(AP photo)

In Des Moines, before delivering a rousing speech to defend President Obama and make the case for his re-election, Mayor Rahm Emanuel sat down with Chicago Sun-Times Political Writer Abdon M. Pallasch to discuss his rocky relations with unions---as he is called a "Republican Banker" by the Chicago police union president and a "one-percenter" by Occupy Des Moines protestors. Read the story HERE.

Pallasch was in HyVee Hall for Emanuel's speech, where he called the GOP presidential field all "turkeys" and focused on Mitt Romney--who the Obama team is betting wins the nomination. Read the story HERE.

I posted a transcript of Emanuel's speech, where most of the zingers are at the top. Emanuel, noting most of the GOP 2012 contenders were also in Des Moines for a forum quipped, "While we meet here tonight, the Republicans are having a debate across town.
I've watched a number of them, and I've got to be honest, I never thought I'd say this, I'm beginning to miss Sarah Palin's insights." Read the transcript HERE.