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* I’ve heard of throwing rocks through a campaign headquarters’ window before an election, but a volunteer? That’s a new one on me…
A volunteer working for 19th Ward aldermanic candidate Anne Schaible’s campaign was injured Monday night when he was thrown through a campaign office window, her campaign manager Tom Mannix said.
Mannix said the volunteer appeared to be scuffling with a man outside the office, 10319 Kedzie Ave., at about 5:30 p.m. Mannix said he turned his back to call 911, and the volunteer was thrown through the window, with pieces of glass hitting Mannix in the back.
The volunteer suffered facial cuts and was taken to a local hospital, but didn’t appear seriously injured, Mannix said.
The unknown assailant got into a red two-door coupe that had been parked on Kedzie Avenue and fled, Mannix said. He said police arrived and took statements from witnesses.
The Southtown-Star reports that as of two hours after the incident there was no police report on file. Wouldn’t that be something if it was just a stunt? Throwing your own volunteer through your own campaign window would be the craziest twist yet on Chicago politics.
Seriously, though, I hope nobody was hurt too badly.
*** UPDATE *** With thanks to a commenter for the link, it appears to be some domestic battery nastiness…
A 44-year-old Chicago man faces two misdemeanor charges after police say he confronted his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend and threw the man through a plate glass window at the campaign office of 19th Ward aldermanic candidate Anne Schaible.
Mark Smith, 44, of the 9700 block of South Union Avenue, faces a count of domestic battery and another of simply battery in the altercation, Chicago police officer Mike Sullivan said. The fight took place about 5:30 p.m. at Schaible’s office at 10319 Kedzie Ave. on Monday.
Campaign staffers were organizing an Election day training event when the men crashed through the window, according to Tom Mannix, Schaible’s campaign manager.
Ugliness.
* Heh…
Mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel’s campaign was surprised when high profile backers of rival Carol Moseley Braun–Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) showed up a the South Side restaurant where his campaign planned a photo op of him dining with supporters in an African American neighborhood.
Emanuel was dining with a campaign co-chair, Zipporah Hightower and her son, Jack at the Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffle at 3747 S. Martin Luther King Dr., not far from Jackson’s Operation PUSH headquarters at 930 E. 50th St.
Jackson was already seated when Emanuel came in and Rush followed a little later. Things got a little raucous. “Everybody for Carol, up on your feet,” Rush called out, with Jackson and chunk of the room standing up as Emanuel munched on his lunch.
“This is a favorite eating place on the South Side,” said Jackson. “He comes as a tourist, we come as residents” (An Emanuel spokesman said he has been to the Chicken and Waffle two or three times.)
* What else would you expect?…
It’s Election Day — and Sneed has learned Mayor Daley, who voted early for the first time in his life, is outta the country!
† Translation: Hizzoner is taking the entire election week off!
† To wit: Sneed is told Mayor Daley grabbed his passport last Saturday and headed to the British Virgin Islands.
* Meanwhile, Mark Brown is, as usual, absolutely right about the mayor’s race…
Don’t come complaining to me afterward about how the media did this and the media did that, because I’ve been doing this long enough to know the media can’t elect a candidate on its own. You can ask Joe Berrios and Forrest Claypool about that, just to mention a recent example.
And don’t blame it all on the money, because even though money makes a difference, history is replete with the names of political candidates who had lots more money than their opponents and couldn’t get elected because voters weren’t buying what they were selling.
Certain pundits may say otherwise, but Brown is spot on here, especially with the Claypool reference. The Chicago media went all-in for that guy and he got creamed. Their preference for Rahm Emanuel was mostly confined to that ill-advised challenge to his residency. Through it all, the other candidates have done their best to hurt themselves. Carol Moseley Braun and her friends led the pack in that regard, and they continued to do so over the weekend. For instance, check out this new radio ad featuring Congressman Danny Davis…
Script…
VO: Every community has its interest. Congressman Danny K. Davis speaks on why you should vote on February 22nd to protect yours.
Danny Davis: I remember two principles of liberation and self-determination that my parents taught. My mother often told us that it is a poor dog that will not wag its own tail. My father would tell us that the Bible says any man who will not support his own house is worse than any infidel. In honor of my parents during Black History Month, I am voting for Carol Moseley Braun for mayor, and ask that you vote for the best candidate. Punch 3 for Carol Moseley Braun for mayor. This is Congressman Danny Davis.
Infidels, eh? And you thought we should be worried about Egypt. Silly rabbits.
If Carol Moseley Braun doesn’t end up with double digits or a runoff spot in the mayoral race, the loss will confirm something most African Americans in Chicago already know.
African-American leadership in this city is impotent.
A black consensus candidate should have had the support of the influential black movers and shakers in the religious, business, civic, activist, and political arena — not because of black unity, but because of self-interest.
The lackluster support of a candidate that was pushed forward by a coalition of African Americans purporting to represent the black community is shameful because blacks have lost a lot of ground since the city’s first black mayor, Harold Washington, died in office.
Braun was only a “consensus” candidate until she made herself unelectable - which was pretty much right away. As I’ve often written, black voters will vote for black candidates if they see those candidates as viable. Braun proved she wasn’t. That’s not to say she won’t do better than the polls currently have her. I’ve had enough experience to not trust Chicago polls at all. Things happen when the precinct workers kick into gear. Then again, Emanuel could do better than the polling shows. I have no idea.
Anyway, the problem with this consensus candidate process is the same basic dilemma Barack Obama faced in the presidential primaries. The Old School African-American leadership was behind the choice of Braun. Nationally, three years ago, the Old School mostly went with Clinton. The local and national leadership has held power for so long that they no longer fully understand what’s going on at the precinct level. I mean, Carol Moseley Braun? Really? Many of those who remember her don’t care for her. She threw away what should’ve been a long, glorious career in the US Senate, then humiliated herself with a presidential bid of zero consequence. And the young folks don’t even know who she is, and probably don’t care.
Chicago’s black “A” bench is a problem as well. Jesse Jackson, Jr. is horrifically damaged goods. Sen. James Meeks has fundamental problems communicating outside his district and can’t pull the trigger. Pat Horton, running for city clerk, is underwhelming.
There are some up-and-comers, but they have yet to prove themselves outside their wards or districts and the folks at the top are so well-known and entrenched that they have no desire to step aside (Bobby Rush and Danny Davis, to name just two).
A generational change is absolutely needed. Airing reruns of the greatest hits from the 80s and early 90s just doesn’t work.
* Related…
* Washington: I cast my vote for . . . a runoff
* I-Team Report: The 50 percent factor
* Mayor’s race now in voters‘ hands
* Suburbanites still care about Chicago politics
* Mayoral race predictions
* Politicians go for ride with Ed Bus on mayoral campaign bandwagon
* Goose Island to temporarily outsource Honker’s, India Pale Ale: The outsourcing should only last until Goose Island finds a way to expand capacity in Chicago, Hall said.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 3:32 am
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–A black consensus candidate should have had the support of the influential black movers and shakers in the religious, business, civic, activist, and political arena — not because of black unity, but because of self-interest.–
I’m quite certain that those “leaders” who took a pass on Braun are acting in their own self-interests.
Jackson, Rush, Davis — thhose guys are old news. There’s a politician from the South Side who somehow made it to the White House without support of the self-proclaimed “consensus-builders.”
Still, it must ruin a good chicken-and-waffle lunch to have Jesse Jackson and Bobby Rush calling you out.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 6:33 am
I live in Will County. I try to follow Chicago politics as closely as I do my own Will County politics. I am a realist and know that Cook County and Chicago politics primarily determine Illinois state politics. Even though Chicago has seen a couple hundred thousand people flee the city to seek better lives for themselves and their families, Chicago’s politics still determines the fate of the state of Illinois.
Comment by Renaldo Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 7:43 am
Mannix will say or do anything at this point. He has a flawed candidate who has been running for over a year and they still can’t get their campaign off the ground. They have tried every dirty, negative campaign trick their feeble minds can come up with and they still won’t pull 30% of the vote. Amateurs!
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 8:21 am
Why the tired, ovrerplayed angle on African-american politics? Media pundits like you are a big reason why Latinos continue to enjoy the public perception and treatment of being white until it is no longer to their advantage of being so. On the ground in Chicago, you had best believe there have been some extremely spicy conversations about Chico being Latino “enough,” etc. Why are you focused on what seems to be your bent on deconstructing African Americans? As is suspected of many in the media, are you afraid of Latinos for some strange reason, as if they will swell their unending numbers and march against you?
Respectfully submitted…
Comment by callinguout Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 8:31 am
==Media pundits like you==
LOL!
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 8:34 am
I believe Will Burns, Will Davis, and Kwame Raoul are the real up and comers. Great talent.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 8:41 am
anon
Don’t forget Thaddeus Jones.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 8:43 am
As I recall, Braun was never picked as the “black consensus” candidate. She and Larry Rogers, Jr. were designated by the committee as “finalists”, though neither won. Danny Davis was ultimately selected.
Comment by Rudy Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:00 am
The Chicken and Waffle sounds like a real life Casablanca bar singing scene of the Germans vs. the French. Just needed “Food fight!”
Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:09 am
Or Anthony Beale. There are plenty of interesting, younger African-American political talents in Chicago today. But as even Barack Obama learned in 2000, you don’t usually move up by challenging someone more established; you almost have to find an open rung that nobody’s contesting.
Comment by ZC Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:24 am
But hasn’t everyone who’s worked on a campaign reached that point with one volunteer or another?
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:44 am
I’m glad the woman that went through the window was not seriously hurt. I witnessed a racial incident in Rogers Park in which a man was thrown through a window. The man was bleeding heavily and went into shock. This is a serious matter and I don’t see how it could be a stunt. Possibly the woman was wearing winter garments that protected her. She could have bled to death.
Comment by perplexed & perterbed Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:52 am
so with the 19th ward incident, we now have to amend the old Don Rose admonition about brick throwing into a campaign office….make sure you throw the body into the window from the outside.
Comment by amalia Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 9:59 am
Is anyone else looking forward to the day when Emanuel will eat a meal at home, provided he establishes a home with a full kitchen. Reading about his dining choices on a near daily basis is becoming a bore. Of course, he could be a guest host on WTTW’s “Check, Please.”
Comment by Esquire Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 10:02 am
Raoul was on berkowitz, very unimpressive. your analysis of the black political leadership was pretty spot on.
Comment by shore Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 10:17 am
The Rahm Beat …
Rahm needs 50% plus 1 to be elected Mayor after today’s round of voting.
To Wit: Everyone is trying to stop that.
The Upshot: Even Rahm’s own polls show him below the 50% mark.
The Backshot: No other candidate has a field organization to get THEIR voters out.
The End Shot: Will the African-American community pull another Alan Dixon stunner for Carol Mosely Braun?
Stay Tuned …
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 10:28 am
Mitchell might better see Braun tanking as a great sign - a bad candidate NOT garnering votes solely based on race/ethnicity seems a great step toward people being judged on character rather than skin color, like Dr. King dreamed of.
Comment by titan Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 10:30 am
I’m so tired of seeing everyone say Rahm is going to walk away with this simply because he had a TON of money. No no no. Rahm is walking away with this because he had money and relationships with money, a disciplined campaign and a controlled message. But all that still wouldn’t have been enough without a candidate that proved far better with people and far better as the overall package than many of us expected. And while he initially successfully chilled money for his opponents, his development as a candidate and the failures of his opponents helped solidify the magnitude of his money advantage.
Rich, you also hit the nail on the head about African American bench strength. When Dems got clobbered in 94 with the last vestiges of the previous generation as our candidates, we had the same problem. The better players were a couple of layers deep. Unfortunately, African American leadership in Chicago is lamentably weak or damaged (I would add Ricky Hendon to the list). Some of the more promising African American leaders in the state are just as likely to be suburbanites like Toi Hutchison as they are to be people like Will Burns, but they are one cycle removed from running statewide.
As for Carol, shot herself in the foot is the understatement of the year. Take away the income tax debacle and crack attack and you still have a painfully weak candidate. Which raises the other question - was she put up to this (without her knowledge) because Rahm et al were concerned about Rev. Meeks. Explains a lot.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:22 am
I am amused and delighted that in one of the most ethnically and racially and religiously structured cities in America, no one cares or comments on Rahm being Jewish.
Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:31 am
In retrospect, the ballot challenge to Emanuel might turn out to have been an all-or-nothing strategy.
I don’t know if those who pushed it realized that it would take all the oxygen out of the room for crucial weeks on end and make Emanuel a sympathetic figure.
A lot of weeks were lost where candidates could have been talking a lot about Emanuel’s many negatives.
Chico has been a much stronger candidate than I anticipated. He could have used that time.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:37 am
After spending all last night trying to spread rumors that the attack was a “throw and run” or an attack by someone from O’shea’s campaign, Dr. Anne owes an apology. Thankfully, the best man will win today.
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/3952249-522/1-charged-in-fight-outside-ward-office.html
Comment by CliffD Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:38 am
Renaldo, You think Will County is affected by Chicago politics. Try living in Berwyn within an easy walk of the city. In fact, last night I had a dream that Berwyn was also holding it’s mayoral election (it’s not) and I didn’t know any of the candidates because I had spent so much time watching Chicago’s race. I guess it’s the political junkie’s equivalent of the student’s nightmare of suddenly remembering a class you haven’t gone to all year and it’s finals day.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:39 am
Rahm’s “message” is to have no message. He’s the front runner and thus hasn’t said anything of actual substance the entire race. If one was voting on pure policy positions, Chico (shockingly) would be the guy.
If we learned anything for the last few months it’s that the black community needs to start promoting new talent (and that talent exists as anon pointed out) and not the same old guys.
We’ve also learned that the Latino community isn’t nearly as organized as some would like to believe, but there is leadership in the community.
Comment by 'Dale to HPark Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:41 am
My Church on the North Side of Chicago serves two precincts today. They are reporting low voter turnout and that the election judges are bored.
The usual problems with signs and palm card types blocking the driveway parking lot and school and church entrances still occur and will probably never change.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:42 am
I wish the article said what Bobby Rush and Jesse Jackson ordered for lunch at Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles — because if Danny Davis and James Meeks ordered the same thing, then we’d know it was half-baked and nauseating.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:44 am
I would like to see the media give Kwame Raoul and Will Burns more air time. Either will be an excellent successor to Rush at some point. I wish that point was a couple of years ago, but they have bright futures.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 11:57 am
=== are you afraid of Latinos for some strange reason, as if they will swell their unending numbers and march against you?===
LOL.
Obviously, you don’t hang around here much and don’t subscribe.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 12:00 pm
Nice to see Jackson and Rush showing their usual level of class.
Comment by ChicagoR Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 12:18 pm
Young Turner is on the up and up. Great guy with a bright future.
Comment by JohnQ Tuesday, Feb 22, 11 @ 1:22 pm