Progressives in Chicago--and across the country--actually should be encouraged by Rahm Emanuel’s balance of progressive ideas and pragmatic leadership and his re-election Tuesday on those terms. The mayoral runoff election wasn’t about the future of liberalism in America, as many had speculated. Rather, this vote was about getting things done (a Midwestern ethos), on a huge scale, and at a time of persistent problems.

Some national organizations that supported challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia tried to frame this election...