March 29, 2006
STOGER'S NARROW WIN RAISES ELECTION DOUBTS
If ailing Cook County Board President John Stroger fails to make a miraculous recovery from his recent stroke, and remains on the ballot, he will lose to Republican Tony Peraica in November. Despite the light March 21 Democratic primary turnout, Stroger barely edged Forrest Claypool. Stroger got 90 percent of the Chicago black vote, and carried the city by 80,135 votes (61.2%), but Claypool won the suburbs by 57,341 votes (69.8%). Clearly, Claypool's assertions that Stroger was an inept administrator and tax-hiker resonated with suburbanites. Only sympathy for Stroger's condition, coupled with a huge black vote, saved Stroger. To win a countywide race, a Republican must win 2/3rds of the suburban vote, and near 40% of the city vote; that's exactly what Claypool got in the primary. If Peraica highlights the same issues as Claypool, and if Stroger is not out and about by November, Peraica can win. Full Article...
March 22, 2006
"DA VINVI CODE" CONTROVERSY QUESTIONS BIBLICAL TRUTHS
If rejecting the doctrines of Christianity is heresy, then the premise of two books -- the fictional novel (and now movie) "DaVinci Code" and the non-fictional "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" -- rises to the level of mega-heresy. Both contend that Jesus was mortal, not devine, and that the historical Jesus is not the Biblical Jesus. Holy Blood claims that Christianity and the Bible are a lie, a fraud, and a myth. It asserts that Jesus was a political agitator against Rome, was not the son of God, did not die on the cross, was not resurrected, was married, sired a family, and has a bloodline that can be traced to France. It further argues that the Four Gospels of the New Testament, published in 393 A.D., were culled from hundreds of stories and myths transmitted orally over hundreds of years. But Holy Blood is based on research from documents of the "Priory of Sion," dating back to 1188 -- a thousand years after Jesus' death. Both books are entertaining, illuminating and provocative -- but not necessarily believable. Full Article...
March 15, 2006
HERE'S "GREAT ORACLE" PREDICTIONS FOR MARCH 21
The Oracle makes its March 21 primary predictions: 2006 is not a "status quo" election, but pervasive corruption among Republicans and Democrats confuses voters. Whom do they oust? Turnout will be as low as 1978. Governor: Rod Blagojevich will barely clear 60% against Ed Eisendrath. That's ominous. Blago's theme that he "made mistakes," and wants a "second chance" is not particularly motivational. Among Republicans, sassy Judy Baar Topinka will get over 40%, with Jim Oberweis and Bill Brady bunched behind. Republicans perceive her as a winner, and some view her as being beaten up by the boys. In the treasurer's race, young Alexi Giannoulias is spending a bundle, but the organization is backing Paul Mangieri. Expect Giannoulias to win. For Cook County Board President, a low turnout helps John Stroger, but his health clouds the outcome. A Stroger loss would be bad karma for Mayor Rich Daley. Click to view NORTHWEST SIDE ALDERMANIC VOTE CHART (2000-2005). Full Article...
March 8, 2006
SQUABBLING REPUBLICANS UNDERMINE '06 PROSPECTS
While Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich bungles and blathers, Illinois Republicans are busy brutalizing each other, oblivious to their opportunity of retaking the governorship. Democratic insiders want to get rid of The Kid, and find Judy Baar Topinka a palatable alternative. But Illinois is increasingly Democratic, and only a major Democratic fissure, coupled with scandals, could cost them the Statehouse. If a black runs as a third-party candidate, Topinka is the GOP nominee, and Blago continues to act dumb, then Topinka wins. She's being blasted in the primary as a closet liberal, and the governor will pile on with charges of ineptitude and incompetence in November. But look who's talking? In other key primaries, Republicans are squabbling about who is a "real" Republican and has Republican "values." A tip: "Real" Republicans are the kind that usually lose to Democrats. Full Article...
March 1 2006
ANTI-DALEY FORCES AIM AT APPELLATE COURT RACE
Judges in Cook County, Illinois, are supposed to be full of wisdom and knowledge. And they're also supposed to be Democrats -- meaning that lawyers slated for the bench by the reigning Daley Machine are supposed to remember how they got there. In 2006, there's a serious Democratic primary for the Hartman Appellate Court vacancy: black contender Joy Cunningham is backed by congressmen Jesse Jackson Jr. and Luis Gutierrez, while the mayor's forces are supporting David Erickson. This is a key contest, with implications for 2007. If Cunningham wins, it shows that an anti-Daley coalition can be cobbled together. If she loses, Daley looks safer. In other races, Northwest Side subcircuit Judge Aurie Pucinski wants to move to the Loop, so she's running for a countywide judgeship. Jim McGing, who Pucinski beat by just 1,281 votes in 2004, is running again in the 10th subcircuit, and will win easily. In the 11th subcircuit, where Larry Andolino won by 36 votes in 2004, but had the outcome overturned in court, Andolino's back, and is facing Mary Colleen Roberts, from Oak Park. Andolino should win this time. Full Article...
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