November 25, 2009
ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS DON'T LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES
Illinois' Republicans, especially in suburban congressional races, seem more inclined to learn to repeat past mistakes, not learn from past mistakes. Republicans once had a 10-9 majority in the Illinois House delegation; it's now 7-12. But 2010 could be a gamechanger. Dem incumbents Bill Foster, Debbie Halvorson and Melissa Bean are at some risk, depending on the identity and viability of their Republican challenger. Lessons to be learned: Don't nominate nut conservatives; don't pick rich, clueless white guys; avoid antiquated party insiders; find somebody who "fits" the district; and find past winners, meaning local officials. In the 10th Dist., State Rep. Beth Coulson could be another DeDe Scozzafava -- an Obama Republican. Businessman Bob Dold is surging. In the 14th Dist., Ethan Hastert, the ex-speaker's son, may be an unelectable insider. In the 8th District, businessman Dirk Beveridge is overtaking Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez. And in the 11th, ex-county commissioner Adam Kinzinger is proving credible. Republicans could be back to 10 seats after 2010, or down to six. Attached to this article is the 2009 US House vote chart, detailing the record of relevant state congressmen.Full Article...
November 18, 2009
"DUMB DEB" MELL'S BLUNDER PUTS CAREER AT RISK
In Chicago, dead people often vote. In the 2010 Democratic primary in the Northwest Side 40th District, State Representative Deb Mell (D) can't vote. It's not because she is dead. Instead, it's because she is stupid. Big Daddy Dick Mell, the powerful 33rd Ward alderman, made his little girl a state legislator in 2008, ousting an incumbent. But she's definitely no chip off the block. When Deb Mell moved from her condo on Clybourn to another on Melrose in 2009, she committed a politicians' cardinal sin: She neglected to re-register to vote. On a scale of political intelligence, that's a minus-5, somewhere between a moron and a cretin. Joe Laiacona, a gay activist, has challenged Deb Mell's petitions, and she will be off the 2/2/10 ballot. But it ain't over until it's over. Deb Mell, under her father's tutelage, could run as a write-in in the Democratic or Republican primary, or as an independent. Laiacona has serious baggage. Because of "Dumb Deb's" oversight, a herculean amount of corrective time and money must be spent by Big Daddy to get her back to Springfield. Full Article...
November 11, 2009
EL GLOTON GRINGOS MELL, BURKE FACE HISPANIC REVOLT
El Gloton Gringo -- Spanish for hoggish foreigner. That describes how Chicago Hispanics view Aldermen Dick Mell (33rd) and Ed Burke (14th). They, like Spanish Conquistadors, have subjugated wide swaths of Hispanic territory: Mell on Chicago's North Side, and Burke on the South Side. There are inklings of revolt. In the 8th County Board district, Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) is backing Xaxier Nogueras for his former board seat, infuriated that Mell rammed through his choice, Ed Reyes, last summer. Maldonado is also backing ex-Judge Ray Figueroa for assessor against the slated Joe Berrios; also running are Bob Shaw and Gene Staples. In the 23rd House district, incumbent Dan Burke, Ed's brother, faces Rudy Lozano Jr. in an 80%-plus Hispanic area. But the Burke Boys have over $4 million to spend. In the 7th CB district, Joe Moreno's pro-tax, pro-Stroger record is poison. And in the 12th CB district, John Fritchey faces ex-Ald. Ted Matlak, but is caught in a crossfire between the 47th and 32nd wards. Full Article...
November 4, 2009
"WATERBOARDING" UNDERWAY: WHO ARE THE "LEAST WORST" CANDIDATES?
It's the waterboarding season -- time to torture voters with a plethora of negativity, triviality and absurdity. For 2010, the key to political success lies in portraying oneself as the "least worst" candidate, and one's opponent as an incorrigible, disreputable moron. Let the games begin. In the Cook County Board president race, incumbent Todd Stroger is the "worst worst," but he has solidified the black vote, and could win, provided Toni Preckwinkle and Terry O'Brien split the anti-Stroger vote evenly. In the assessor's race, it's reform against money, with ex-Judge Ray Figueroa battling pay-to-play insider Joe Berrios. With 12 candidates, it's the usual crapshoot at the MWRD. Republican aspirants for IL governor are fervently hoping that, as in New Jersey on 11/3/09, voters will oust the Democrats, viewing Republicans as the least worst alternative. Brady and Dillard lead the pack. In the Dem primary, the worst may be yet to come for Pat Quinn: more corruption, and fiscal crises. If he survives the primary, he may be hopelessly crippled in the 2010 election. Full Article...
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