February 24, 2016
"BLAME IT ON BRUCE" IS DEMOCRATS' 2016 MANTRA
"Blame it on Bruce Rauner." That's the Democrats' 2016 Illinois theme. It's all his fault, the torrent of mailers proclaim. Rauner's policies and agenda are "dangerous," and his "extremism" is going to pollute your water. Rauner is cutting "essential" services. Let's get this straight: Illinois' revenues are roughly $6 billion short of expenditures. The Democrats have 71-47 and 39-20 super-majorities in the state legislature, and can pass any budget and any tax increase at will, and override any Rauner veto. AND IT'S RAUNER'S FAULT? The governor has been in office for just 14 months, and he understands arithmetic: You can't spend what you don't have. That might be "dangerous." But those responsible for the fiscal mess in Illinois, Cook County and Chicago need a scapegoat -- which is Rauner. ATTACHED IS A LONGEVITY CHART. Note how long some of these luminaries have been in office...some of them when disco music was popular. They were present at the creation. But nobody blames them. Full Article...
February 17, 2016
"HARDS," "SOFTS" ARE KEY TO 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CONTESTS
A "hard" Democrat is good to find, especially for Democratic politicians, pollsters and direct mailers. "Hard" means having voted in at least 3 recent Democratic primaries, usually for slated candidates. The Sanders and Trump candidacies have destabilized politics at all levels. Who's going to vote...early, late, or not at all? "Soft" Democrats voted only once, and "squishy-softs" not at all. Contests in Illinois for president (Clinton v. Sanders), senator, state's attorney and Clerk of Court will be decided by the "softs." As delineated in the ADJOINING VOTE CHART, Democratic committeemen can control and deliver 15-35% of their ward or township's registered voters to the Machine's annointees. But if turnout surges above 50% and "softs" vote, then slated candidates can and will lose. Sts. Atty. Anita Alvarez (D) is fading fast, barely polling 32%. Clerk Dorothy Brown's (D) slogan is "I'm not indicted yet." If "hard D's" take a Republican ballot to vote for Trump, Democratic bosses will be in a world of "soft" hurt. Full Article...
February 10, 2016
BERRIOS MASTERMINDS YET ANOTHER SWAP-A-RAMA
It's another Swap-A-Rama in Chicago's North Side Puerto Rican wards. And it's not a flea market. "El Hombre Grande," also known as SuperJoe Berrios, has masterminded yet another political shuffle, redounding to his benefit. Ever hear of a "backup candidate"? That was/is the role of Omar Aquino when he filed for 2nd Dist. state senator last Nov., for incumbent Willie Delgado's seat. Aquino was SuperJoe's 2015 candidate for 36th Ward alderman, losing decisively to St. Rep. Luis Arroyo's choice. But now -- surprise? -- Delgado decided to retire, and "Backup Omar" is the Machine/Berrios candidate against charter-school advocate Angelica Alfaro. The CTU -- teachers' union -- will spend whatever it takes to beat Alfaro. SuperJoe may have lost for alderman in the 31st and 36th wards, but now he has a state senator in his pocket. In Norridge, deputy IL Sec. of State Thomas Ned Benigno is back for a second crack for Norridge mayor in 2017. Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) filed against US Rep. Bobby Rush (D-2) in the expectation that Rush would die or quit before the primary. The heir apparent was Will Burns, who just quit as alderman. Brookins' campaign is DOA. Full Article...
February 3, 2016
"LINCOLN BEDROOM" MENTALITY COULD DERAIL CLINTON'S CANDIDACY
Call it the "Lincoln Bedroom" mentality. Remember when Bill Clinton's White House used to rent it out for campaign bucks? Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is on track to raise $1 billion. It's status quo/quid pro quo. The donors expect a return on their investment. And Bernie Sanders' "democratic socialism" movement is resisting, especially younger voters. They are disgusted with American plutocracy, and that includes the Clintons. There is much disgruntlement, on both the left and right, with the U.S. political system and the direction of government. France today, the epitome of socialism, is where America will be in 10-15 years. Full Article...
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