April 30, 2003
RECRUITMENT OF EDCAR IS GOP'S TOP PRIORITY
Given the obvious trend toward the Democrats in Illinois, especially considering the Democrats’ 2002 statewide sweep, a Democrat will certainly win Fitzgerald’s seat in 2004 unless the Republicans recruit an exceptionally formidable candidate. In recruiting candidates for open seats, as in Illinois, there is a definite recruitment hierarchy, to wit: Class I: Celebrities. Class II: Self-funding millionaires. Class III: Popular current or former governors. Class IV: Legacies Class V: Incumbent statewide officials. Class VI: Prior statewide losers. Class VII: Incumbent U.S. Representatives Class VIII: Mayors of big cities. Class IX: State legislators and local county officials. Here’s a look at the various Illinois candidate classes, and how they impact the race to succeed Fitzgerald: Full Article...
April 23, 2003
FITZGERALD'S RETIREMENT IS PROFILE IN INEPTITUDE
Moseley-Braun’s 1992 win was a fluke, as demonstrated by her 1998 loss to Fitzgerald. Remember, until next March, Democrats will be spending all their time and money attacking each other, totally ignoring Fitzgerald. So what is Fitzgerald’s legacy? Fitzgerald was among the first Illinois Republicans to excoriate George Ryan, and call for his resignation. So Fitzgerald ranks right up there in that undistinguished, unremembered group with Democrat Moseley-Braun; Democrat William Dieterich (elected in 1932, defeated by Lucas in the 1938 primary); Republican Otis Glenn (elected in 1928, defeated in 1932); Republican Charles Deneen (elected in 1924, defeated in 1930); Republican William McKinley (elected in 1920, retired in 1926); Republican Medill McCormick (elected in 1918, retired in 1924); and Democrat James Hamilton Lewis (elected in 1912, defeated in 1918, but then redeemed himself by being elected again in 1930 and 1936). Fitzgerald had the potential to be a Republican star. Full Article...
April 16, 2003
WILL IRAQI VICTORY CONVERT JEWS TO GOP?
In 2000, an estimated 80 percent of America’s Jews backed Al Gore over George Bush. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found Jewish voters support the Iraq war by 56-35 percent. The Bush Administration’s Middle-East policies have been distinctly pro-Israel, so any Democratic criticism of the Iraq war can be construed as being anti-Israel. Will the anti-Israel, pro-Palestine stance of many Democrats, especially minorities, coupled with the Bush Administration’s pro-Israel posture, push Jews into the Republican camp? Full Article...
April 9, 2003
2004 CLERK'S RACE MAY IMPACT DALEY SUCCESSION
In 1979, Shiller ran again, and Axelrod won by 247 votes. In the runoff, Shiller beat Orbach by 498 votes, getting 9,751 votes to Orbach’s 9,253; Shiller’s vote was almost identical to Washington’s. Is Orbach a credible alternative to Brown? In Chicago’s three black-majority congressional districts – the 1st, 2nd and 7th – Brown crushed Levar by 135,904-23,463, a margin of nearly 6-1; of Brown’s countywide vote total, almost 63 percent came from those black-majority areas. In Chicago, Brown topped Levar 172,892-99,952, and in the suburbs, Brown had 43,739 votes to Levar’s 23,357. If Brown has more than one foe, she’ll win easily. Full Article...
April 3, 2003
CLOCK TICKS DOWN ON CAPPARELLI'S
“I intend to run for re-election as (ward) committeeman.” Those three will likely demur if Capparelli runs again, but all three will certainly run if Capparelli doesn’t. Malatesta would be Capparelli’s choice. In the 2000 primary, Capparelli ran unopposed for re-election as committeeman, and got 6,168 votes. In 2002, Barnette was primed to run in the 15th House District, but deferred to Capparelli. “I don’t expect to run (for Capparelli’s seat),” said Barnette. Absent Capparelli, D’Amico will easily win a 2004 primary in the 15th District. Full Article...
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