April 30, 2008
EVANSTON "PROGRESSIVES" FIGHT CREEPING CAPITALISM
A political "progressive" (also known as a "liberal") is defined as someone who seeks ongoing change toward a particular goal or vision -- usually a socialist utopia and paradise on earth. The trendy, upscale North Shore enclave of Evanston is filled to bursting with "progressives." In the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, Evanston delivered an astounding 78.9% of its vote for Barack Obama; in the 2004 presidential election, John Kerry got 82.3%, and Al Gore got 78.7% in 2000. But when the goal is objectionable -- like "commercialization" and unfettered development in downtown Evanston, specifically a 500-foot, 49-story skyscraper -- "progressives" become apoplectically "regressive." There have been 6,000 condos built or converted in the past decade. And the interest of homeowners greatly conflicts with the interests of downtown businesses and condo owners. Mayor Lorraine Morton and the 9-member council are pushing development, and they will likely be pushed out of office in 2009 -- when "regressive progressives" will triumph. Hell hath no fury like a "progressive" scorned. Full Article...
April 23, 2008
"DUMB-R-US" CLUB MAY INCLUDE BLAGOJEVICH
When in doubt, despair, or imminent defeat, a smart politician dumbs it up. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who once promised to "rock Springfield" and blaze a "new way," may be the newest recruit of the "Dumb-R-Us Club," consisting of beleaguered politicians who confess their sins and/or stupidities, fervently hoping that a forgiving and/or forgetting electorate will re-elect them. Blago has not engaged in acts of moral depravity, like hiring high-priced hookers, getting caught in a men's room, or having a gay lover. But he's undeniably indolent, ineffectual, intransigent, insincere, inconsistent, and utterly inept. He has a 13% approval rating -- the worst in the nation. New NY Gov. David Paterson confessed to drug use and marital infidelity. Will Blago can confess to his stupidities? But an indictment for conspiring to trade state jobs and/or contracts for contributions grows ever more likely. Plus, a $3 billion shortfall looms in the 2008 fiscal budget -- while Blago spews forth new spending schemes. If Illinois had a recall mechanism, Blago would be history. But the recall won't make it through the IL Senate. "How many governors will go to jail?" asked State Rep. Jack Franks. Blagojevich's defeat in 2010 is more than likely; it's inevitable. Full Article...
April 16, 2008
"TIME" IS KEY FACTOR IN '09 SUBURBAN CONTESTS
Developing 2008/2009 suburban contests in Niles, Park Ridge, Harwood Heights and Leyden Township are all about time. In Niles, the question is whether 47-year Democratic Mayor Nick Blase, 80, will be doing time. Blase is under indictment for allegedly taking $420,000 in bribes from insurance agents. His trial is set for Sept. 8, 2008. If he plea bargains, he loses his job and law license; if convicted, he forfeits the mayor's post; if exonerated, he'll win a 13th term in 2009. A number of candidates are quietly jockeying to succeed him. In Park Ridge, Republican Mayor Howard Frimark is holding back the hands of time. Democrats are surging in the suburbs, but in Park Ridge, the Democrats have collapsed, Frimark has a 6-1 majority among the aldermen, and he will win a second term in 2009. In Harwood Heights, Democratic Mayor Peggy Fuller is living on borrowed time. She won by 28 votes in 2005, and has gone downhill since. She will lose in 2009 to Republican Trustee Arlene Jezierny. In Leyden Township, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has targeted Republican State Rep. Skip Saviano for defeat in 2008, and has recruited Barrett Pedersen to make an untimely race against him. Saviano will have the 36th Ward Democratic Machine, led by Ald. Bill Banks and State Sen. Jim DeLeo, working for him. Madigan is making a big mistake and many enemies. Full Article...
April 9, 2008
"STROGER STOOGES" FACE TOUGH PRIMARIES IN 2010
To be alliterative, the dumb are leading the dumb on the Cook County Board. Or, more alliteratively, the unwise are enabling the untrustworthy to achieve the unacceptable which infuriates the unappreciative and will cause the unforeseen. In short, the Dumb Democratic Nine -- the commissioners who sided with Todd Stroger and voted to hike the county sales tax by 1% -- aided and abetted Stroger in breaking his 2006 promise, thereby antagonizing voters, who may oust them in 2010. Republican Tony Peraica lost to Stroger by 94,457 votes (53.7%) in 2006, and will run again if he loses for state's attorney in 2008. But finances, not personalities, will be key: The county budget is up to $3.2 billion, and the workforce up to 23,851. Stroger promised to cut both. Stroger Stooges like Earlean Collins, Robert Steele, Bill Beavers, Joe Moreno and Larry Suffredin will face primary challenges. And anti-Stroger Republican commissioners, despite their anti-tax vote, are endangered by demographic changes; at risk are Pete Silvestri, Tony Peraica and Gregg Goslin. There's 5 Republicans now; there could be just two after 2010. Full Article...
April 2, 2008
"FIVE-PARTY" SYSTEM EMERGES IN COOK COUNTY
Todd Stroger, the inept, inert and utterly incompetent president of the Cook County Board, has a gameplan for his 2010 campaign. The Toddler has not been elected. He was appointed as the Democratic nominee in 2006 after dad John Stroger suffered a stroke. Young Stroger beat Republican Tony Peraica by 94,488 votes (53.7%). Peraica is running again in 2010. The Toddler's 2010 plan: If Barack Obama is nominated as the Democratic nominee for president, loses to Republican John McCain, and then runs for re-election as senator in 2010, a black "anger" vote will erupt. That means Stroger will benefit from a huge Obama vote for renomination for U.S. Senator -- which will boost the Toddler, who will face potential Democratic primary foes Forrest Claypool, Mike Quigley and/or Jim Houlihan. Stroger promised not to raise taxes, and then did. His credibility is non-existent. But if he faces more than one white primary opponent, Stroger wins. The 2008 state's attorney primary showed that the white voter base is about 53%. A multiplicity of Democratic foes will not beat Stroger in a primary, but a Republican could do so in the 2010 election. Full Article...
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