Mayor Hahn was careful to call the project a redesign of the airport and not an expansion, despite his proposal to build three large new structures.

"Mayor Hahn calls it a modernization - it's a synonym for expansion."

Nevertheless, Mayor Hahn called the proposal "fair to the surrounding communities, who will have to bear with increased traffic."

It is not clear whether Mayor Hahn can pull it off again - and if he cannot, who can.

"I'm confident the next chief is on this list," Mayor Hahn said at a news conference after the commission's announcement.

Mayor Hahn needs the victory.

Many black leaders described the decision, and Mayor Hahn's opposition to the chief, as a betrayal.

At City Hall today, Mayor Hahn said: "This is not a win for anyone.

Mayor Hahn's once-ardent black supporters have responded by calling him stupid, or worse.

In October, Mayor Hahn officially announced that his focus would be on security rather than expansion.