October 25, 2017
MADIGAN PUSHES MARWIG INTO McAULIFFE REMATCH
Hapless bordering on hopeless. That aptly describes Merry Marwig's (D) prospects for beating Mike McAuliffe (R) in their upcoming 2018 rematch for state representative in the 20th Dist. In 2016, despite Mike Madigan's $2.1 million in campaign expenditures, McAuliffe thrashed Marwig 25,387-19,724 (56.3%), largely because Gov. Bruce Rauner and friends evened the playing field and kicked in $2.8 million to the McAuliffe campaign. Rauner won the proxy war. Will Madigan spend another $2 million in 2018? If he does, so will the governor. If Marwig couldn't beat McAuliffe in a Democratic-friendly year like 2016, with a higher turnout, she won't do so in 2018 -- even if there is an anti-Trump backlash. Full Article...
October 18, 2017
"IRRECONCIABLE DIFFERENCES" PROMPT ALD. SPOSATO TO QUIT AS 38TH WARD DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEMAN
"Irreconciable differences" is normally used as the pretext for a no-fault divorce. In the case of Chicago Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), it's the reason why he resigned as ward Democratic committeeman and bailed out of the Democratic Party. Of the 80 ward and township Democratic committeemen, Sposato fully understood that all but a handful are just ciphers -- toothless, powerless and ignored (like himself). Sposato resigned from the city council's leftist "Progressive Caucus" last year, and recently concluded that being a committeeman has "no power," that slatemaking is "a farce," and that the Democrats nationally and locally are "too far to the left." Replacing Sposato as 38th Ward committeeman will be State Rep. Rob Martwick (D-19) -- the Master Multi-tasker. In addition to his Springfield job, Martwick works for his dad's law firm, which specializes in property tax reductions, and has his own political consulting firm, which makes a bundle. He also has credible primary and election challenges in 2018. Sposato said he will seek re-election in 2019, and Martwick promises that he won't run against him. We'll see. Full Article...
October 11, 2017
JUDICIAL JOCKEYING ALREADY FIERCE FOR 2018
Justice is supposed to be blind, but those aspiring to be a Cook County judge are neither deaf, dumb nor blind. The meek don't inherit a judgeship. Cunning and luck are required. Finding worthy 3/20/18 democratic primary concludes December for and the jockeying for 7 countywide vacancies, and at least 4 "late" vacancies is under way, along with 15-20 subcircuit vacancies. The democrats' slate is qoataized, which has spurred competing slates of blacks, women and former prosecutors. A black is running for 6, and a woman for 5 of the county slots. Victory in any judiciary primary depends not on qualifications, but on gender, race, ballot position, slating and Irish-surnames. The democrats will also have a "late slate," ranging the retirement of 3-5 judges around December 4, and then rushing replacements on the ballot, thereby eliminating competition. A turf battle is raging in the Hispanic 6th sub circuit, where local bosses Berrios and Arroyo have different forces. The race in the 10th subcircuit also looks complicated. Full Article...
October 4, 2017
"DUDS" APLENTY ON POLITICAL SCENE
Life, as well as politics, is full of "duds." In sports, a dud is a player who doesn't help his team win. In politics, a dud is a politician who doesn't win re-election to a second term. "Unfulfilled expectations" are usually the reason. If a candidate is elected to office on the basis of grandiose promises, or does not pass the "quality of life" test, they are gone. There have been a plethora of duds: Carter, Bush I, Walker, O'Connor, Rice, Clewis, Rittenberg, Stroger, Bilandic, Brraun, A Chicago alderman has $6.2 million at his/her disposal during the first term. There is no excuse for losing. Full Article...
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