Lightfoot's impressive opening salvo

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot just had her first "You're no Jack Kennedy" moment at 14th Ward Alderman Edward Burke's expense during their recent council meeting. It's not like she needed it. Unlike 1988 vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen's takedown of Indiana Senator Dan Quayle in their famous debate, Lightfoot had nothing to gain. She had already won her election.

Lightfoot never required a killer one-liner during the Mayoral race either. Quiet confidence and competence were enough. In fact, the exchange with Burke over proposed rules of order changes could be seen as overkill. Chicago's new mayor needs a hand-picked sound bite like Warren Buffett needs to win the Mega-Millions jackpot. But she executed her version of Bentsen's zinger with such aplomb that it's hard to fault her.

Bentsen's delivery of the Jack Kennedy line was skillful too, but in a slicker, rehearsed manner that feels less genuine with each viewing. His grandfatherly scolding of Quayle was more about needed votes than honest emotion. I don't doubt that Mayor Lightfoot was truly ticked off when Burke tested her.

Former Chicago Bears coach and noted philosopher Mike Ditka recalled in "Ditka: An Autobiography" how Dallas Cowboys coach, usually a pillar of stoicism, scolded "Iron Mike" in measured but no uncertain terms about ordering an unauthorized onside kick. Ditka got the message.

Lightfoot doesn't do Ditka-inspired outrage. She may smolder, and you might imagine smoke coming out of her ears, but controlled outrage otherwise.

Until she proves otherwise, can we classify Mayor Lightfoot's management style as post Tom Landry?

He was around for a long time.

James Newton

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