 85th and Cottage Grove, on Saturday. (photo by Lynn Sweet)

CHICAGO–The last thing the Rahm Emanuel mayoral camp wants is raised expectations about the Tuesday mayoral balloting here. Emanuel is in a position to win the contest outright–if he gets more than 50 percent of the vote. If not, the top two vote getters go to an April 5 runoff. If Emanuel does well–comes in first–but not pass 50 percent–will he seem somehow falling short? That’s a perception issue.

On Monday, at North Park Village, Emanuel–in the heart of what was his congressional district– was asked about whether he could clinch Tuesday.

“This is a big election and I want people to participate in that election by showing up and voting,” he said.

Over the weekend, Emanuel campaigned on the South Side and on Saturday got a warm reception at the Target at 85th and Cottage Grove. For my overview story on Emanuel and the mayoral race, click here.