From the AP:
Cook County Democrats on Tuesday chose Chicago Alderman Todd Stroger to replace his ailing father on the November ballot for county board president.
The Democrats met Tuesday in Chicago to consider two candidates — Todd Stroger and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis– to fill the spot on the ballot left by retiring Cook County Board President John Stroger, who’s been recovering from the stroke he suffered a week before the March primary.
Both Todd Stroger and Davis had numerous Democrat leaders speak on their behalf during a nearly two-hour meeting of the Cook County Democratic Party’s Central Committee, but members overwhelmingly voted for the younger Stroger.
UPDATE: Tribune:
Stroger and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) were the only two candidates placed in nomination in a stifling, crowded third-floor room at the Hotel Allegro downtown, the longtime meeting place of county Democrats.
Stroger got 77 percent of the weighted vote of Chicago ward and suburban Cook County commissioners. Davis got 23 percent.
Stroger told committeemen of his background as a legislator and an alderman and said he has “a genuine passion for county government” and would not use the position as a “stepping stone” for a higher office.
UPDATE: CBS2:
On Monday, Davis said his plan had been to tell the committeemen something he said they need to hear. Specifically, that their arrogant, back-room maneuvering in recent weeks has hurt the entire ticket.
“It’s going to be difficult to get the kind of turnout that we’re looking for November. And Rod Blagojevich could be in serious difficulty,” Davis said. […]
“Some people say that Todd Stroger is not entitled to his job because of his name,†said Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). “That’s garbage.â€
UPDATE: Zorn, on whether voters will cross over:
40 percent is best that a Republican candidate has done in a Cook County Board president’s race since the 1960s.
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 1:57 pm:
Perhaps if Danny K. is for Kwazy Davis had trimmed his mustache, he’d have gotten the nod. So will Todd the Young or Storger II be a non voting board member if the voters are truly idiots and he wins in Nov?
Ricardo my good man, is would you be a gent and post a tally of the votes. Or was it obvious that Dangerous Danny Davis didn’t have the votes and bowed out gracefully?
- Crook County - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:01 pm:
Stunning
- Hobson's Choice - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:06 pm:
Sickening.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:11 pm:
In other news Todd Stroger announces his budget reduction plan — Cook County will save $$$ by only having to change the first name on all the county signs bearing his Dad’s name.
- Tom Suffredin - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:13 pm:
This is such a proud day for all of the children of Cook County politicians with dubious qualifications. I own some suits, I went to school, I know where the county building is. I cannot wait until I get to take my daddy’s job, too! Who’ll be my Bill Beavers? Any takers? A sad and predictable end to strange and sorted tale. Write in ANYBODY ELSE in November. We all deserve better than this.
- Bill - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:15 pm:
You can put it on the board.YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
The committeemen did the right thing and put the most qualified person, Todd Stroger, on the ballot. Todd is a hard worker and has a stelar record as legislator and alderman and will make a great President.
Todd will provide Cook County with the same fine leadership that his father did.
Let the camapign begin.
- MyDaddyDidn'tLeaveMeanOffice - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:20 pm:
Hate to break it to you, but it was Todd’s father’s “fine leadership” that produced the “surprise” $200 Million budget deficit and all the other problems with county government. How will the twin-headed monster of Junior Stroger and Dollar Bill Beavers balance the budget and reward all the committeemen for their votes without raising taxes?
- Bubs - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:41 pm:
As a Republican, a strong supporter of reform in Chicago government, and a Rabid Dog Supporter of Tony Peraica, I can only say,
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just can’t believe that the Democrats were this dumb!
Claypool volunteers are already flocking to Peraica. Game on!!!!!!
- MAGGIE - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:42 pm:
Is anyone going to post the names of the committee
men or women who voted for this ?
- HANKSTER - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:44 pm:
This will be the first time I wont be voting Dem. Little boy Stroger wont be winning this race. It is sad, but that means Peraica will be there for one term before a real candidate can actually be elected.
- MAGGIE - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:45 pm:
If it was my alderman-committee man I’m sure my neighbors would like to know. Perhaps I’ll send out a flyer to make sure everyone knows if he was part of this.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:48 pm:
The ball is in the court of the lakefront liberals. Heck, I wonder if West Side Democrats are going to support Prince Todd.
In Anthony Peraica We Trust!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:49 pm:
Bill, whatever your smoking send ten pounds of it over to me.
Yeash. Just when I thought Cook County politics could sink no further into the swamp…
- MAGGIE - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 2:54 pm:
ANOTHER PROUD DAY IN ILLINOIS POLITICS.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:00 pm:
I like how he reassured everyone he wasn’t going to be looking for a higher office… like he had a snowball’s chance at one anyway.
- Gonzo Claypool - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:07 pm:
Guess my chances at this legacy game are doomed, unless I can mount a REALLY BIG write-in campaign for Forrest…
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:08 pm:
“Todd will provide Cook County with the same fine leadership that his father did.” Yeah, like having hospitals named after him! What did John Stroger really do? Come on now!!! (P.S. John Stroger did not go to John Stroger hospital… fine, quality leadership….)
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:10 pm:
Toddy boy for Gov in 2010?
- Bubs - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:12 pm:
QUIZ SHOW TIME!!
Q. Todd Stroger’s self-described “genuine passion for county government” is obviously reflected in his:
A. Pervious county government positions? (hint - none.)
B.Previous campaigns for county office? Answer: none.
Previous participation in citizen’s groups addressing issues of County Government? Answer: none.
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:13 pm:
Todd Stroger or Danny Davis?
With the “winner” to face Tony “No abortion but no other ideas” Peraica?
Cook County never had a chance.
Both parties completely blew this one.
Gorman is a right wing extremist, but at least she would have had some credibility. I could have held my nose and voted for her. But Peraica? No way. Stroger? No way.
And if I find out that Burton Natarus voted for Stroger, then no way on Burton in 2007.
- Niles Township - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:13 pm:
This Dem is voting for Tony Peraica. Enough is enough!
- bored now - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:16 pm:
natarus did indeed vote for stroger.
lou lang recognized that his voters wanted him to vote for davis, but he cast his for stroger anyway.
- Establishment Republican - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:28 pm:
I hear that the drinks tonight are on Tony.
- Establishment Republican - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:29 pm:
Does anyone have the breakdown they can link to of how the 80 people voted?
Did John Stroger have an actual vote as Commiteeman for his ward or what?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:37 pm:
I wonder how our newest ‘reform’ committeeman, Alderman Flores voted or the lakefront committeemen for that matter. In the bigger sense, this is just baaaad for the Democratic Party. Or, who knows, maybe this is what it will take to wake people up and elect real people that will actually represent VOTERS and not just themselves.
- bored now - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:40 pm:
stroger gave beavers his proxy. he was not the only person not there. ald. stone wasn’t there, either. there were a handful of other missing voters, as well.
i *believe* flores voted for davis, but i don’t remember this clearly. he was the first of the votes called, but i *think* he voted for davis before a long line of committeeman voted for stroger.
- Rich Township - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:41 pm:
This Dem is also voting for Peraica. I’m disgusted beyond words.
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:45 pm:
Skeet, is anyone slightly to the right of you not an extremist? Juss axin. Perhaps you are the extremist supporting a goof like Natarus.
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 3:56 pm:
With all the Stroger bashing (well deserved) let’s not lose sight of another matter: This was a no-win for Cook County, since Danny Davis is an old time liberal in the way that FoxNews wants to portray all Democrats. He is a big government guy who would have been a miserable choice for County Board President. The only virtue of voting for him would be to get him out of Congress.
The County lost when Claypool lost, and lost again when Steele pulled out.
Wumpus: Peraica wants to ban all abortions, and Gorman is not far off on that issue. That makes then extremists. No abortion for rape or incest? Extremist.
- fly on the wall - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:06 pm:
(also submitted as a comment on Eric Zorn’s blog (link: http://tinyurl.com/g7cq8))
I was at the meeting, and I have a full list of Chicago committeemen and how they voted, but I wasn’t able to hear clearly how all of the township committeemen voted. Here are all the votes for Davis that I’m aware of:
1st Ward–Manny Flores
15th Ward–Ted Thomas
16th Ward–Shirley Coleman
22nd Ward–Ricardo Munoz
24th Ward–Michael Chandler
26th Ward–Roberto Maldonado
28th Ward–Ed Smith
29th Ward–Ike Carothers
33rd Ward–Dick Mell
35th Ward–Rey Colon
37th Ward–Emma Mitts
48th Ward–Mike Volini
Evanston Twp–Jeff Schoenberg
Oak Park Twp–Don Harmon
Palatine Twp–Sue Walton
Proviso Twp–Karen Yarborough
Wheeling Twp–Patrick Botterman
Peg Roth, the 43rd Ward committeeman, voted present.
All others voted for Todd Stroger (unless there were additional Davis votes among the township committeemen which I couldn’t hear–and there were also a few absences among the townships).
Just for everyone’s information, until a better list comes along.
- Political Junkie - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:11 pm:
I don’t understand what all the teeth gnashing and breast beating is all about. This can’t be that big of a surprise. After all, politics is a “family” business.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:20 pm:
fly,
Does that mean that Claypool’s committeeman, Ald. Schulter, voted for Stroger? Mighty strange if that’s the case.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:29 pm:
Wonder how Todd feels about raising property taxes.
Bobbie Steele didn’t seem to rule out a property tax increase, which was making me a tad nervous when she was in the running.
Todd won’t cut the waste and featherbedding and patronage, but his Dad did find alternatives to raising property taxes and one can only hope Todd has absorbed this approach at the family dinner table.
In order for Peraica to win, a huge number of white reform Democrats in the city and suburbs would have to split their ballots. It won’t happen. The desire to for a dramatic Democratic win in the national midterms will be the priority and most won’t bother to split their tickets…for Peraica or for JBT, Blago’s patronage shenanigans notwithstanding.
- Randall Sherman, Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:30 pm:
For the record, Todd Stroger has worked in county government before. He was a clerk in the Office of the Jury Commissioners for nearly two years in the early 1990s (just before he ran for the Illinois House in 1992). I know that because he sat right in front of me in that office.
Does that experience make Todd Stroger qualified to be President of the Cook County Board? The answer to that question is likely the same as to the question, “Will there be a World Series victory celebration at Clark & Addison Streets this October?”
- Tom - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:31 pm:
Of the alderman on that committeeman list who voted for Davis, will Daley send the patronage armies out to defeat them in ‘07, or will he soft pedal it since the Feds are all over his administration?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:34 pm:
Tom,
Put a fork in the 5th floor patronage armies, their done.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:37 pm:
I meant ‘they’re’
- B Hicks - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:39 pm:
Boy, Bill; you really know how to get them stirred up. Keep up the good work!
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:39 pm:
“Some people say that Todd Stroger is not entitled to his job because of his name,†said Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). “That’s garbage.â€
So he is entitled to this because of his name, Lou Lang?
- HANKSTER - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:48 pm:
CASSANDRA: Did you really say John Stroger found alternative to raising property taxes? They went up all the time under his watch!!
- Bill Baar - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:49 pm:
well,,, after Danny Davis did the Rev Moon thing…
…I’m not so sure Todd Stroger that bad a choice for Dems if those were the only options…
sad comment on the party.
- fly on the wall - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 4:53 pm:
Does that mean that Claypool’s committeeman, Ald. Schulter, voted for Stroger? Mighty strange if that’s the case.
I agree, Anonymous 4:20. That is a little odd. Maybe Schulter is trying to get back in full good graces after backing Claypool in March. And props to Ald. Flores, who voted for Davis literally just minutes after being appointed as the 1st Ward committeeman by the Central Committee.
- notablagofan - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:10 pm:
I am confused. I am a democrat, but I’ll vote for a Republican if I think he’s the best candidate. I don’t think stroger was the best democratic candidate, but I do think he beats the biggot from North Riverside.
All of this has brought up the argument that kids of politicians seem to get the “jobs” over others. While I do think it is easier to get elected if you know the “process” and have some familiarity with campaigns, I also think that the famous father/son or daughter political teams that come out of Cook county aren’t a bunch of dummies. Take the Hynes — no one knew what the hell a Comptroller was until Hynes started to show people and increased transparency. The Lipinskis — I still think this “appointment” was a crock, but Lip Jr actually has a brain and has done some decent stuff for his constituents. And, probably most famous — the Madigan dynasty. Mike Madigan is a political genius and probably an extremely intelligent guy (never had a conversation with him, but you dont get to be where he is by being a dummy). His daughter, however, may just be the smartest Attny General/politician this State has ever seen. She’s defended and progressed Illinois further than another elected politician from the past decade.
The point — there is a point — you shouldn’t be precluded from running just bcuz your father served in government. In fact, you should be held to a higher standard bcuz you’re expected to know more than the other guy who’s new to government and leadership.
So, I dont know Stoger Jr at all, and doubt I’ll ever have a conversation with him, but I would like to be sure that we at least give some respect to the father/son or daughter teams that deserve it.
- Bubs - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:19 pm:
Jeez, it didn’t take long for them to call Peraica a bigot, did it? I guess the Race Card is Lil’ Toddie’s only answer.
Note the results of Zorn’s online poll - very unscientific, but still ominous for Stroger. 575 Democratic repondents said they would cross over to Periaca, compared to 75 that said they would stay in line and vote for Stroger.
- Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:22 pm:
Looks like most agree Todd will be a fine candidate again the guy who may or not be the EddieV plant. Most agree once in the tank with EddieV you can never get out.
- Scott A - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:34 pm:
I believe this defintely hurts Blagoevich. Even a tiny loss in Chicago Votes hurts him in November. Rod is despised Downstate for not Living in Springfied by the Democrats also. If West side Blacks sit this out , Rod is toast.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 5:52 pm:
I attended the slatemaking session. Based upon feedback I got at recent meetings in
Evanston and the 49th ward, the outcome was a foregone conclusion,
Clearly, the Committemen used something other than an objective assessment of qualifications as their selection criteria - it’s all about jobs and contracts. Todd Stroger will be a puppet operating out of his depth, much like Eugene Sawyer.
Although I preferred Davis or Steele or Brown or anyone else, I’ll be supporting Todd Stroger for Cook County Baord President now that he has the nomination.
Peraica has an interesting biography. But he appears to be totally unelectable in a liberal jurisdiction like Cook County notwithstanding the potential for a sizeable protest vote.
Peraica is a wing-nut and a loose cannon. His mouth will be his worst enemy.
Despite their desire for reform, lakefront liberals probably will be unable to stomach Peraica when they get to know more about him. They are more likely to abstain than to vote for Peraica.
Claypool voters, I feel your pain. But we need to get over it. Forest Claypool lost the election fair and square. Despite the distasteful successor selection criteria, process and outcome,we need to bite the bullet, support Todd Stroger, and look forward to the next election.
Todd Stroger will be a one-term President. He will be unable to win renomination just like Michael Bilandic and Eugene Sawyer. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men will be unable to reelect Todd Stroger again in March 2010.
- wndycty - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:07 pm:
I will not vote for Todd Stroger. Today the Democratic committeemen and women have proven to me that THE DON’T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE of Cook County, they only care about power.
When it comes to the Cook County Board Presidency I will leave that office blank. Tony Peraica is MISERABLE HUMAN BEING, I could never vote him either.
- Phil M - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:07 pm:
Why have elections?
- Snidely Whiplash - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:18 pm:
Geez, I’ve already seen Peraica called a bigot, a wingnut and a Vrdolyak plant (gimme some of your whackyweed, will ya?) by people who just refuse to cite actual reasons for these allegations. The Machine’s out in full force already.
- Snidely Whiplash - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:22 pm:
Anyone who votes to “legitimize” this blatant power grab should forever forfeit his or her right to vote. I’m sorry, but even in a democracy, I don’t think one should have the right to “vote out” democracy and replace it with totalitarianism. The majority of voters aren’t public employees, and quite frankly aren’t very well informed or politically astute. That’s what these guys thrive on. Educate and empower yourselves, people.
- wndycty - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:31 pm:
Snidely, if Tony does not like the way he is perceived it might make sense for him to change the way he behaves.
- anon - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:35 pm:
Are voters going to. Feed the machine in the 21st century?
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 6:52 pm:
John Kass was right. How exactly is Tony a bigot? Is it not racist to demand that the new cook cnty brd prez be black?
Someone explain how Peracia is a bigot. I know it will take some though, perhaps even some creative reasoning, but now he is a bigot extremist. you dems have nothing.
- Len O'Connor - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 8:14 pm:
Perica reminds me of Pat Quinn, much loved by the populace and hated by the political party establishment.
The Dems have to try to dirty up Perica, call him a racist, an extremist, etc. They hope that nothing else comes out like the Fox News report of Todd using his Aldermanic office for fundraising. I see a commerical “Do you want a Toddler Running County Government†VoteTony06.………………………..and I am Len O’Connor
- fed up - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 8:24 pm:
I am a lifelong Democarat who will be casting a lot of votes for Republicans in November. There was just no comparison between Danny Davis, an accomplished man, and Todd who.
- respectful - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 8:29 pm:
If Claypool Democrats want reform, they can only get it by voting for Peraica, which would not give the GOP control of the county board. Or they can vote for Stroger the Younger and get more of what they got from the old man.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 8:43 pm:
I was at the meeting…the impassioned speech
by the Committeewoman from the 6th Ward was a crock…just because this kind of crap happens outside Cook County (political dynasty making) in NO WAY LEGITIMIZES THE PRACTICE. Sweet pensions for Beavers and Steele (who folded, please don’t bother giving her the reins for 4 months–just commence with the circus), and protection of Daddy’s Stroger’s patronage army.
Best speeches for Cong. Davis by Sens. Harmon and Schoenberg…almost half the voters in Cook County voted for reform in March …neither candidate was a perfect fit in this regard, but there was a bit of hope with Davis at the helm…the Dem Party of Cook County has major fence mending to do.
One observation of the new President is that he lacks the ego and bombastic personality of his Dad. Let’s hope he is quick on the uptake (nd ignores Beavers as much as is humanly possible)and listens to others in County government who will be able to better advise him and get him up to speed ASAP. Are we done with this now please?
- Schiznitz - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:09 pm:
I think the Peraica Campaign can finally breath again. I don’t think they wanted Davis or Steele.
What a dream set-up, a perfect storm if you will, for Peraica. His policies are almost identical to Claypools. Claypool lost 48-52, yet the Claypool supporters won’t forget by November. Stroger has a debilitating stroke and the Dems not only slate the worst candidate but almost the nepotism of slating the son.
The Dems are fighting amongst themselves, the Republicans are showing some activity in Cook, and Patrick Fitzgerald shut down the patronage armies.
This is Ogilvie II, but Peraica actually has more name recognition.
Peraica wins with 52% of the vote. You heard it here first.
- Rod's Brush - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:25 pm:
Interesting that this new part of the soap opera got lost in the mix:
Chicago Tribune- 07/18/2006
“Also Monday, a political activist, Carl Hamilton, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeking to have a judge order a new primary election, charging party officials conspired to hide Stroger’s condition so they could choose his successor. Hamilton, who said he is the director of a political committee called Council on Voter Education and Voter Responsibility, filed the lawsuit without a lawyer.”
- Reality Check - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 10:42 pm:
The reality that Zorn points out is simply too true: Peraica can’t possibly get more than a bit over 40%, and I’m not sure he can get that. He is also the wrong candidate to inspire crossover, even if a Republican could. This is Cook County, people
- silas - assassin opus dei monk - Tuesday, Jul 18, 06 @ 11:38 pm:
Are we in Cuba? I thought Fidel and the commies were the only ones known to do what transpired today. Props to the non-HDO committeemen who voted against Stroger! They have the testicular virility to showcase true representation of their constituents, unlike their puppet latino counterparts.
- PalosParkBob - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 12:35 am:
The big question is “Who’s Juniors operator(s)?” If it’s Daley and Madigan, stick a fork in Peraica.
If it’s only Beavers and the “other” South Side cabal, Peraica’s got a chance with Daley and Madigan’s tacit support or neutrality.
If Junior buys a deal by “kicking up” to the Daley and Madigan machine like Papa did, there’s no reason for a November election. It’s done.
- Caligula's Horse - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 2:04 am:
Is Illinois and Cook County prepared to embrace the modern era? Or Hinky Dink Kenna still laughing?
If the answer to the firstquestion is No, then we’re in for 4 months of canards like-
On the south side, he’swith Eddy V. get it?
On the north side, he’s a wing nut get it?
On the west side, he’s a reformer get it?
On the southwest side he’s off the boat get it?
On the northwest side he’s scary get it?
On the southeast side he’s against Eddie get it?
In the suburbs he talks funny get it?
And then there’s Mideast Policy.
And Federal Deficits.
And Oil Reserves in Alaska.
And Roe v. Wade.
And Don’t ask don’t tell.
And supreme court nominations.
And on and on and on– get it?
The rats are trapped. Fitz is on the case, the machine has a very poor succesion plan, they’re gonna throw evrything they can including women and children and then they’ll claim that Peraica couldn’t get anything done–but fail to mention the cook county dem cabal.
Forget Dems and Reps– this is about a decadent empire that holds the voters in contempt. Who better than an individual like Peraica. The central question is not have you had enough but rather,have we no shame?
- the ole preceinct captain - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 4:17 am:
If Peracia is so loved then how come he almost lost his committeeman’s seat to a nobody? He won by less than 100 votes. This is not good. He’ll lose just like Topinka because the republicans are in such disaray and have their own internal problems. If the republicans had it together they could get some dissatisfied Dem’s together and really make a showing but it is highly unlikely.
- Seen it all - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 9:41 am:
Hey the old preceint captain:
Sensing their upcoming “problem” the republicrtas and thire machine hack ddemocrat friends threw everything they had at Peraica’s committeman’s race–and couldn’t get it done. Now they’re at the final frontier.
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 9:46 am:
I believe that Stroger focused on raising fees, sin taxes, and so on, not the property tax.
At least over the last decade. It seems to me that Cook suburban property tax increase have been primarily school increases, not increases in the part of the property tax that goes to the county for the jail, hospital, and so on.
- franklyspeaking - Wednesday, Jul 19, 06 @ 3:16 pm:
Cassandra,finally someone with some sense sends a correct response. I would hope that all you republicans and other kill Stroger at any costs be it father or son, will finally look at your tax bills and see that, the county didnt raise your taxes, outside of the forrest preserve tax increase, that increased your taxes roughly six dollars per every 100,000. So maybe you should take your rising property tax issues to your local school districts. Better yet maybe you should demand that the county give you an itemized bill that lets you know exactly who is taxing you and the dollar amount. Its amazing how all of a sudden Todd Stroger isnt qualified, was Phalen qualified? How is Perica qualified when he only has four years of legislative experience vs. Todd Stroger’s 14? Lisa Madigan never took a case into the courtroom, yet she runs the State AG’s office. Although I wont subscribe to the its ok for the white kid, but for the black kid its a no no, but some of the folks validate what I refuse to subscribe to. I know that Todd Stroger will spank Tony Perica, heck who knows Perica could loose his county comm. seat to boot. This westsider will vote for Todd Stroger, and will be happy to laugh at all you anti Stroger people. Finally to the Claypool people get over it, he has now lost twice. Finally on the subject of how the committeemen picked Todd, how come there isnt this loud cry on how the county board picked Steele, where is the outcry of democracy now, oh my fault, your feeling of Todd takes over your thought process. Lastly if you dont like Cook County (which half of you probably dont live in Cook) then move out and stay out of our business. Stick with your Dupage, Sangamon, Dekalb, blah blah blah issues. Oh and the diaper people, you all have alot of nerve, there is a republican out of Peoria who is a state rep, that is much younger than Mr.Stroger. Leave the insults alone and stick with public policy issues.
- NoGiftsPlease - Thursday, Jul 20, 06 @ 8:44 pm:
I “crossed over” when Lipinski handed the ticket spot over to his son, and I’ll cross over on Stroger too. Qualifications, schmalifications. I’m a voter and I’m tired of being ripped off by the party. If Todd was such an excellent choice, he’d have been on the ticket already. As far as I’m concerned, this is just plain disenfranchisement and my only retaliation is to cross over.
- Bobby Douglas - Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:15 pm:
It should have been no surprise that Todd Stroger got the nomination. I know Democrats will cross over for Peraica but I do not see them crossing over for any other republican.
In my opinion the Dems did exactly what was expected all along. Judy Topinka and the republican state central committee, on the other hand, nominated Alan Keys (Senate 04). At least the Dems rewarded loyalty; the republicans slap theirs’ in the face.
Nobody knows how a person votes in the general election. Many loyal democrats will be voting for Peraica simply because he is, by far, a better choice. He is a reformer and Cook County needs that now more than anything else.
It is simply about LEADERSHIP, Tony has it, Todd does not.
As County Board President he will be in the majority bi-partisan reform movement. Peraica appeals to the Regan Democrat. 4 years from November, Peraica could be asking “Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?â€
I’m voting for Peraica.
About the Zorn Poll: It seems pretty accurate, only 20% in Cook County admit to leaning Republican. (P.S. I voted 3 extra times just to see the results)
Hut, Hut !