September 28, 2011
INCONSISTENCIES GALORE AMONG CONGRESSIONAL VOTES
If inconsistency were a virtue, then a large chunk of Illinois' congressional delegation is on a fast-track to the proverbial pearly gates. The voting gyrations and permutations of seven incumbents -- Democrats Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, and Republicans Peter Roskam, Joe Walsh, Bob Dold and Judy Biggert -- is positively breathtaking. During 2010-2011, they variously emerged as anti-war/pro-Obama, pro-war/pro-Obama, pro-war/anti-Obama, and anti-war/anti-Obama. All three Democrats were anti-war (meaning Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya), pro-war, and pro-Obama. On social issues, the votes were predictable. Biggert, Walsh, Dold and Kinzinger have serious problems in 2012, but the Democrats are safe. Attached to this article is a 2010-2011 vote chart. Full Article...
September 21, 2011
"HOUSE OF LYONS" ENDS LONG REIGN IN CHICAGO'S 45TH WARD
The once-powerful 45th Ward Democratic Organization, known as the "House of Lyons," is no more. It was founded by Bill Cowhey, laboriously nurtured by the late Tom Lyons, and recently euthanized by Pat Levar. State Rep. Joe Lyons (D-19), the ward's "crown prince" and a Democratic assistant majority leader in Springfield, is retiring in 2012. On the heels of Pat Levar self-induced fiasco of 2010-2011, wherein he failed to elect an organization loyalist as his aldermanic successor, the House of Lyons has collapsed like Humpty Dumpty. Joe Lyons even endorsed a twice-defeated Norridge Democrat -- Rob Martwick -- as his successor, even though Levar is pushing 2011 aldermanic loser Marina Faz-Huppert for Lyons' seat. Ald. John Arena (45th) will run for Democratic committeeman in 2012, and will easily oust Levar if he foolishly runs. Full Article...
September 14, 2011
SEN. DURBIN LOSES IN 2014 IF OBAMA WINS IN 2012
Dick Durbin's fate is inextricably tied to Barack Obama's. If Obama is gone, Durbin isn't; if Obama isn't, Durbin is. In short, if President Obama loses in 2012, then Durbin, Illinois' senior senator, is a lock to win a fourth term in 2014, and probably rise to be the Senate Democratic leader. If Obama wins a second term in 2012, and the economy continues to founder, then another 2010-like anti-Obama wave in 2014 will sweep out Durbin. In years past, Durbin has been a prodigious votegetter, winning in 2008 by a margin that exceeded Obama's. Also, Illinois is a blue state, almost habitually Democratic, and Durbin is well-known. But, as the VOTE CHART attached just below the article indicates, Durbin's slavish devotion to the Obama agenda has led to an indelible public association of the senator to the president. Bill Brady, the Republican 2010 governor's candidate, may run for senator, as might Congressman Joe Walsh. 2010-2011 U.S. SENATE VOTE CHART ATTACHED.Full Article...
September 7, 2011
PERSISTENCE, CALCULATION SEPERATE CATAGORIES OF LOSERS
How about a column on losers? Good losers, sore losers, narrow losers, calculating losers, chronic losers, and woe-unto-me-if-I-lose losers. Losing is painful, but can be cathartic, almost an epiphany -- if you learn any lessons. There is always, like the loveable Chicago Cubs, the next election. But there is no future if one gets 10-25%. As an underdog, in a hostile district or against an entrenched incumbent, a two- or even three-election cycle strategy is necessary: Run the first time to build name ID and an organization; run again to batter and discredit the incumbent; and then run the third time to close the deal. Newt Gingrich did it; Illinois' Dan Seals didn't. A three-peat works best in congressional elections; if the terms are 4 years, you can't credibly run three times over 12 years. A gaggle of losers -- Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Jim Oberweis -- are already clogging the 2014 Republican primary for Illinois governor. But losers can take heart: Gov. Pat Quinn, despite 4 statewide losses, still persisted to the top.Full Article...
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