CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
You've heard of the old rap group Run DMC, but now, "Rahm DNC" will be a topic of discussion this week.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel will fly to North Carolina Tuesday to take part in the Democratic National Convention, but there's some debate about whether he should.
It started with Chicago Republicans, who said Emanuel should skip the convention to deal with some major problems at home.
One of those problems is a pending teachers strike. The first day of school is tomorrow, but with a strike date of next Monday, the teacher's union is threatening to make it a short year.
The other issue is a rash of deadly violence in the city. Chicago police and the mayor have been working to contain it and the damage it could do to the city's image. The violence continues, and it's been getting national attention.
It's not just the Republicans that think the mayor should stay put. Left wing Democrat Jesse Jackson said the mayor's initial plan to be at the convention Tuesday through Friday meant too much time away. He compared the teacher's strike and all the violence to emergencies like the one hurricane Isaac posed for Republicans last week.
The governors of several gulf states skipped last week's Republican Convention to stay home and lead the storm response.
Emanuel may have felt the pressure because he shortened his trip. He'll speak at the convention Tuesday night, and then come home Wednesday instead of staying to Friday.
His office told the Tribune the change was made after the Obama campaign asked him to host a Chicago viewing party for campaign staff to watch the president's speech on Thursday.
Whatever the itinerary, Emanuel says going to the convention is the right thing to do -- for both President Obama, and Chicago.
"I want to help him get re-elected because I think he's good for the city of Chicago and he's good for the country," says Rahm. "He has done a great job. And it is in the interest in the city of Chicago that he get re-elected. And I think it's important for all of us and I can do that for a day while I continue to open our schools for our children."
