Trib reporter Rick Pearson caught Hizzoner’s speech today at Wheaton College: "Daley’s talk had the appearance of a tryout for a post-retirement career that includes paid public-speaking gigs." The line about how we can restore America by not whining so much apparently went over well, but one bit resulted in the sort of refreshingly irritated dig you get when you push reporters too far:

With the city facing a huge budget deficit and having spent much of the proceeds from a controversial 75-year parking meter lease to paper over previous budget holes, Daley criticized a federal government that created a huge debt by spending money it didn’t have.

Well, it’s in previews.

He also talked about privatization, speaking of which… the Rahm Emanuel era sorta began today.