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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D covers Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his campaign to win re-election.  Emanuel, Chicago’s first Jewish mayor, was elected in February 2011.  He served as White House Chief of Staff before assuming office.  His record as mayor as been mixed as he is pushing to raise the city’s minimum wage to $13, but has angered teachers’ unions by closing schools and has had to deal with the city’s pension and violent crime problems.  He will square off against nine challengers in the Chicago mayoral election on February 24.  Extempers should make sure to keep follow the election, which could come up in domestic politics and/or local and state issues rounds.