By The Beachwood Political Affairs Desk
A look at what we’ve learned from Tuesday’s primaries, and what we can expect from here until November. It’s depressing in either direction.
Rod Blagojevich: As we asked in our primary guide, Has there ever been such a lack of enthusiasm for a virtually unchallenged incumbent? Clearly it was the governor’s bulging-at-the-seams campaign fund rather than his record in office that scared away challengers. And that, my friends, is example No. 845,000 (or so) of how money has hijacked your democracy. It is also Example No. 845,001 of how the private two-party system operates to prevent you from having too many choices.
Edwin Eisendrath: His phantom campaign won 30 percent of the vote. Makes you wonder what it would have been like had a real challenger stepped up and forced a real referendum on Public Official A‘s job performance. Eisendrath now goes back to cooking school.
Pat Quinn: The forgotten man as Blago’s lieutenant governor. So we just thought we’d mention him.
Judy Baar Topinka: We’ll still be wondering in the fall what it would have been like to have a real campaign challenge to Blagojevich–unless his world is rocked by more indictments.
Jim Oberweis: Instead of sliding into political oblivion with his third failure to win public office, Oberweis will likely be encouraged by his strong showing. After all, he did revolutionize the straw poll. And actually, had his straw gambit worked, he might have beaten Topinka. He could recover a portion of his financial investment in the campaign by selling his polka ad to Blagojevich.
Ron Gidwitz: Learned that politics isn’t for adults.
Bill Brady: Stupendously rich, but not ready for prime time.
Andy Martin: Andy, it might be easier to become a Cook County judge than to win a lawsuit. Think about it.
Joe Birkett: Topinka will regret running with him.
Steve Rauschenberger: His next run is for comptroller.
James Meeks: Reportedly on his way. Topinka’s new best friend. But if he runs he’ll come out of it damaged, with far less political influence.
John Stroger: We learned just how devoted African Americans are to a man who has “done a lot for black people,” as one supporter told Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell. Even though he wasn’t with Harold, and even though he’s probably done a lot more for white politicians like the Daleys. On the other hand, the MSM seems to tolerate white people’s Machine politics a lot more than black people’s Machine politics. I favored Claypool but by the end (?) of the campaign felt the inner surge of a backlash in Stroger’s favor, just because. We also learned something about Neil Steinberg (and his editors), but I’ll leave it up to you to decide what.
Forrest Claypool: Funny how “reform” candidates these days simply sound like Republicans. Don’t get Bill Daley to handle the recount.
Tom Dart: Look for more jail escapes under Dart’s tenure as the new Cook County Sheriff, provided he beats his Republican challenger in the fall. And even if he doesn’t.
Dan Lipinski: Endorsed by the Tribune. But they’re against Machine Politics. (See Stroger.) Let’s unite behind Ray Wardingley, a.k.a Spanky the Clown, and take back this seat!
Tammy Duckworth: Dick Durbin strikes a blow for grassroots democracy. Duckworth didn’t win her district because she doesn’t live in her district. She did, however, win in the district she is running in. (Does that mean she couldn’t vote for herself? Did she vote in her own district’s primary instead?) Unfortunately for her and her party patrons, it was a squeaker, despite the backing not only of Durbin but of Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama. Doesn’t bode well. Feels like another Democrat the party handed a nomination to based on electability via war service. His name was John Kerry. The Republican, Peter Roskam, will eat Duckworth for lunch in the general, and the Democrats will once again wonder what they should stand for.
Luis Gutierrez: I just want you to know I saw your name on those signs along with judicial candidates Ed Lechowicz and Gloria Chevere, both deemed Unqualified by all 11 state bar associations. Next time around: “Luis and Lech, Let’s Not Forget.”
Posted on March 23, 2006