August 30, 2006
"TRIANGULATION" IS KEY IN 8TH DISTRICT CONTEST
She learned the art of "triangulation" from the master: Bill Clinton. First-term U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean (D-8), who represents the suburban Illinois 8th District, encompassing traditionally Republican areas of McHenry, Lake and Cook counties, has positioned herself astutely for re-election in 2006, and is boosted by the Moderate Party candidacy of Bill Scheurer. Bean votes like a social liberal, backing abortion rights and stem-cell research, but votes like a Republican on defense, spending, trade and immigration issues. So how does Republican foe Dave McSweeney beat her? As detailed in the U.S. HOUSE VOTE CHART, 2005-2006, which can be accessed on this website, Bean opposed a date certain for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, and agreed that Iraq is a "central front" in the ward on terror. Bean also supported CAFTA, tort reform, bankruptcy reform, an immigration crackdown, off-shore oil drilling, and a 1% cut in all federal expenditures. McSweeney can't bash her as a liberal. But Scheurer, who wants to cut-and-run in Iraq, is bashing her as a closet Republican. That puts her in a perfect position to win, in the middle between an extreme liberal and an extreme conservative. Full Article...
August 23, 2006
BOYKE TO CHALLENGE ALD. LEVAR IN 45TH WARD
The cow pie has hit the fan in the Northwest Side Chicago 45th Ward. Terry Boyke, top aide to 19-year Ald. Pat Levar, has resigned and is running for alderman in 2007, on the premise that he has more energy, that there's too many scandals in City Hall, and that it's time for a change. Levar charges perfidy, claiming that Boyke lied to him about the reason for his July 15 resignation. Nevertheless, Boyke is a serious contender, and will rip the incumbent as ill, ineffectual, inattentive, complacent, and likely to resign after re-election so as to allow his son, Pat Jr., to take the seat. Levar pledged to serve out his 2007-11 term. Tensions exist in the 45th Ward Democratic Organization, led by Committeeman Tom Lyons. Levar lost a bid for Clerk of the Circuit Court in 2000. But this much is certain: Levar may not be universally popular among the precinct captains, but Boyke is viewed as a calculating, renegade opportunist. They will do whatever it takes to beat him. Full Article...
August 16, 2006
DURBIN'S LIBERALISM IS NO LIABILITY IN ILLINOIS
Dick Durbin, Illinois senior U.S. Senator, is liberal and loving it. The reasons are threefold: Location. Location. Location. Democrat Durbin is fortunate that he represents the People's Socialist Republic of Illinois, where virulent liberals are not lined up against a wall. Were he the senator from Indiana, Nebraska, or Kansas, he'd be toast...and would never have been elected. Durbin is now the Democratic Senate Whip, a powerful post, and a serious Bush-basher. But he has a propensity to step on his tongue, as he did when he compared the U.S. treatment of Iraqi prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to "Nazi, Soviets in their gulags or some mad regime..." Durbin has since apologized. Durbin switched from anti-abortion to pro-abortion in 1996, and favors withdrawal of troops from Iraq. See Vote Chart attached as: U.S. SENATE VOTE CHART (2005-06). Luckily for Durbin, Illinois is so Democratic that he could step, pound and hammer on his tongue, and still get re-elected. In contrast to the secular Durbin, colleague Barack Obama professes having a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ." Full Article...
August 9, 2006
BATTLES ERUPTING IN CITY'S HISPANIC WARDS
As usual, Hispanic politics in Chicago is chaos in motion. The Feb. 27, 2007 elections potentially feature Hispanic Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-4) as a candidate for mayor, and battles in at least 7 of 11 Hispanic-majority wards. The Hispanic vote is anemic, if not invisible. At least 217,000 illegal alien Mexicans reside in Chicago, but cannot vote. 2004 Senate candidate Gery Chico got only 3,898 votes (out of 29,414 in Chicago) in the Hispanic wards. The Northwest Side's Puerto Rican wards are becoming more Mexican, with a huge influx of upscale whites. Puerto Ricans on the Northwest Side are losing control, but the Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) retains its clout. For 2007, there will be contests in the Hispanic-majority 1st, 12th, 22nd, 25th, 30th, 31st and 35th wards. Full Article...
August 2, 2006
WEST SIDE'S BLACKS RESENT STROGER PLOY
There are longstanding rivalries in Chicago: North Side Cubs versus South Side White Sox; South Side Democratic politicians versus everybody else. But below the radar screen is the longtime animosity exhibited by West Side black politicians toward South Side black politicians, whom they resent for hogging political glory and patronage. The Stroger Succession is the latest example of the rift. The West Siders backed Danny Davis at slatemaking, while the South Siders, and all the pro-Daley white committeemen, backed Todd Stroger. West Siders feel that if Todd wins, he'll be county board president for the next 20 years, and they'll never get a shot at the job. West Side clout in the party is minimal, since there's only five black-majority West Side wards, as compared to 15 black-majority South Side wards; add to that the four south suburban black townships, compared to only one west suburban black township, and the South has an easy 19-6 majority in slatemaking. In addition, the registered vote is 484,724 on the South, and 147,196 in the West. Demographic change on the West Side is also decreasing the black population. The West Siders have some hope: If Republican Tony Peraica beats Todd Stroger, then then can run Davis in 2010, and perhaps win the board presidency. Full Article...
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