August 28, 2013
30% BLACK BASE VOTE GIVE RAOUL PATH TO WIN GOVERNOR PRIMARY
As black State Senator Kwame Raoul (D) ponders a 2014 gubernatorial bid, inquiring minds ask whether he is another Barack, or another Borris? A superstar or a hopeless loser? In the last five Democratic primaries, the average turnout was 1,039,000, of which 25% is cast Downstate, 17% in the Collar Counties, and 65% in Cook County. The black statewide vote is at least 300,000. Bill Daley's ceiling is 35-39%, and Pat Quinn's base would collapse if Raoul runs. Why is there black antipathy towards the Daleys? Call it the "Bridgeport Syndrome." Raoul would be the 2014 candidate with momentum. Full Article...
August 21, 2013
DUMPSTERS, "SON SWAP," THE "NEXT MELL," "KIDDIELAND," AND THE "GRAVEL SNEAK"
It's the "Son Swap." State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D) won't run for alderman in the new 36th Ward in 2015, thereby clearing the way for the son of Ald. Ray Suarez's (31st) best buddy, Willie Aquino Sr., to run for the spot. In exchange, Suarez, Joe Berrios, Roberto Maldonado and the north side Puerto Rican bosses will back Arroyo's son for county commissioner in 2014 against incumbent Edwin Reyes (D-8), whom they all detest for his "independence.". Also, Dumpsters were busy on Aug. 15-16 at the Democratic countywide slatemaking. MWRD Comr. Cynthia Santos was dumped, as she had lost her "juice" (i.e., clout). Seven appointed judges were also dumped. Four men were slated as "alternates" for judge, and will be sneaked onto the ballot. Full Article...
August 14, 2013
41ST WARD ALD. O'CONNOR SCOFFS AT "CURSE OF HARRY BELL"
The not-so-legendary "Curse of Harry Bell" still lurks in Chicago's far northwest 41st Ward. Surprisingly, the Ward has had Republican aldermen for 42 of the past 66 years - a definite anomaly in Democratic Chicago. Bell, a Democrat, served a single term as alderman from 1959-63; he was an automatic vote for Mayor Daley, and no squeak ever passed his lips. Fast forward to 2011: Democrat Mary O'Connor won the seat by 250 votes; she's been an automatic vote for Mayor Emanuel in council meetings, and her lips, too, are sealed. Voters in the ward like bombastic, colorful and non-conforming alderman. And that O'Connor is not. She will run for a second term in 2015. Beware the "curse of Harry Bell." Attached is the article and a chart listing past 41st ward aldermen. Full Article...
August 7, 2013
DEMOCRATIC MIAS KEY TO 2014 REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL SUCCESS
In 2008, Democrats has a 12-7 majority in Illinois' congressional delegation. In 2010, without Obama on the ballot, turnout plunged 327,000 in four House districts, and Republicans took an 11-9 majority. The Democrats' 2011 remap, and the Obama landslide, gave Democrats a 12-6 majority in 2012. Now Republicans hope all those MIA 2010 Democrats will take a hike in 2014. Republicans are targeting incumbents (D) Schneider, Bustos, Foster, and Enyart, and have recruited formidable candidates. Davis is the only vulnerable Republican. Click to see article and vote chart. Full Article...
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