Emanuel at his Hyde Park campaign office (photo by Lynn Sweet)

(photo by Lynn Sweet)

CHICAGO--Mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff, on Saturday blasted Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's move against state unions, which have triggered mass protests in Madison.

Emanuel was asked about the Wisconsin situation by reporters at his Hyde Park campaign office--down the street from the Museum of Science and Industry and near the Lake Michigan shore. Emanuel stopped at the office as he sought to get out the vote on the South Side in advance of Tuesday's election to replace Mayor Daley, who is retiring.

"I think what the governor there is doing is not just fiscal, but a political agenda. That's not what we are about.

" ...I would totally approach reject the approach the governor of Wisconsin has taken," Emanuel said.

He added "I totally reject the notion that it would happen here," while cautioning the city would have to "live within our means."