November 27, 2013
DYSFUNCTION REIGNS SUPREME IN MAINE TOWNSHIP
Northwest suburban Maine Township is a textbook example of how NOT to build and grow a political party. Deceit, duplicity, double-crossing, stupidity, personal arbitration -- all have led to the virtual destruction of both the Republican and Democratic organizations. Is there Tesh-Moy-Pro "deal"? In short, have Republican township officials. Carol Teschky and Bob Provenzono cut a "deal" with Democratic state representative Marty Moylan (D-55)? Charlene Foss-Eggermann is running for township Republican committeeman in 2014 because she thinks Democrats have "infiltrated" the Republicans. Teschky, the township supervisor, wants to overcome the ineptitude of prior committeemen Mark Thompson and Rosemary Mulligan. In the 9th County Board district, incumbent Pete Silvestri (R) may have a tough challenge from Frank McPartlin (D). Full Article...
November 20, 2013
"FREE-SHOOTERS' ARE MOST CALCULATING RISK-TAKERS
Risk-taking is inherent in the political game. No risk. No gain. No power. But "free-shooting" is a strategy which minimizes risk. It means seeking another, more powerful office while still occupying a different office -- a "free shot, " with no consequence if defeated. The Daley Clan were masters of the "free shot"; father and son both ran for mayor while holding county office; other beneficiaries of the ploy are Joe Berrios, four Congressmen, Toni Preckwinkle, David Orr, Peter Fitzgerald, Dick Ogilvie and Barak Obama. The risk-taking champion is Pat Quinn, always eager to win some new job; others are Carol Mosely Brown, Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin. Full Article...
November 13, 2013
OVERCOMING OBERWEIS IS REPUBLICANS' 2014 GRIEF
For Republicans in Illinois, there are four stages of grief: Anger, denial, bargaining and Oberweis. The politically toxic Jim Oberweis is back, and he's running for U.S. Senator in 2014. Admittedly, no Republican is going to beat Dick Durbin (D), who won by 2.1 million votes is 2008; but Oberweis' nasty and contentious personality, coupled with his hard-right social issue stances, will keep him under 30% of the votes -- thereby endangering other statewide Republican candidates. And even if Oberweis loses, it's likely Oberweis will challenge Sen. Mark Kirk (R) in the 2016 primary. Lots of grief. Full Article...
November 6, 2013
OBSCURITIES EMERGE IN 2014 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RACE
In politics, obscurity is lethal. However, for Illinois' lieutenant governors, obscurity is normal. Can you say "Governor Sanguinetti"? Or "Governor Rodriguez"? How about Kim, Tracy, Mendoza, Martinez, Gordon-Booth, Raoul, Neely or Claybourne? In 2014, one will be a heartbeat, scandal, or impeachment away from Illinois' governorship. A new law requires the coupling of Gov/Lt. Gov candidates in the primary, so there will be no Scott Lee Cohen situations. Obscurities abound. Full Article...
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