*** UPDATE - 1:30 pm *** From a Danny Davis press release…
After having been focused on the race for President of the Cook County Board for the past several months, I have come to the conclusion that Dorothy Brown is my candidate for President of the Cook County Board.
During my exploration, I commissioned two (2) full-fledged professional polls conducted throughout Cook County and in every instance Dorothy Brown was heads and shoulders ahead of her three opponents – name recognition, favorable and the person people said that they were most likely to vote for.
A recent media poll reaffirmed what we already knew, that Dorothy Brown was and is the peoples’ choice.
She is well-trained, MBA, Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, a proven manager, an independent and progressive thinker, not captive of any political organization, or moneyed influence groups, she supports organized labor and has a vision for Cook County.
In all of my public endeavors I try and be where I think a majority of the people are. My political group voted for Dorothy Brown, the People of Cook County have said four times that they want Dorothy Brown, they want Dorothy Brown, they want Dorothy Brown - -then I want Dorothy Brown. So I give you Dorothy Brown, the next President of the Cook County Board.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Dorothy Brown is already ahead in the polls, so this long-rumored endorsement by Danny Davis will only help build her momentum…
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) threw his support behind Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown today in the race for Cook County Board president, a post he once considered for himself.
“She is the people’s choice,” Davis said. “She has vision for the county.” […]
“She’s obviously intelligent,” he said. “When it comes to managing a budget, she has proven that she can do that. She has vision for the county.”
* County Board challengers put Stroger on defensive: On the issue of governing the county’s sprawling system of clinics and hospitals, Preckwinkle alone said she would make the board permanent. “I’ve said from the very beginning that we need to make this independent governing board permanent,” Preckwinkle said. “If you look at their three-year life span they spent the first year and a half trying to persuade somebody good to come and take over the system because of the terrible reputation.”
* DuPage chairman candidates weigh in on water commission: Heads already would have rolled at the DuPage Water Commission if most of the four candidates for county board chairman in the GOP primary were in charge. The four all said they are troubled by the commission’s admission to accidentally spending $19 million of its reserves on operational costs over the past two years, which recently forced the agency to take out a $30 million loan.
* Lake Co. sheriff candidate accuses incumbent of profiling: John Krempotic, a Democrat from North Chicago, said during a Daily Herald endorsement interview that Curran may not have specifically ordered sheriff’s deputies to stop Hispanic drivers, but that “it’s encouraged … that (deputies) target the Latino population.” Curran said the statement is a “boldfaced lie” and anti-bias data collected in 2009 backs him up.
- Posted by Rich Miller
28 Comments
- Just Observing - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:33 pm:
I thought Davis had more intregity than endorsing Dorothy Brown. Not that I care either way, but nominating Dorothy Brown is the Republicans (or even an independent candidate) best chance to take the Board presidency.
C’mon. Tell me they just approved some overtime at the Tribune to get back on the Dorothy beat. I would take Todd any day of the week over her. Her “Presidency” has the makings of an epic disaster that could put the Dems on a very bleak track.
OK. I know y’all up north think we’re a little different down here in Southern Illinois. But what the heck is up with the “North Town News Magazine” and the goofy scissor intro? It looks like something you’d see on Saturday Night Live.
- Lincoln Parker - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
The thought of Dorthy Brown as Cook County President is scary. I would rather have Stroger again. They both have a lot of patronage workers though that could help them. Hopefully either O’Brien or Preckwinkle can win. I would prefer Preckwinkle.
I like what Dorothy Brown has to say at candidate forums.
But if you pay attention to how she conducts her campaign and manages her public responsibilities, she’s kinda sleazy.
I don’t believe Danny Davis endorsed Brown because she’s “the people’s choice.” He endorsed Brown because that’s who he wanted to endorse. Why did he want to endorse her?
I dunno. But I’m increasingly convinced Danny Davis could care less what the people want. He’s become a bitter old man. Davis takes advantage of baby boomers who knew him back in the 80s and 90s who have a blind spot about seeing how Davis has changed.
I don’t think Toni Preckwinkle is going to be friends with Davis after this campaign. Every move Davis has made has blunted Preckwinkle’s momentum.
A lot of people east of Western don’t have much use for Danny Davis, so I’m not sure how much that endorsement will help. Davis is a big spender and he’s not a reformer, so Preckwinkle never had a chance for that endorsement anyway.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:25 pm:
I can’t forgive Preckwinkle for the way she let her campaign use blatant anti-semitism to get elected (her staff plastered anti-semitic fliers around Hyde Park made to look like they came from Tim Evans’ campaign — according to a Reader article, she was barely bothered by it and wouldn’t cut ties to the perpetrator).
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:31 pm:
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:34 pm:
Note that this report says that Preckwinkle condemned the perpetrator (Alan Dorby) which she did, but the Reader pressed her to cut him lose from her campaign. I can’t find the article in the Reader’s archive search, so call for documentation is fair and I will try to find it and post soon.
what a shocker! Actually Nyberg pegged Dorothy Brown pretty well as far as I’m concerned…kinda sleazy is a tad merciful though…she’s an old boy pol who is not a guy…
BYW if Richie endorses Toni, and she wins, will he run that Board too? Whaddaya think?
- Anon and on... - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:22 pm:
@ Lake County
In Cook County (and Chicago, and Illinois…) we’re often left with trying to vote for the least objectionable choice. Preckwinkle has proven herself to be a thoughtful, progressive leader and while I don’t think she’s perfect, she would be a FAR superior alternative to Dottie Brown, who has never impressed me as being thoughtful or talented.
LCD, I don’t recall the incident you mentioned but the Paul Green article (funny to see him looking so young) doesn’t support your claim. I know sometimes it’s hard to get your hands on the articles that prove your point so I’m not saying you’re not telling the real story, but I would like to see something to support that claim.
I don’t love Preckwinkle for a variety of reasons, but she is the best of a bad lot. Based on her sleaziness and tenuous grasp on ethics, Dorothy Brown would be little more than Todd Stroger in a dress (eww, ugly visual).
Claims that Toni Preckwinkle is married to a Jewish developer have circulated in the African-American community for years. Laura Washington debunked the myths for good a few months months back. Just as baseless, the myth that Toni Preckwinkle engaged in antisemitism is also nonsense. I know for a fact that Toni has enjoyed good relationships with the Jewish leaders in her ward - and throughout the county. Abner Mikva is proudly serving as an honorary co-chair of her campaign for Cook County Board President.
Just reading the Davis press release makes one feel… unclean.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:58 pm:
Scott: but that’s not the point. Preckwinkle’s campaign sought to “get out” her Jewish voters by distributing anti-semitic literature in the Jewish parts of her ward (Hyde Park) which her campaign attributed to Evans — anti-semitism was used as a tool to frighten and anger Jewish voters. It’s this tactic that should be revolting. As for Abner Mikva, call me cynical but I think he knew full well about the history of Ed Moskal’s anti-semitism when he joined the Nancy Kaszak campaign (it had only been on the front page of the Tribune) and managed to bite his tongue as to the campaign using him as outreach to Polish voters. Lots of “ends justify the means” thinking out there, I suspect.
- Lakefront Liberal - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:28 pm:
So what is the difference between “I try to be where the people are” and “I endorse whoever polls well?”
I remember when Blago polled real well too …
- The 'Dale to HPark - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:38 pm:
Where is the Gutierrez for Preckwinkle update? That’s huge… in a race where racial politics matter and no one going after the Hispanic vote, that could be huge.
You still haven’t shown us that Toni in any way condoned the conduct. Sometimes people are rogue agents in campaigns. I’m Jewish and I understand the significance of what you’re alleging, but this is too serious of a charge to be taken at face value just because you say so.
DOrothy Brown was a joke at the CTA, went to law school while she ws supposed to be actually performing her well-paid job, if she wins she will make TOdd Stroger look like Jack Welch.
Not as odd as what happened yesterday on IR over Hughes’accusing Kirk of flip flopping on Gitmo.
I can’t tell whether they’re in shock over the “kind words”, whether they’re sinking, or whether THEY’RE taking a poll to answer the question “Would Hughes have voted FOR or AGAINST HR 2892?
LIVE session coverage...
- Just Observing - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:33 pm:
I thought Davis had more intregity than endorsing Dorothy Brown. Not that I care either way, but nominating Dorothy Brown is the Republicans (or even an independent candidate) best chance to take the Board presidency.
- P. - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:34 pm:
C’mon. Tell me they just approved some overtime at the Tribune to get back on the Dorothy beat. I would take Todd any day of the week over her. Her “Presidency” has the makings of an epic disaster that could put the Dems on a very bleak track.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:41 pm:
That forensic audit in DuPage should be pretty interesting. Accounting errors? We’ll see.
- Old Shepherd - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:55 pm:
OK. I know y’all up north think we’re a little different down here in Southern Illinois. But what the heck is up with the “North Town News Magazine” and the goofy scissor intro? It looks like something you’d see on Saturday Night Live.
- anon - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:00 pm:
if dorothy brown becomes the board president, i may need to move out of cook county
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
I’ll bite. Do you have a link, Old Shepherd?
- Lincoln Parker - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
The thought of Dorthy Brown as Cook County President is scary. I would rather have Stroger again. They both have a lot of patronage workers though that could help them. Hopefully either O’Brien or Preckwinkle can win. I would prefer Preckwinkle.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:15 pm:
Never mind, Shepherd, just saw it. I don’t get it either.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:22 pm:
I like what Dorothy Brown has to say at candidate forums.
But if you pay attention to how she conducts her campaign and manages her public responsibilities, she’s kinda sleazy.
I don’t believe Danny Davis endorsed Brown because she’s “the people’s choice.” He endorsed Brown because that’s who he wanted to endorse. Why did he want to endorse her?
I dunno. But I’m increasingly convinced Danny Davis could care less what the people want. He’s become a bitter old man. Davis takes advantage of baby boomers who knew him back in the 80s and 90s who have a blind spot about seeing how Davis has changed.
I don’t think Toni Preckwinkle is going to be friends with Davis after this campaign. Every move Davis has made has blunted Preckwinkle’s momentum.
- OdysseusVL - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:25 pm:
A lot of people east of Western don’t have much use for Danny Davis, so I’m not sure how much that endorsement will help. Davis is a big spender and he’s not a reformer, so Preckwinkle never had a chance for that endorsement anyway.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:25 pm:
I can’t forgive Preckwinkle for the way she let her campaign use blatant anti-semitism to get elected (her staff plastered anti-semitic fliers around Hyde Park made to look like they came from Tim Evans’ campaign — according to a Reader article, she was barely bothered by it and wouldn’t cut ties to the perpetrator).
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:31 pm:
Here’s the details:
http://www.lib.niu.edu/1991/ii910538.html
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:34 pm:
Note that this report says that Preckwinkle condemned the perpetrator (Alan Dorby) which she did, but the Reader pressed her to cut him lose from her campaign. I can’t find the article in the Reader’s archive search, so call for documentation is fair and I will try to find it and post soon.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:20 pm:
what a shocker! Actually Nyberg pegged Dorothy Brown pretty well as far as I’m concerned…kinda sleazy is a tad merciful though…she’s an old boy pol who is not a guy…
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:22 pm:
BYW if Richie endorses Toni, and she wins, will he run that Board too? Whaddaya think?
- Anon and on... - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:22 pm:
@ Lake County
In Cook County (and Chicago, and Illinois…) we’re often left with trying to vote for the least objectionable choice. Preckwinkle has proven herself to be a thoughtful, progressive leader and while I don’t think she’s perfect, she would be a FAR superior alternative to Dottie Brown, who has never impressed me as being thoughtful or talented.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:34 pm:
LCD, I don’t recall the incident you mentioned but the Paul Green article (funny to see him looking so young) doesn’t support your claim. I know sometimes it’s hard to get your hands on the articles that prove your point so I’m not saying you’re not telling the real story, but I would like to see something to support that claim.
I don’t love Preckwinkle for a variety of reasons, but she is the best of a bad lot. Based on her sleaziness and tenuous grasp on ethics, Dorothy Brown would be little more than Todd Stroger in a dress (eww, ugly visual).
- Scott Cisek - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:03 pm:
Claims that Toni Preckwinkle is married to a Jewish developer have circulated in the African-American community for years. Laura Washington debunked the myths for good a few months months back. Just as baseless, the myth that Toni Preckwinkle engaged in antisemitism is also nonsense. I know for a fact that Toni has enjoyed good relationships with the Jewish leaders in her ward - and throughout the county. Abner Mikva is proudly serving as an honorary co-chair of her campaign for Cook County Board President.
- SweetLou - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:30 pm:
Just reading the Davis press release makes one feel… unclean.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:58 pm:
Scott: but that’s not the point. Preckwinkle’s campaign sought to “get out” her Jewish voters by distributing anti-semitic literature in the Jewish parts of her ward (Hyde Park) which her campaign attributed to Evans — anti-semitism was used as a tool to frighten and anger Jewish voters. It’s this tactic that should be revolting. As for Abner Mikva, call me cynical but I think he knew full well about the history of Ed Moskal’s anti-semitism when he joined the Nancy Kaszak campaign (it had only been on the front page of the Tribune) and managed to bite his tongue as to the campaign using him as outreach to Polish voters. Lots of “ends justify the means” thinking out there, I suspect.
- Lakefront Liberal - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:28 pm:
So what is the difference between “I try to be where the people are” and “I endorse whoever polls well?”
I remember when Blago polled real well too …
- The 'Dale to HPark - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:38 pm:
Where is the Gutierrez for Preckwinkle update? That’s huge… in a race where racial politics matter and no one going after the Hispanic vote, that could be huge.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:43 pm:
LCD,
You still haven’t shown us that Toni in any way condoned the conduct. Sometimes people are rogue agents in campaigns. I’m Jewish and I understand the significance of what you’re alleging, but this is too serious of a charge to be taken at face value just because you say so.
- SweetLou - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 5:15 pm:
Chicago Cynic is right, if LCD can’t produce some substantial evidence, then you can’t take that charge seriously.
- Jim - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 9:46 pm:
DOrothy Brown was a joke at the CTA, went to law school while she ws supposed to be actually performing her well-paid job, if she wins she will make TOdd Stroger look like Jack Welch.
- Its Just Me - Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 9:58 pm:
Um, so Davis had to do a poll before deciding who to endorse? AND he tells people that? That strikes me as odd.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 18, 09 @ 6:42 am:
Not as odd as what happened yesterday on IR over Hughes’accusing Kirk of flip flopping on Gitmo.
I can’t tell whether they’re in shock over the “kind words”, whether they’re sinking, or whether THEY’RE taking a poll to answer the question “Would Hughes have voted FOR or AGAINST HR 2892?
Odd.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 18, 09 @ 6:49 am:
I guess we’ll know once the fog clears up.