By Steve Rhodes

“One of the best-known sayings about politics is missing something. In a 1985 speech at Yale University, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo said, ‘We campaign in poetry, but when we’re elected, we’re forced to govern in prose,'” Brian Mackey writes for Illinois Issues.
“But that formulation omits one of the dominant aspects of modern politics: fundraising. Intermingled with campaigning in poetry and governing in prose, one might charitably say candidates raise money in the language of sales and marketing. Less charitably, one might say they fundraise in psychological manipulation.
“For better and worse, political campaigns have caught up to the marketing techniques that private enterprise has been using for years. Micro-targeting, price anchoring and a remarkable precision of language have, from a financial standpoint, been good for candidates. But is it good for our political system?”

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Posted on November 8, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

It’s coming, people. Be patient. I’ve had a lot going on this week.

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Posted on November 7, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

This column is in production! It will be worth the wait. Election analysis on the way through the weekend both in this space, on our Politics page and on The Beachwood Radio Hour.
The rest of today’s site is loaded:
* Beachwood Exit Poll: The Top 10 Reasons Rauner Won.
* The Political Odds: Special edition with post-election commentary.

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Posted on November 6, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

Some readers may recall that last winter and spring I worked with We The People Media’s Urban Journalism Program, mostly at Robeson High School and Donoghue Elementary.
This year we’re doing things a little differently. We’ve hooked up with a mentoring program and this fall I’ve been working with a colleague with two kids from Chavez Multicultural Academic Center – a horridly fancy way of saying Chavez Elementary – on one-on-one instruction.
I’ve got a session I need to get to soon as I write this, and yes, I slept in because I was up all night tweeting about the election and such.

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Posted on November 5, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

WHO WON ELECTION NIGHT? THE BEACHWOOD TWITTER FEED. CATCH UP WITH THE BESTEST, MOST AWESOME COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS AND JOKES THERE WHILE I SLEEP IN WEDNESDAY.
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All these hacks telling everyone to vote makes me very suspicious. Maybe we should do the opposite?
Beachwood Election Guide 2014!
If you do go to the polls, you can cut it out and take it into the booth with you!

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Posted on November 4, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

“Nik Wallenda successfully completed his controversial Chicago skywalk Sunday, breaking two world records and defying critics who claimed the stunt was too dangerous to perform without a harness,” the Tribune reports.
I wonder if Wallenda paid those critics to ramp up the hype. Not only did Wallenda make the walk(s) look like a piece of cake, I’m sure it virtually was a piece of cake for him.

Wallenda engaged with the crowd and TV audience during his first walk, repeatedly commenting on the loud cheers coming from Wacker Drive and the bridges along the river.
“Listen to that roar,” he said. “I love Chicago and Chicago definitely loves me.”

Wallenda chatted during his walk.

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Posted on November 3, 2014

By Natasha Julius

Turns out petulant corporate assbag was not the best Halloween costume this year.
Market Update
There was a big shakeup in Public Safety Threat futures this week, as Slow-Moving Lava out-traded A Nurse. For our money, though, you’re better off with blue-chip earners Bees and Hail.

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Posted on November 1, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

Everything – well, still a lot of things – in progress, including The Beachwood Radio Hour #29, The Week In Chicago Rock and as much emptying of my election notebook as I can manage between now and Tuesday. Be patient, and send food.
For now:

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Posted on October 31, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

“Chicago elevator inspectors failed to complete more than three-quarters of their required annual inspections last year, resulting in about $772,040 in lost inspection fees, according to an audit released Wednesday by the city’s Office of Inspector General,” the Tribune reports.
“This is a program that has had a long, chronic history of performance deficits,” said Inspector General Joseph Ferguson. “Our audit shows that they are not meeting their own standards necessary to ensure the safety of elevators citywide.”
Think of the children, Rahm. Think of the children.

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Posted on October 30, 2014

By Steve Rhodes

“Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration will not refund $7.7 million in red light camera tickets it collected after quietly lowering the yellow light standard, the city’s transportation chief said Tuesday,” the Tribune reports.
“The mayor told the Tribune earlier this month that he would consider refunds, but Chicago Department of Transportation chief Rebekah Scheinfeld made it clear that would not be happening – even though the city made a determination in September to restore the longer yellow light standard.

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Posted on October 29, 2014