CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Tom — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 11:08:49 -0000

There is a machine, it's just a different type of machine. Today's machine has been centralized under Daley in the form of the HDO, Coalition for Better Government (don't get why it's called this), and other pro-Daley organizations. It's no longer the ward/precinct based machine.

Take a look at the white and black city workers who have joined HDO. Are they doing it to express solidarity with their Hispanic brethren? I don't think so. They are doing it as joining HDO and working for Daley and his favored candidates is a way to dramatically improve their chances for getting hired or promoted. Welcome to modern-day machine politics.

Re: Question of the day

Sigh — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:40:54 -0000

Not even sure why I'm bothering, but all of this crud in Kass and Dole and everywhere else about the machine still existing is total crap. The Trib did a study of the 38,000 shakman covered employees and found 1200 registrars or precinct workers. Compare that to 40 years ago, when it was like 98%. Sure, those 1200 workers -- if all loyal to RMD, which they aren't -- are useful, but really only in protecting against the few remaining powerful organizations (13, 14, 23, 33). And if you think that those four are in the Mayor's pocket, you smoked too much Vrdolyak weed. Those guys were aligned with 11 when they were faced w/ Washington, but remember they all ran repeatedly against RMD in every contested race he ever ran. THese idiots on the 4th floor did more than they needed to keep things steady -- that's the hubris and they probably deserve what they got. Faking interviews and breaking the rules is stupid -- if you don't like the rules, change them.

I say the mayor runs and no one remotely credible even circulates petitions. Like it or not this city is still really balkanized, and in today's TV age in politics, it's damn near impossible to govern such a place w/o #1) a Daley-like record of achievement, or #2) A billion bloomberg-like dollars to blow the other factions out of the media race.

Re: Question of the day

Disgusted — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:38:38 -0000

Maybe we could put Blago, Bush and Daley on the same ticket and get them all defeated at once. Then we could find someone to run who knows how to return this country and this state to greatness and who knows how to pronounce "nuclear", among other faux pas.

Re: Question of the day

Len O'Connor — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:51:19 -0000

I think Hispanics would have had a chance electing someone like Manny Flores from the 1st Ward. He could get many votes from the yuppie. progressives and African Americans but I think this whole HDO thing has embarrassed many in the Hispanic community and really has taken the wind out of their sails. I think Pat Quinn would make a great Mayor but I guess if he stays as Lt. Governor when Rod is indicted he will become Governor. I think State Sen Ricky Hendon could be a contender, He knows Chicago politics better than anyone and has had recent victories with candidates he was supporting. Dorothy Brown, Rep John Fritchey as good candidates also.

Re: Question of the day

Hey "deep throat' — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:15:37 -0000

What haveyou been smoking? State Sen. Iris Martinez Won't be able to run for mayor from "club Fed". She's an HDO operative or should I say "co-op"?

Re: Question of the day

Daley's Fab Five — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:13:38 -0000

If Daley decided to not run in 2007 his top insiders state that he would support another canididate who believes in the same vision he has for the City and would continue working in Making the city affordable,with great schools and color blind to race and be able to work with everyone in the City, just as he has.
Daley favorites and potential inidivudals to gain his 110% support are,
1. William Daley
2. Rahm Emmanuel
3. State Senator Iris Martinez
4. James Houlihan
5. Ron Huberman
All these 5 men and women would be assured to gain the full support of Daley and his allies and would continue his legacy!!

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 18:00:22 -0000

Minion - What do you base that on? When has he ever faced a credible challenge and raised lots of cash as a result?

I'd suggest just the opposite: Daley's political power and fundraising ability depend on the perception that he will continue to hold power, not on a well of goodwill, and he's become dependent on folks who are afraid they will no longer be able to do business with the city or will no longer have a job for his continued re-election.

Every perceived crack in his power, whether it's the passage of a smoking ordinance, living wage ordinance, or foie gras ordinance over his objections; indictment of his subordinates or political allies; or poll numbers which show him trailing potential challenges; they all weaken his ability to raise money, and it remains to be seen whether he can still put city workers on the streets like he used to.

Re: Question of the day

Minion — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:43:50 -0000

YDD- notwithstanding your fugures, I think everyone would accept that the guy can raise all the money he needs if and when he faces a credible challenge.

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:39:11 -0000

Bill - Even if I knew that there was someone whose name was being floated around, I'm hardly the kind of person to post their name on a blog so that they can find themselves getting a phone call from the 5th floor.

Minion - Daley started 2002 with $2.5 million. Between then and through the election, he raised $4.6 million and spent $3.3 million, with $3.7 million left on hand.

Four years later, he's starting 2006 with $2.3 million, which means he has had $1.5 million of negative fundraising over the past four years. Not good. For comparison, in the last half of 2005, he raised only $22,000, compared to $1.1 million in the last half of 2001.

Let's also not forget that our state ethics laws allow Daley to retire and take with him whatever cash he had on hand July 1, 1999 for personal use. Including possible legal fees, or trips to Ireland. I call it the "Magic Number." Daley's Magic Number: $2,593,869.00. Roughly what he started the year with, which means he effectively started at $0.

Re: Question of the day

Minion — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:18:28 -0000

YDD--agreed, but if Daley is going to be defeated it will have to be a white liberal with a ton of dough, like a Mike Bloomberg. Given that Hizzoner is already great friends/confidants/etc. with and among Chicago's wealthy, don't hold your breath.

Re: Question of the day

Bill Baar — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:16:07 -0000

YDD,

Names please...names...

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:16:05 -0000

ZC -- Don't expect another black Obama. Daley has been very thorough in his infiltration of the black community, and most now find themselves dependent on the Daley machine now.

Look for a white liberal with bonafide credentials in the African American community, and who is openly embraced by Obama and/or Jackson. There are plenty of folks who fit that bill.

Re: Question of the day

One Man Can Make A Difference — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:57:56 -0000

Vanilla Man, the fire has already started and I use the freedom of speech in the United States Constitution to warn the fire department.

Re: Question of the day

IrishPirate — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:40:26 -0000

ARRRRRRRGH,

To the poster who said the census gives Hispanics a shot at the mayoralty...........get some facts to back up your tune.

Hispanics make up around 15% of the potential voters in da great city of Chicago. That is because of citizenship and age related eligibility issues. They are probably over 35% of the general population, but only potential voters count in an election.

Little Louie does not have the votes and Jesse Junior is disliked by a significant part of the black community. Reverend Meeks? Ain't gonna happen. His right wing social agenda is not going to play in this city. Plus questions about his "love collection" at his church would hurt his credibility. The "love collection" is a special collection his church takes up for him and his wife. Only he and the wife count the money...........hmmmmmm.......no questions there huh.

Face it. Daley is gonna run and win. What is he gonna do...........retire and teach "speech" at the University of Chicago.........

ARRRRRRRRGH

Re: Question of the day

Garp — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:24:29 -0000

Hey "The G"

I think Sorich would apprciate that in writing.

Re: Question of the day

The G — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 14:19:16 -0000

Sorich has already been taken care of. He has a lucrative job out of state that will continue when he gets out.

Remember the Chicago motto: We take care of our own.

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 13:46:41 -0000

One Man!
Pull up! Pull up! You're going down! You're getting too close to the flames! AWWWWWWW!!

Too late! :(
I guess one man can make a difference, but one lunatic can't!

Re: Question of the day

Petey — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 13:37:03 -0000

Bill Barr -

You say:

It wasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t all happy campers at the trough in Chicago politics.

I beg to differ: is there any credible opposition to Mayor Daley? Remember the days of 'Council Wars'? Now *those* were not happy campers.

When "veteran Democratic official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.." are cowering in the shadows in fear of reprisal, that means da mayor has complete control.

The non-happy campers will simply be ignored, or bought off until the are happy.

When I see someone on TV night after night railing on and on about the 'corruption' and putting together a serious ward-based, anti-Daley coalition, then I'll know he is really losing control.

Re: Question of the day

Minion — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 13:34:32 -0000

yes, it depends on how far it goes and how fast. few people, however, realize the subtle fear many chicagoans have of going back to council wars and the uncertainity during that time period. That is the main reason why Daley gets a lot of support, although few people ever talk about it.

Re: Question of the day

Willie — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:54:20 -0000

Wonder why Governor Blagojevich wasn't invited to the birthday party ?

Re: Question of the day

ZC — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:53:09 -0000

YDD - I agree with you about polling data, and Daley hasn't had a really credible challenger in a while now - but still, it will take more than one Jackson-Daley hypothetical matchup to convince me the guy truly is vulnerable. I do think that the right African-American candidate with Obama-like crossover-appeal to the liberals should make the Daleyites nervous. But who is this candidate?

The best candidates might be able to take Daley down in 2007, but the gist I am getting is that 2007 will be Daley's last hurrah. So why bloody yourself to pieces , when an easier race might be had by waiting four years?

Talking polls, the February Tribune poll found that, while 70 percent of those surveyed did not believe Daley's claim that he was unaware of the corruption in City Hall, 56 percent still said they approved of the job he was doing as Mayor. That's a 26-point don't-believe-him-still-approve gap. In any case, a 56 percent approval for a guy who's been around so many years is impressive. I gotta chalk some of that up to goodwill.

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:49:17 -0000

Rich,

I thought I saw you at the press conference, but then I realized it was your doppleganger Pearson. Won't one of you shave the beard to end the confusion... ;-)

Re: Question of the day

One Man Can Make A Difference — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:43:50 -0000

Here we go again:

Not withstanding the Mayor's politics, I believe the Presidents visit to Chicago at this time was not only to assist Judy Barr Topinka, but also to you his position to assist the Mayor in thwarting any possible future indictment by the U.S Attorney.

I know that may sound off the deep end but check it out:

The President visits on his birthday, should be be at home with his family? During the dinner with with the Mayor and in newspaper articles and news accounts he speaks states that he came to share his birthday with the Mayor of the City of Chicago and then gives the Mayor raving reviews even though the City Hall trial verdict (what a coincidence)was announced and the headlines in the papers tell it all.

However, the same federal prosecutor and special prosecutor is investigating both the White House and City Hall for improprieties. One of the Presidents aids have been indicted and four of Mayor Daley's adis have been indicted as well and the investigations of both the White House and City Hall are not over.

Simultaneous, the Vice-President will be called as a witness in the prosecution of the White House investigation and the President has not yet been implicated. Neither has the Mayor in the City Hall investigation.

Yet, the President is still the "boss" of the prosecutor who is investigating both entities.

It appears that the Presidents persistent statement that the Mayor is his friend is an attempt to warn the federal prosecutor to "back off the Mayor, he's my friend".

Look at it from this angle. If the feds are investigating whatever entity in the United States, as the President of the United States and the overseer of the U.S Department of Justice, shouldn't the President be grateful that the prosecutor is investigating corruption and he should not taking visits to cities and towns to cheer on those who may be under investigation by his own federal administration?

Re: Question of the day

Obscure FM — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:27:23 -0000

Deep Throat

Lay off the dope.

Re: Question of the day

Deep throat — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:18:37 -0000

Mayor Daley will not run and instead will back....................Sate Senator Iris Martinez!
She'll win and will create a renassance for Chicago for the next 20years and she will build on Daley's Legacy!