June 25, 2014
LOSERS CAN BE WINNERS IN RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES
Losing isn't a career-breaker or career-ender. Instead, it's underperforming expectations which spurs the death knell. These are three kinds of losers: (1) Those who were supposed to win, lost, and never get another chance (Think Jim Ryan.). (2) Those who ran exceedingly well, lost narrowly, and get a second chance (Think Will Guzzardi.). And (3), there are those who blithely keep running and losing, win occasionally, and are addicted to the game. (Think Pat Quinn and Jim Oberweis). Oberweis is running again in 2014. Full Article...
June 18, 2014
ALDERMANIC ATTRITION RATE WILL SOAR IS 2015
Term limits for the Chicago city council? Not needed. In the February 24, 2015 election, at least 15 of 50 alderman will be history. The June 10 defeat of Congressman Eric Center in Virginia shows the vulnerability of even the most powerful incumbent. As set forth in the adjoining CHART, the higher the turnout, the greater the aldermanic attrition. Given Chicago's precarious fiscal situation, and the $32 billion pension debt, a tax hike is inevitable -- but not before the 2015 election; a phone tax hike will delay the pain At least 27 alderman face some degree of risk in 2015. An anti-incumbent "wave" is developing. Full Article...
June 11, 2014
DEMS GROOM DUCKWORTH FOR U.S. SENATE IN 2016
As the Obama Nation fades, perhaps to be replaced by the Clinton Nation, Part II, the polarity of the coutrty's politics remains rigid. It's 40% concservative/Republican and 40% liberal/Democratic. The remaining 20% -- the swing voters -- either don't vote, or vote on the basis of distinctiveness, not distinction.Symbolism and superficialities (like gender, race, sexual orientation, handicaps, or personal history) are a pretext for a decision when the political environment is sour, or all candidates have identical issue stances, or gridlock reigns supreme. In 2016, Hillary Clinton is favored because she is a woman, not because she would be an extension of the Obama Administration. In Illinois, distinctiveness prevailed in 1992, 2004, and will again in 2016, when U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-8) runs for senator against Mark Kirk (R). When two white guys run, the Democrat wins. But in the 2014 governor's race, Bruce Rauner's money whas already made his "Shake Up Springfield" slogan distinctive. He's lucky he's running against Pat Quinn, not Lisa Madigan. In the 2014 senate race, Dick Durbin will win easily. Full Article...
June 4, 2014
SONS ARE SWAPPED IN 36TH WARD "SON SWAP" DEAL
Elsewhere in America, people are elected to or ejected from public office. In Chicago, such absolutes are avoided. Those seeking office can be appointed, annointed, dumped, and, in some cases, swapped. Who needs voter approval? In Chicago's new Northwest Side 36th Ward, which was created in 2011 but won't be occupied until 2015, the anticipated occupant has been annointed, swapped, and re-annointed. He is Omar Aquino, 26, until recently a staffer for Cong. Tammy Duckworth (D-8), and a former staffer for Mike Madigan. Aquino's dad is the best buddy of Ald. Ray Suarez (31st), a major player in the Berrios Machine, which dominates the North Side Puerto Rican wards. State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-3) wanted the 36th Ward post, but Willie Aquino Sr. wanted it for his kid, Willie Jr. So a "Son Swap" was bartered in 2013: County Comr. Eddie Reyes was dumped. Arroyo's kid (Luis Jr.) got Reyes' job, and the 36th Ward goes to Familia Aquino. But now another swap: Willie Jr. got dumped for Omar. In the 45th Ward, the "45thWardMom" (that's her website), Michelle Baert, is blasting Ald. John Arena for playing politics while the ward's potholes remain unfilled and services wither. A nasty race is developing. Full Article...
Previous Articles