June 18, 2008
CORRECTION
In Russ Stewart's June 18 column on "A Tale of Three Cities," former Lincolnwood mayoral candidate Bertha Gimbel was quoted as stating that "Irv and Sally Blackman and Paul Eisterhold really run the town." Gimbel says that she meant to say that they run the Lincolnwood Alliance Party, which runs the town. Eisterhold is a former, not current, zoning board chairman. Gimbel also said that she has not encouraged Trustee Yehuda Lebovits to run for mayor in 2009.
June 25, 2008
"TUMOR REMOVERS" AIM FOR GOVERNOR IN 2010
It's a political, not a surgical procedure. And a whole bunch of Illinois politicians are ready, willing and able to become "tumor removers" in 2010. Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's recent memo on the possible impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich stated that "criminal activity" in the governor's administration has been "proven," and that he is now a "tumor" on the body politic. Madigan set forth three reasons for impeachment, but the Illinois Constitution does not stipulate a "cause" -- unlike the "high crimes and misdemeanors" provision of the U.S. Constitution. The Illinois House is empowered to investigate, and can impeach by a majority vote, sending it to the IL Senate for trial, where a 2/3rds majority is needed to convict and remove from office. Is Madigan being disingenuous, and bluffing? He has the votes to impeach (a 67-51 majority). But he doesn't want Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn in the top job, especially since daughter (and Atty. Gen.) Lisa Madigan is ready to run for governor in 2010. Republicans want a special committee to do the investigating; Madigan would likely send it to Jack Franks' government affairs committee. Everybody except Quinn wants to keep the "tumor" alive and in office until 2010, when they can all attack it with their scalpels. Full Article...
June 18, 2008
A TALE OF THREE CITIES: NO "CHANGE" IN SIGHT
Unlike Charles Dickens' 1859 novel "Tale of Two Cities," depicting the impact of the 1870s French revolution on Paris and London, this column is a Tale of Three Cities -- Morton Grove, Skokie and Lincolnwood, in Chicago's near north suburbs. There is no revolution brewing or percolating. Lincolnwood has been under the thumb of the "Alliance Party" (formerly Administration Party) for 77 years. Incumbent Jerry Turry will win a second term. Skokie celebrates "diversity," but the Democratic-run Skokie Caucus Party, largely controlled by white, Jewish males, has been dominant since 1965. Skokie has a growing Third World population -- Asian Pacific Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, as well as Indians and Pakistanis. But they don't vote. The white Jewish Democrats dominate, and Democratic Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen will win again. In Morton Grove, embattled Democratic Mayor Rick Krier is under the gun. He raised taxes, after promising in 2005 not to do so, and is trying to fully fund public safety pensions. He has failed to eliminate the hated "garbage tax." Unlike his colleagues, Krier looks like a loser in 2009. A Republican could win the job. Full Article...
June 11, 2008
"ISN'T" AND "DOESN'T" DEFINE 66TH DIST. RACE
The contest for state representative in the northwest suburban 66th District is all about ISN'T and DOESN'T. Democratic candidate Mark Walker emphasizes that he ISN'T a Republican, and that Republican foe Christine Prochno DOESN'T have the popularity and credibility of retiring incumbent Carolyn Krause (R). Republican strategists insist that Walker DOESN'T fit the district's demographic profile, which is that socially liberal (pro-choice, pro gun control, pro gay rights) females win, and that Walker DOESN'T benefit from the massive unpopularity of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Democratic Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Walker spends 3 hours a day walking precincts, and he concedes that the voters' message is succinct: Get rid of Balgojevich and Stroger. Prochno notes that Walker, of Arlington Heights, ISN'T Dan Kotowski, who won the area's state senate seat in 2006. Walker declares that he ISN'T going to be a Madigan Monkey if he wins -- i.e., a pliable stooge for the speaker. "I will vote my conscience," said Walker, even if Madigan pours $400,000 into the race to elect him. Madigan wants a 72-46 majority, so he can over-ride Blagojevich vetoes, and impeach him -- so he needs a Democrat win in the 66th District.. Prochno, of Elk Grove, said she DOESN'T expect Madigan to make the race a Tier-One contest. The outlook: Prochno needs 10% of the Obama vote, which means getting plenty of liberal female votes, to win; Walker needs at least 10% of the McCain vote to win. The race is a toss-up. Full Article...
June 4, 2008
OBAMA "UNDERTOW" HAS REPUBLICANS FEARFUL
An Barack Obama "undertow" is developing, and it will overwhelm 2008 Republican candidates for congressional, state and legislative offices. Turnout in 2008 with be a stratospheric 140 million, up from 122 million in 2004 and 105 million in 2000. Of those 18 million new voters, many will be blacks who didn't vote in 2004, and who will vote for Obama and every other Democrat; likewise, younger, anti-Bush voters will opt for Obama and every other Democrat. Even white, pro-Clinton, anti-Obama Democrats, who will vote for Republican John McCain, will vote for every other Democrat. Every congressional Republican's vote will drop by at least 10%. The key states are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. If McCain wins all five, he's president; if Obama wins just one, he's president. Republicans are in a 49-51 and 199-236 minority in the Senate and House, respectively. A massive Obama "undertow" could reduce them to an inconsequential 40-60 and 135-300 in November. Historically, it's 1918-1920 all over. In 1918, the country was disgruntled with World War I and Woodrow Wilson; Republicans won control of Congress. In 1920, Warren Harding's "undertow" swept Republicans to 59-37 and 300-132 congressional majorities. 2008 looks a lot like 1920. Full Article...
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