NO CONTRACT, NO WORK – AT 8:50 A.M. ET:  A teacher's strike began in Chicago this morning. 

Ordinarily, a local strike would not draw our attention.  But this is in Chicago, the president's home city.  And the mayor is Rahm Emanuel, the president's former chief of staff and a major figure in the Obama saga.

It is the main story at Drudge this morning.

Teachers' unions are one of the most powerful segments of the Obama coalition.  Ironically, Emanuel is doing the right thing by trying to restrain them.

The strike dumps 400,000 students on the streets, in a city where youth violence is an everyday nightmare.  Extra police are on patrol to deal with the "youths."  Good luck.

Of course, the strike may be settled quickly.  But, if it isn't, what will the president do?  Anything?  He has clout with the unions and with Emanuel.  I would say that Emanuel could come out of this a hero if he successfully faces down the unions, but, with his city overcome with crime, I doubt it.

Several people in Chicago were recently murdered within blocks of the president's home.  The White House said nothing. 

It's hard to know how this will impact the presidential race.  My own guess is that it will have little effect, that Obama will be seen as the president, with national responsibilities only.  However, you never know.  If Chicago descends into chaos, the situation can be seen by a small percentage of the population as symbolic of the age of Obama. 

So stand by.  It was a dispute over "community control of schools" (code language for control by local black politicians) that led to major convulsions in New York City in the 1960s.  These things can have long-term political consequences.

September 10,  2012