July 28, 2004
FACTIONALISM THREATENS GOP CONTROL IN MAINE TOWNSHIP
For Illinois' Republicans, the Plague of the Ryans -- Governor George's scandals, candidate Jim's dismal 2002 gubernatorial campaign, and the implosion of candidate Jack's 2004 Senate effort -- has finally been eradicated. The worst is over. However, in northwest suburban Maine Township, the worst is yet to come. Township Supervisor Bob Dudycz, a social-issue conservative, and Republican Committeeman Mark Thompson, a social-issue liberal, are poised to engage in a party-wrecking battle for Dudycz's job in 2005. Maine Township used to be a Republican bastion. But Al Gore won it in 2000. And Democrats have won aldermanic seats in Park Ridge. If Republicans don't get their act together, Maine Township and Park Ridge may soon evolve into Democratic bastions. Full Article...
July 21, 2004
STATE LEGISLATORS' SPLIT REFLECTS NATIONAL DIVIDE
America's close Republican-Democrat partisan divide is reflected not only by the 2000 Bush-Gore presidential outcome, and by ongoing public opinion polls, but also by the partisan makeup of the 50 states' legislatures. At present, of the nation's 7,382 state senators and state representatives, 3,724 are Republicans, and 3,659 are Democrats -- a separation of just 65 seats. In 2002, the Republicans won a majority of America's state legislative seats for the first time since 1954, primarily because of their gains in the South. Going into the 2004 election, Republicans control both chambers of the the legislature in 22 states, and the Democrats in 17. The other 11 states have split control. Those states with split control -- Oregon, Nevada, Washington, North Carolina, Minnesota -- are critical in the 2004 Bush-Kerry contest. However, regardless of the presidential result, Republicans will make state legislative gains in 2004. Full Article...
July 14, 2004
OPPORTUNITIES BECKON FOR EMANUEL AND SCHAKOWSKY
The upcoming Bush-Kerry presidential contest can be either a lose/win or a win/lose situation for influential Democratic U.S. Representatives Rahm Emanuel (D-5) and Jan Schakowsky (D-9), who represent districts that take in Chicago's Northwest Side and adjacent North Shore suburbs. If Bush wins, both benefit; if Kerry wins, both suffer. The liberal Schakowsky, an ally of House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, could move into the Whip's post if Democrats win a majority -- which could happen in 2006, provided Bush is then president. The more moderate Emanuel is slated to be head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2005-06 cycle. The Republicans will likely keep control of the House in 2004. If Bush is president in 2006, Emanuel's task of winning a Democratic majority, and making Pelosi speaker, would be a lot easier than if Kerry were president. For individual House votes, SEE VOTE CHART "2003-2004 U.S. HOUSE VOTES." Full Article...
July 7, 2004
"CANCELLATION CLAUSE" ENDS WITH FITZGERALD'S RETIREMENT
With Republican Peter Fitzgerald's retirement, Illinois' "Cancellation Clause" is about to be cancelled. On virtually every issue except gun control, Fitzgerald's conservative vote cancelled out Democrat Dick Durbin's liberal vote. For 36 of the past 54 years, Illinois had a split Senate delegation, and the Cancellation Clause was in effect. With Barack Obama likely to be elected in November, Illinois will have an all-Democrat, all-liberal Senate team. Also, Illinois is moving into solidly "blue" territory. It voted overwhelmingly Democratic for president in 1992, 1996 and 2000, and will do so again in 2004. Of the 20 "blue" states that went for Gore in 2000, 12 have two Democratic senators. Illinois will soon join that group. Full Article...
Previous Articles