* Mary Mitchell…
The black community gave Mayor Rahm Emanuel a spanking in Tuesday’s election.
In 2011, Emanuel surprised political insiders when he racked up 50 percent of the black vote in majority black wards without kowtowing to nary a ward boss or community activist.
This time around, however, Emanuel struggled to shore up his support in the African-American community where some vowed early on to vote for anybody but Rahm.
* Mark Brown…
With 45 percent of Tuesday’s vote, Emanuel still has to be installed as the favorite, but his formula for getting to 50 percent plus one is every bit as complicated as Garcia’s.
Everyone who voted Tuesday made a statement about Emanuel. It’s less certain where they stand on Garcia.
That’s particularly true in the African-American community, where it now becomes a race to win over the approximately 25 percent of voters who picked businessman Willie Wilson.
Then there’s finding a way to motivate the two-thirds of registered voters who stayed home Tuesday.
* Tribune…
Emanuel’s failure to close the deal in the first round of voting despite such edges could stand as a rare humbling experience for a longtime Washington insider not known for humility.
The results also were an embarrassment for Obama, who used a trip home in the final days of the campaign to shower praise on his former White House chief of staff in remarks that were then quickly turned into an Emanuel campaign commercial. […]
If nothing else, the Emanuel-Garcia faceoff affords liberal critics of the mayor an opportunity to coalesce around a single challenger instead of carving up their support among several. Emanuel’s big fundraising edge is unlikely to disappear over the coming weeks, but Garcia also may gain a clearer platform to sell himself as a progressive alternative in the mold of his political mentor, the late Mayor Harold Washington, who remains an icon to many on left.
* Sun-Times…
Emanuel’s political beating was capped off by the fact that one incumbent alderman was defeated outright and nine others backed by the mayor’s super PAC were forced into runoffs. Even Patrick Daley Thompson, the nephew of Emanuel’s political mentor, was forced into a runoff in spite of support from Chicago Forward.
During an animated impromptu press conference, Frank Avila Jr., an attorney for Willie Wilson, claimed credit for the mayoral runoff.
“Without Willie Wilson in the race, Rahm Emanuel . . . would have been re-elected tonight,” Avila shouted. “Willie Wilson took it to Rahm Emanuel at his base with African-Americans and said Rahm was lying. At least a portion of those African-Americans listened to us.”
Even in the 13th Ward, where powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan is the ward committeeman who worked hard for Emanuel, the mayor got just 50.9 percent to 36.7 percent for Garcia. In the 19th Ward, another one of the handful of strong Democratic ward organizations, Emanuel got just 41.3 percent to 36.4 percent for Garcia.
Trying to win more than 50 percent of the vote against four challengers is a tall order. It was particularly challenging for a polarizing figure such as Rahm Emanuel.
* ABC 7…
“I think that a lot of support will flow to Rahm and some will flow to Chuy as a result of that. At the end of the day, I think Rahm wins that choice,” said David Axelrod, President Barack Obama’s former chief advisor.
“You had a multi-candidate race - a vigorous campaign. Each candidate had a constituency or constituencies. It’s hard to pull together an absolute majority in a situation like that,” Axelrod said.
Part of the reason for the runoff, is a very low voter turnout. In 2011, Emanuel got more 326,000 votes. This year, that number dropped off by nearly a third, to about 210,000 votes. That’s almost equal to the number of people who stayed home this year, compared to four years ago.
Emanuel spent over $10 million dollars and had major endorsers, including President Obama. But he isn’t wasting any time back on the campaign trail.
“We will get back out there, talking to friends and family and neighbors, as they make a critical choice,” Emanuel said.
* More Sun-Times…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s pick to replace former Ald. Sandi Jackson appeared Tuesday to be headed for an April runoff.
Ald. Natashia Holmes held a slim lead over her nearest challenger in the 7th Ward, Gregory Mitchell. But Holmes’ 25 percent of the vote with 93 percent of precincts reporting fell far short of the 50-percent-plus-one threshold needed to end her campaign in February. […]
Holmes will not be alone in the runoffs. Support from Emanuel’s Super PAC could not help some other incumbents on the far South Side end their campaigns Tuesday.
Ald. Lona Lane was nearly tied with Derrick Curtis in the 18th Ward, where both had 30 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
In the 10th Ward, Ald. John Pope appeared to be headed into a runoff with Susan Sadlowski Garza. Pope had 44 percent of the vote with 97 percent of precincts reporting. Garza had 24 percent of the vote.
And in the 17th Ward, Emanuel’s super PAC backed Glenda Franklin. But David Moore led with 53 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
* Former Quinnster Brooke Anderson on what Rahm needs to do now…
First, he needs to change the narrative immediately. To win decisively on April 7, Emanuel must make this race about a choice between two candidates – not a referendum on his last four years.
This runoff allows both candidates to appeal to the broader electorate. There will be more debates, more substance, and more scrutiny as to who is better prepared to lead the city for the next four years.
Making this election about a choice also means that we should expect the Emanuel campaign to aggressively amp up their efforts to define Garcia. (I’ll be surprised if they don’t have new attack ads up before the weekend.)
Second, eating some humble pie right now could do the mayor some good.
Fairly or not, there’s a perception out there — advocated by his critics — that the mayor doesn’t listen to the concerns of everyday people. Those flames get fanned when his supporters bankroll a Super PAC to snuff out any opposition to his agenda or when he blows off media questions in the days leading up to the election (Opinion leaders and many in the media energetically rooted for a run-off).
Thoughts?
* Other stuff…
* Results
* Interactive: Mayoral race margin of victory in each precinct
* VIDEO: Jesus “Chuy” Garcia: “We’re Going to Build a New Chicago”
- ZC - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:05 am:
My thought is Rahm could really use a presidential library about now.
- AnonymousOne - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:07 am:
Rahm and Rauner have the same approach. Offend as many people as you can then expect cooperation from those offended. New style of politics.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:11 am:
===First, he needs to change the narrative immediately. To win decisively on April 7, Emanuel must make this race about a choice between two candidates – not a referendum on his last four years.===
Yep.
If the race is a choice between Rahm and Chuy, Rahn has the edge, like Rahm would have the edge against the other 3 too.
Rahm wins in a one on one race.
If the Narrative is “Do we want Rahm?” and that is an “up or down” vote, Rahm is in trouble.
That’s the ball game now;
“One on One” versus “Referendum”
Rahm had the money to define Chuy, to make the clear case in their differences, and make the choice on Chuy versus Rahm.
Chuy just needs to make it “Do we want another 4 years?”
Yeah, pretty easy. Piece of cake…
These next 6 weeks, with the Aldermanic runoffs too, today, last night, both really need to start tgat campaign calendar backwards, which is something you reall focus on when you have a Ground Game.
This fight for the narrative, the fight for the “discussion” is going to be fought on TV, sure, but it will be won in the Wards, and won in those neighborhoods, precinct by precinct.
Love these type of races.
- Quiet Sage - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:12 am:
Nearly every vote cast for a candidate other than Emanuel was an anti-Rahm vote. Money advantage means less when there is only one opposing candidate who will get tons of media coverage (especially as the press is not enamored with Emanuel). At best, Emanuel has equal odds with Garcia. More likely, it is an uphill climb for him at this point.
- better days - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:12 am:
Mayor Rhambo just had his president sights on 2020….. go dark lol
- scotty in Chicago - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:13 am:
I still think Rahm is the better of the two candidates, but he has got to shake the ‘Mayor 1%’ thing right away.
- so... - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:13 am:
Well I don’t know if I’d be taking Brooke’s advice, considering her track record.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:14 am:
I think the most interesting thing about yesterday’s elections in Chicago was the fact that so many of Rahm’s hand-picked, financially-backed candidates lost or were forced into runoffs.
That suggests that the electorate is thinking in terms of policies, not merely personalities, which could mean trouble for Rahm (though I still think he’ll pull it off).
Will this make him think twice about what he does and how he does it? That I doubt, but we can hope.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:16 am:
Hard to concentrate on politics when Derrick and Kane both go down within a span of two hours.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:17 am:
===Well I don’t know if I’d be taking Brooke’s advice, considering her track record.===
You’re right. Considering the “Anyone but Quinn” thingy and actually living it, seeing how not doing enough for Quinn to make it a race…
You’re right. Except that Brooke’s right…other than that…
- Decision time!!! - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:18 am:
Who will the other candidates support? That could be the game changer, especially Wilson’s support.
- ??? - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:18 am:
Until Garcia got into the race, the Sun-Times was giving lots of coverage to Fioretti. I admit, I hadn’t been following the polling in the weeks leading up to the election, but I was surprised Fioretti’s showing (7%, behind Willie Wilson) was so awful. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, but dang.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:18 am:
I’d be getting a TV spot up on Rahm and Rauner drinking wine on his Ranch real soon. Garcia also backs an Elected School board. He oughta run with that with pictures of students walking long distances to still open schools on unplowed sidewalks this last month.
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:22 am:
==My thought is Rahm could really use a presidential library about now.==
Polar opposite. No mention of the Library, Lucas Museum or the DePaul Area until after the election. Rahm needs to push infrastructure improvements in the neighborhoods. New water main, street and alley resurfacing, neighborhood parks. The people want to see some of their tax money spent where they live. And less school closings.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:23 am:
@Quiet Sage: “(especially as the press is not enamored with Emanuel)”
Other than the fact that the press endorsed him. Did you see the Trib this morning? They’re blaming his being forced into a run-off on the electorate rejecting “tough love”. The press still loves Rahm.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:24 am:
=Hard to concentrate on politics when Derrick and Kane both go down within a span of two hours.=
I pictured Rahm finding out he was in a run off, the instrumental bridge from Eric Clapton’s Layla playing and Rose and Kane being the first to get whacked.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:24 am:
Rahm should listen to Brooke. She knows how to lose.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:24 am:
The aldermanic election runoffs will be fun to watch…will the incumbents run away from Rahm? Will the anti-Rahm voters coalesce around the opposition? GOTV efforts loom large.
As a former Lincoln Park resident, I look forward to seeing Michele Smith lose her job in April.
Also curious to see how much more money CTU pours into Chuy’s campaign.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:25 am:
Decision Time: All except Dock Wallis endorsed Chuy last night. Dock not sold on Chuy…
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:26 am:
=Who will the other candidates support? That could be the game changer, especially Wilson’s support.=
Wilson’s concession speech took pride in hurting Emanuel, spoke against school closings and red light cameras, and he supposedly talked to Garcia already with talk of supporting him if he won. Now, I don’t know if he supporters go with him, but I think it’s clear who he’ll throw his backing behind.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:27 am:
=Decision Time: All except Dock Wallis endorsed Chuy last night. Dock not sold on Chuy…=
That’s cause he knows if Chuy wins, he’ll have to run against him in 4 years.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:27 am:
Chey received 37 votes from my family. All 37 of us, brothers, sisters, in laws, nieces, nephews, adult children, our Mother, all of us voted for Chey. We are liberal Democrats. German Irish Hungarian Catholics and all voted for Rahm last time around. He fooled us once, not again.
By the way, we have Chicago Teachers in our family. Yes, end of story.
- Stones - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:29 am:
I anticipated the runoff but thought Rahm would end up closer to 50% than the 45% that he received. My sense is that he is in real trouble now. It’s going to be interesting between now and April.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:29 am:
No kidding, Michelle. Unfortunately, as usual, she’s issuing vague platitudes rather than anything of substance.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:31 am:
===We are liberal Democrats. German Irish Hungarian Catholics and all voted for Rahm last time around. He fooled us once, not again.===
This is Rahm’s biggest hurdle…
- ZC - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:35 am:
==My thought is Rahm could really use a presidential library about now.==
>> Polar opposite. No mention of the Library, Lucas Museum or the DePaul Area until after the election.
Well for the record, I’m with you on Lucas Museum and DePaul Arena. I put the library in a separate category though.
- walker - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:35 am:
All but a couple of the old ward campaign machines are dead and gone.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:35 am:
Emanuel can’t count on the African American vote, but it’s hard to see how Garcia attracts a significant number to vote for him.
- ChiTown Seven - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:36 am:
The thing that should most frighten Rahm (and that could lead to his defeat) is the emergence of a coherent Progressive anti-incumbent movement in both the mayoral and aldermanic races, such as “Let’s elect a Council who will work with Chuy.” Such a movement could re-ignite the sense of a Harold Progressive Movement redux; the need to prevent a “Council War” between progressive and the old-style machine; and a presumed (and therefore inevitable) Chuy victory. All of those “anti-machine” and “anti-Rahm” aldermanic candidates lining up with Chuy to TAKE BACK OUR CITY could be devastating for poor Mayor 1%.
- Leroy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:37 am:
The amount of profanity probably being spewed at city hall today would make Lee Elia blush.
- Anonymoiis - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:41 am:
For as much play and buzz as the Pesident gets coming to town to endorse major candidates (rightly so)…he sure doesn’t seem to have the influence one might expect to energize people to get out for his favored candidate (Rahm this year, Quinn last November, Giannoulias in 2010).
- jpromi2 - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:43 am:
Come on, we call know the real reason why the election is continuing for another 6 weeks…………a groundhog in Chicago saw his shadow yesterday.
- Mittuns - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:48 am:
Imagine the presidential debates Rahm and Rauner could have… live from the Montana ranch amongst the barley and switchgrass.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:49 am:
This says so much more about the instability of the electorate than it does about any one candidate. And with 5 to choose from, the frustration was able to manifest itself more widely. The organized vote went to Chuy or Rahm. The rest got scattered. My guess is that we won’t see a huge voter turnout in April either. There are a number of folks who express their frustration by simply not voting. I’m not sure anything has changed to change their views.
Chuy benefited from frustrated voters. He didn’t do enough clarifying to make himself a choice (except to teacher’s unions, some SEIU and some angry school parents) They were just following the line. It’s hard to imagine his message getting much clearer over the next 6 weeks. Actually, they’ll have to invent one, because there is no discernible one in play.
Brooke is right. Rahm has a key advantage in a one on one that doesn’t cause him to go on the attack against an AA candidate. He’ll shore up his AA voting numbers in April, but they still won’t get to where they once were. But they’ll be plenty enough to win. His bigger problem may be the loss of invincibility with his city caucus members in the GA. They could wander more than usual.
A tough day for Rahm. It’s the voters who are expressing their frustration with the entire system.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:52 am:
First, he needs to change the narrative immediately. To win decisively on April 7, Emanuel must make this race about a choice between two candidates – not a referendum on his last four years.
It is disingenuous and the reason politics completely sucks today is this approach.
Incumbents can win by reconnecting with their winning voter bases. Supporters will return to you more easily than converting voters into supporters. Incumbents not only have the financial advantage of having built a network to win before, they also have other networks within media and neighborhoods. To have governed, they needed to have kept these networks functioning and maintained.
Incumbents win when they remind their voter base why they voted for them previously. It is better for our communities when incumbents run on their record and promote once again, their goals. Voters will support an incumbent they still believe in. Incumbents need to run on their record and show accountability for their tenure in office. When incumbents run for reelection, the election is a referendum on their accomplishments and where they need to take the communities in the future. This is how mandates are created for governing and how stability within governments is accomplished.
Then there is the bad way to win. You turn the race into a mud bath, demonize opponents, and twist everything into a pathetic, disgusting mess. Voters are left to choose between candidates that have failed to offer them a choice beyond the filthy lies they hurled at one another. Mandates are not created, accountability for communities problems are not addressed, and instability is created with political wins like this.
Any incumbent who makes his opponent the issue, instead of running on their record and accepting the responsibilities of their tenure in office, should be ran out of town after being painted in tar and covered in feathers. Incumbents who do this during reelection bids are failing their supporters and citizens. Incumbents who do this should never be returned to office.
There is a right way to win and a wrong way. When incumbents run the wrong way, everyone loses except possibly the incumbent. When they run the right way, everyone wins - even if they do not.
Running for public office means sacrifices and humilities. Incumbents unwilling to defend their record of accomplishments in office, or simply cannot give voters reasons to vote for themselves - should not be returned to office.
A political win isn’t good for anyone when candidates make their opponents a campaign issue.
Demand better government, get better government. Follow Brooke’s advice and we will never get better government.
- Wormhole - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:53 am:
Rahm needs to appeal to his base of voters to turnout in the runoff.
What’s his base?
The CTU smells blood in the water and is already raising dollars to defeat Rahm - unless Chuy really steps on it with African-American voters or has a terrible skeleton in his closet that was not used yet - he will give Rahmfather the run of his life.
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:53 am:
This is NOT about ’sending a message’ or Rahm finding a ‘new message.’ This is about electing a new mayor!
- lot of laughs - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:56 am:
Rahm spent millions trying to make the voters dislike the others as much as they dislike him. You can’t put lipstick on a pig and you can’t make a guy likeable who isnt’ Rahm is going to have problems.
- Very Fed Up - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:57 am:
At this point Chuy has not offered anything other than a blank check to the teachers union who is backing him. Will be curious to hear more about his plans for tourism, business development etc
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:58 am:
–Harold Washington Progressive Movement redux–
Better get cracking. In 1983, voter turnout in both the Democratic primary and general election approached 80 percent.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:01 am:
Well, I think the media was looking for a run-off in part since it gives them a story for 6 weeks as well as significant additional revenues…
Wonder if Brooke has some suggestions for Chuy like calling him Millionaire Rahm or stuff like that.
Also if Ronny Woo-Woo is at your victory thing and showing up in live shots on the 10 pm news, you may need to rethink some campaign stuff.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:01 am:
In 2011, Rahm pulled in 326,331 votes.
Yesterday, he got 208,305.
That 36% plunge should panic Emanuel’s team.
– MrJM
- 1776 - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:04 am:
Quinn took Brooke’s advice and made it about two candidates - and LOST. And he had a much better last four years than Rahm.
- DuPage - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:07 am:
On TV last night Rahm looked like a deer in the headlights.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:08 am:
From what I can see from the results, Emanuel did roughly 40% and above in almost every African American ward (and looks like he won a plurality in all of them), so it’s hard to say that they ’spanked’ him. Write that column after the runoff, if the other 60% of those voters go to Chuy.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:11 am:
Rahm thus far, has run a horrible campaign. First thing needs to do is look at his staff and make an adjustment or two. It’s not working. It’s astounding how badly Rahm’s campaign has been.
It will be very interesting to see how the next six weeks shake out. Chuy’s gotta convince people that he can run the city. Rahm’s gotta convince people that he’ll listen to people. Tall order for both.
Finally, Rahm’s 45% is flat out horrible and I’m not sure he’s the favorite.
- Happy Gun Owner - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:16 am:
I am surprised that Brooke could write an entire opinion piece on Rahm and not once call him a “multi-millionaire”. Does the class warfare not play well for her when it is Dem v. Dem?
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:19 am:
Mr.JM, I think Emanuel’s precipitous drop off can be attributed to people getting to know him and his priorities.
Ten million spent and 208,000 votes comes to about $48 a vote.
And again, all that dough and 208,000 votes out of a 1.4 million registered voter base.
This ain’t no juggernaut.
- CLJ - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:21 am:
Rahm’s problem is that his management style and personality has trumped the work that has been done by the administration to fix the absolute disaster the city is in and the cotastrophe the city is facing if the painful decisions are not made. Rahm needs to make a clear delination on what he has been doing to fix the city’s problems with Chuy’s proposals. Chicago’s situation doesn’t get any better when you toss in the state’s problems.
As I used to like to say at the end of very ugly meetings about what is needed to fix the disaster “thankfully I get to cross the state border each night to go home.” Watching from a distance now, while entertaining, there should be real concern about who has the best answers, not the best personality, to get the job done.
- Tim - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:22 am:
Century Club @ 10:08am
=== it’s hard to say that they ’spanked’ him. ===
Agreed. Illinois Election Data had a great post-mortem. Emanuel won 42% overall in majority African-American wards (as determined by census data).
http://illinoiselectiondata.com/?p=524
- Steve - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:22 am:
Garcia did incredibly well. I think Garica has a 50% of winning even if he’s outspent again.Voters know Rahm. People don’t like Rahm. Stephen Spielberg money isn’t going to help Rahm. It will be interesting to see the next poll on the race and how many undecided there are.
- D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:24 am:
How much is Rahm suffering from buyer’s remorse over Brucie?
- Niles Township - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:24 am:
It has been years since I lived in the city so I hesittate to comment too strongly, but I struggle a bit with this result. Emanuel is not the nicest guy in world. He fails the old beer test. But, he actually has just begun to clean up the mess that mayors before (mainly Daley) got the city into. He isn’t the best communicator, but he is making the right decisions generally in my view. The school closings was the right thing to do (Mary Mitchell even admitted this yesterday during an interview), but messed up the communication of it (also from Mitchell). My friend Chuy may be a good guy, but saying yes to every expense while not cracking the whip during these difficult times is not what we need right now.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:24 am:
In the 19 wards that are going to Aldermanic runoff Rahm did slightly better than his citywide average and those wards should have higher turnout than the rest come April.
Also, the black wards are where the highest number of non-Rahm, non-Garcia voters are and Rahm beat Garcia 42-26 in those wards. For Garcia to win he basically has to win almost all the up for grabs votes now.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Niles Township
Rahm has not cracked down on spending. He’s raised fees through the roof so in some ways he’s the flipside of Rauner, but the school closings were a mistake and are costing the city much more money than we were told. Not building that ridiculous DePaul Stadium and not taking out ridiculous loans to pay for short term expenses like pre-k would also go a big way towards righting the city financially. Look how many no-bid contracts Rahm has given to his donors. There’s a lot of waste there.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:49 am:
My thoughts…
Karen Lewis might have whipped him if she hadn’t fallen ill…
Old man Daley’s machine is sputtering at long last….
Latinos are at the precipice of leading Chicago, the old boy white Irish network is on its way out…
Ed Burke lives to ride another term…
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:51 am:
It is always an ‘education’ to see how runoff Rahm’s peps, jay Levine and Dr. Paul green spin their ‘predictions.’
- Elder - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 10:59 am:
I am struck by the fact that none of the newspapers speak of the possibility of much greater turnout in April, and how this is disadvantageous to Rahm. Part of the low turnout was due to Rahm’s very superbly crafted narrative of invincibility. Many, many prominent community leaders who supported Chuy covertly kept their mouths shut about it. Privately even the Garcia campaign insiders considered a Rahm squeaker victory likely. The weather was atrocious. All of that combines to depress turnout among the poor, the cynical, the hopeless (a very large part of the electorate). And all of that is blown to smithereens now. There could be MUCH higher turnout in April, and they will NOT be coming to the polls to put Mayor 1% (Likability) back into office. If Rahm thinks he had to work hard during January and February….!
- 60611 - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:01 am:
The Captain has put his finger on it. This is going to come down to: 1) the African-American vote and 2) turnout.
Rahm may get next to none of the Fioretti voters but he can get some of the Wilson voters. Hispanic turnout may increase now — and Rahm could even lose some Hispanic voters who voted for him yesterday. Rahm may need to squeeze extra votes from “his” wards from people who didn’t bother to vote yesterday. And for what it’s worth, the weather will be better in April.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:02 am:
“The black community gave Mayor Rahm Emanuel a spanking in Tuesday’s election.”
[phone ringing]
President Obama: “Hello Rahm…are you crying?”
Rahm: “President, please talk to Michelle and convince her to pick Chicago for your library. I really need the Africsn-American vote.”
Obama: “Now Rahm…uh…you know how…uh…Michelle feels about you and she’s thinking about…uuuhh…New York for the library.”
Rahm: #&$?#**!!! After all I did for you…??!!!
Michelle: “Honey, hang up on him. He’s a rude jerk.”
[click]
- Steve - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:03 am:
What Elder is saying here has a lot of truth to it. If you didn’t like Rahm in February are you going to like him in April?
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:07 am:
What it comes down to is what is better:
A significantly humbled Rahm?
An unprepared Chuy who could completely redefine utter confusion in a city strapped with issues?
Rahm wins by 10-12 points and remains sufficiently humiliated and cautious for a while. The city keeps running without a learning curve no one could afford.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:15 am:
=== walker - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 9:35 am:
All but a couple of the old ward campaign machines are dead and gone.====
It’s true Walk. Some of them, I’m convinced were purposely “idling” yesterday. I think we’ll have a better inventory in April as to how many are still truly viable.
- Ethan Hawk - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:17 am:
Rahm is going to have to come up with some pretty substantial negative ads on Garcia to stop Garcia’s momentum. Garcia will pull the other candidate’s votes as they were “votes against Rahm” rather than “votes for the other candidates”. Rahm discovered a hug from Obama doesn’t carry the same weight that it used to carry with Chicago voters. Rahm might even be forced to actively seek out and embrace the few Republican voters that are to be found in Chicago. This will definitely be an interesting and exciting Chicago mayoral election reminiscent of when Harold Washington surprised everyone with his win.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:19 am:
– a learning curve no one could afford–
The old Indispensable Man gag. Thought Richie killed that theory after he blew all the one-time money from the parking meters and Skyway.
Emanuel was just steeped in the inner workings of the city before he became mayor. It’s well-known that he had spent weeks at a time living in Chicago during his adult life.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:20 am:
@A guy. Chuy unprepared? He’s Preckwinkle’s floor leader at County Hall. He chairs two of the top committees; Real Estate/Business/Economic Development; and Criminal Justice. He’s been involved in politics, mostly state legislature and county board, for 30 years. Say what you will about policies, but he’s not short of experience.
- The Historian - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:22 am:
Might anyone opine what % of today’s Chicago electorate is old enough to remember 1987 if not 1983? If Chuy can invoke the spirit of Harold, & if he has enough African American ‘validators’ to invoke that parallel throughout the black community, Rahm’s toast.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:25 am:
Everyone: Please stop saying that Rahm has started to fix the city’s fiscal mess. He has not and if anything he’s made it worse. Rahm punted on many of the toughest fiscal decisions over the last four years, which is another reason why he’s in trouble.
And other than the 42 and 43 wards, what’s Rahm’s base? Where are any new Rahm votes going to come from? This really is shaping up to be a six week push from Chuy to convince people he can run Chicago, if he can, Rahm’s gonna lose.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:27 am:
@Ethan Hawk; the other problem with the Obama endorsement is that Chicago’s political geography doesn’t fit it. Obama is a middle-of-the-road Democrat; Emanuel slightly to Obama’s right. Fioretti explored how much space there is to the right of Emanuel in Chicago, and the answer is — very little. This election is in a leftward dynamic where the view on Obama is basically, “OK as far as it goes, but we need a much bigger step.”
- Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:30 am:
Hmmn, Willie Wilson or Barack Obama?
Gosh, I wonder which of those endorsements will matter more?
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:31 am:
=Rahm wins by 10-12 points and remains sufficiently humiliated and cautious for a while. The city keeps running without a learning curve no one could afford.=
Rahm didn’t even hit 12 percent last night. He won’t do it in a runoff. So many of the other candidate’s votes were votes against Rahm. Rahm will redouble his efforts and he has the money to get voters out, but a lot of people who can’t stand Rahm stayed home because they were convinced Rahm’s victory was inevitable. Rahm will have to massively increase turnout just to get to 50%
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:34 am:
Angry Chicagoan - Chuy is a nice guy, but please don’t conflate chairing meaningless County Board committees (and they are all meaningless, except the Finance Committee) which having management experience. That’s a joke.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:34 am:
@The Historian; the core of the institutional memory of the Washington movement of the 1980s in the black community is still here. The Eugene Sawyer machine loyalist axis has died off; the younger folks who don’t remember it much have moved to the suburbs or to other cities in search of better opportunities or cheaper housing, or else fall into the category of African Americans already in Emanuel’s camp. And these former Washington foot soldiers now in their 50s, 60s and 70s voted at very high rates in recent presidential and statewide elections and now have another opportunity in an election that suddenly matters.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:37 am:
Also — and I really don’t get this aspect of the Rahm campaign — why the dependence on totally empty oppo research? He has both achievements under his belt that deserve to be mentioned, and questionable policies that need to be explained, and he has discussed precisely none of this.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:39 am:
@Anon 11:34, first, come up with a handle. Second, floor leader is significant, especially in this context, and of course you don’t address that.
- Emily Booth - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:40 am:
WGN radio said 85% of the voters yesterday answered the question re: an elected school board.
I’m hoping Rahm learned something from this primary election. I’m not sure that he did.
- CLJ - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:40 am:
=Chuy unprepared? He’s Preckwinkle’s floor leader at County Hall.=
Being Preckwinkle’s floor leader is akin to being a hall monitor in an elementary school.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:40 am:
One thing to keep in mind is that with three opponents (sorry Doc, but you don’t count) Rahm did not focus negative attacks on any one candidate.
He did a bit of a scattershot approach, even sending one out against Fioretti (and not to digress, but it was great seeing Bob get 8% for mayor in the 2nd Ward and his minion a footnote in the race for Alderman).
Rahm also made no apparent effort to increase turnout in areas he likely will own. In the 42nd Ward, we heard next to nothing. We could barely tell there was an election.
Both those factors will change in April. Expect Rahm to kick Chuy around every chance he gets. This is going to be one heck of a negative campaign. I also expect that my neighbors will finally hear that we have elections in 2015.
Don’t underestimate the Mayor. There is definitely room to go up.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:42 am:
“but I was surprised Fioretti’s showing (7%, behind Willie Wilson) was so awful. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, but dang.”
The only Fioretti sign I saw on the North side the whole time was one stuck in a big grey messy snow pile.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Carharrt Rep makes a good point regarding turnout.
With Emanuel’s inevitability now gone, it’s a brand new ball game for the anti-vote.
The incumbent with all the money got 208,000 votes. That’s weak by any standard.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:49 am:
I’m fairly certain that’s not the proper use of “fairly” for that sentence.
- Not it - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:50 am:
Everyone is making hay that the Mayor couldn’t get 50% yesterday. Well, the Mayor had three other “legitimate” opponents compared with only two last time. He also had a record this time with plenty of negative campaigning opportunities. No candidate would be able to get 50% with those odds.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 11:51 am:
@CLJ; I thought that was probably a better description of things on the City Council at present, regime triage maybe but still basically a continuation for Daley allies. At county, there was actual regime change in 2010, even if I have to agree that things have been pretty uneventful since.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
One special interest group and it’s allies is backing Garcia. It had an impressive showing yesterday but I think it also found its ceiling. Expect Emmanuel to highlight what a CTU-controlled administration would look like and how it would cost Chicagoans.
Does anyone think a huge property tax increase automatically results in better schools next year? Me neither.
Don’t write Emanuel’s political obituary just yet. Game on.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:23 pm:
So a CTU controlled administration? With 40 anti-CTU votes in the council and a Governor who has made them public enemy number one vs. the unchecked bankster controlled administration of Emanuel. I think I’d be willing to take that fight to the voters.
- The Historian - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
Has anyone else noted how Rahm’s folks this AM refused to tell the press ahead of time which L stop he’d be at? Worried about reporters seeing him get dissed by people & then that becoming the flavor of the day?
- Belle - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:36 pm:
dna headline said it
“Chicagoans give Rahm something he hasn’t had in awhile—a middle finger”
Rahm seems to be Daley on steroids for many voters.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
Amen 47.
- chigal - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
Brooke’s take on Emmanuel is a fair one, especially given that his approach is often harsher than it needs to be. And those who watched closely know that Quinn didn’t always listen to her…
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
According to the map at DNA Chicago, Rahm carried his own ward with 51.2%. That means that roughly half of his neighbors who voted want someone else.
- Rod - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
The politics of race and social class will likely make it impossible for Commissioner Garcia to win. There is no reason to believe that non-Mexican Hispanics turned out in big numbers for Garcia.
There are around 530,000 residents or so of the City of Chicago who are from Mexican ancestry and approximately 102,700 Puerto Ricans living in the city. There are according to the American Community Survey (ACS) a good number of people listed as Hispanic living in Chicago who are from Central America (primarily from Guatemala and Ecuador). Chicago’s most prominent Puerto Rican Congressman Gutierrez supported Emanuel. Rahm Emanuel also gained the support of many Central Americans by offering temporary shelter for up to 1,000 unaccompanied, undocumented Central American children who crossed the southern border to enter the country in July.
Overall the data is pretty clear that in Chicago’s African American wards those that did show up to vote rarely voted for Garcia, there is no reason to expect he can make big inroads into that community by April. The data is also very clear that the more heavily white higher income lake front wards where I live went overwhelming for Emanuel although with a weak turn out. There is also no major politician representing Chicago’s gay community that has come out for Commissioner Garcia. The CTU itself is divided by race and without President Karen running there is no evidence they can move significant numbers of African Americans into Commissioner Garcia’s camp.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
The other thing is, how much does this damage the ‘fear’ that Rahm can instill in folks politically, win or lose.
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm:
Cherl44, you can’t blame Rahm’s neighbors for that considering all the crime on his street.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Will Toni Preckwinkle endorse Chuy now? Could help a bit.
- ZC - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
It begins with a candidate.
Chuy Garcia’s the most interesting challenger to an incumbent Chicago mayor we’ve had in a long while; Karen Lewis picked well. He’s, well, really likeable. I voted for Rahm and I find it impossible to dislike Chuy. There’s just something kind of “authentically Chicagoan” about him.
Contrast with Fioretti, or even yes Willie Wilson - Rahm would have coasted to 50%+1 had a candidate like Chuy not gotten into the mix. But now it’s a race. I also think advantage Rahm, still … but I thought Hillary Clinton would beat Obama, until IA happened and he became OBAMA.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
Just a thought, but Chuy, Fioretti and Wilson combined to get over 50% of the vote yesterday. If he can get that coalition out to vote, Chuy can make it a race. Obviously that’s oversimplifying things - and it’s not all clear where new voters will go - but this is not a done deal.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
“a learning curve no one could afford.”
A Guy, I believe you may have an underdeveloped sense of irony.
– MrJM
- moddem - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
If the electorate is the same in April, Garcia would have to win almost 80% of the votes from the other candidates to carry the election. That’s not impossible, but it’s really hard. However, if people get interested, and the turnout is substantially higher, Rahm could be in real trouble.
- Nick with his stick - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 2:17 pm:
Where’s our gun range Ramh?
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
=== MrJM - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
“a learning curve no one could afford.”
A Guy, I believe you may have an underdeveloped sense of irony.
– MrJM====
Make your case for the Chuy Administration. I’m listening. Don’t forget to include the part about Karen Lewis insisting on a huge property tax increase for CTU and the dough to cover those 1000 extra cops. One guy’s deathly afraid to raise property taxes, that would be the guy people have paid attention to, whether they like him or not.
The other just said he’d hire a 1000 cops and help Karen Lewis achieve her goals. He’s the guy no one was listening to until today.
So work it out for me. Might be hard to do in one line, but hey, if anyone can do it….
- Gerson - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
“From the ‘Dale to HP” is spot on. Emanuel has in fact been presided over a fiscal disaster of the first order–Moody’s has downgraded Chicago’s debt four notches under Emanuel’s watch after Chicago had achieved nothing but credit upgrades starting from the Harold Washington Admin (thanks in part to the ‘87 budget that Chuy Garcia’s election made possible and that MRE’s clueless oppo team has criticized). Emanuel has engaged in expensive giveaways like Maggie Daley Park, umpteen TIF-subsidized Mariano’s, the TIF-subsidized Hyatt Hotel in HP, the DePaul Stadium, giving away land to the Lucas Museum, the no-bid contracts, the sweetheart outdoor ad deal with JC Decaux, the expensive use of high-interest taxable debt on operating expenses, and poor management of expensive derivatives. With Rauner threatening to cut revenue sharing with the city, the new hole in the budget may lead to another credit downgrade. Another downgrade will have further explosive consequences for city finances because many of Emanuel’s interest rate swaps can be put back to the city with just one more downward notch by Moody’s.
One other thought: all of this stuff about Rahm being able to make “tough” decisions is a charade. Face it: the people who face the downside consequences of Rahm’s decisions always happen to be the poorer, less powerful parts of the city. Under Rahm, the wealthier precincts never get any downside. In what way have wealthier neighborhoods ever lost ANYTHING from one of Rahm’s “tough” decisions. This is why the Mayor 1% monicker suits him so well.
- Belle - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 2:20 pm:
Rahm and Garcia’s biggest issue will be getting people to the polls.
With less than 33% coming out in relatively decent winter weather to vote for the Mayor and all 50 Aldermen, what percentage will April bring? Whatever number it is, it will definitely be smaller.
That tiny percentage is another issue–why are people so lazy or not interested in something very important?
- Chris - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
“Rahm and Garcia’s biggest issue will be getting people to the polls.”
Note that the April polling date is during spring break for CPS AND city catholic schools. Not sure who that favors (probably Chuy), but it *will* make a difference.
- Under Further Review - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
It is good to see some discussion on the Chicago mayoral race here.
Last week, I visited a coffee shop restaurant and was surprised to see that a framed photo of Emanuel and one of the owners had been removed.
When I inquired, I was told that Emanuel had visited the diner while campaigning in 2011, but Chuy was the only mayoral candidate to work the restaurant in 2015.
Being forced to a run-off election is the first setback that Emanuel has ever endured in politics. Will he learn to behave and act humble?
One friend of mine from the suburbs observed that Emanuel sometimes behaved as campaigning was beneath him and that he deserved a coronation.
- Cheryl P - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
“relatively decent winter weather”
Not everyone voted on Election Day. The last week and a half of the early voting period was not decent winter weather.
- Under Further Review - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Would any of the number crunchers estimate how much Emanuel spent for each vote that he received yesterday?
- Under Further Review - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
My bad. Wordslinger had the per vote tab at $48 per ballot.
- NewWestSuburbanGop'er - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Hooray for Chuy!
- Enviro - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
Rahm Emanuel no longer has the advantage of inevitability. This will bring out more voters who want a mayor who is for the people, but believed their vote didn’t matter. It could be an advantage for Garcia who has a vast amount of experience in government.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
===It could be an advantage for Garcia who has a vast amount of experience in government.====
Just to maintain a little perspective, it’s one of the top 20 executive responsibility jobs in the country. Vast is a relative term. I’d suggest it’s not nearly vast enough.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:11 pm:
Guy, for a little perspective, where can we find your Top 20 list?
- MrJM - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
“Make your case for the Chuy Administration.”
Easy: Chuy pays for everything with a phantasmagorical pension reform plan that he says would save at least $2.2 billion in the first year
– MrJM
- plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:34 pm:
Now that it is a 1 on 1 contest, perhaps either candidate can describe on how they will get the money to finance their visions.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
- Quinn didn’t always listen to her… -
Thank goodness for that, would have been an even worse beating.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:53 pm:
=== Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:11 pm:
Guy, for a little perspective, where can we find your Top 20 list?===
There are several states bigger than Chicago. Let’s say 10, without me having to Google it. There are 2 larger cities. That would put it in the top 20 executive jobs in the country to me. OK? You’re welcome. Jeesh man.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
MrJM. You must have misunderstood. I said Chuy Administration, not the one you’re alluding to in a humorous way. I’m a bit upset at myself for enjoying your response. I’ll get over it. lol
- Buzzie - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
Emanuel can win by not only supporting, but actually pushing an elected Chicago School Board. He can hand-pick the candidates just like he does for aldermen vacancies. His weakness (although he doesn’t believe it) is education because of the strike and school closures; the elected school board would be perceived as a positive action. Almost always a stupid move to take a negative position per an education-related issue; angry parents don’t forget and will vote against the perceived transgressor.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 4:59 pm:
Sorry, Guy, you made it sound like you were referencing something.
- Aldermanic Panic - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 5:33 pm:
“We Are Going to Build a New Chicago” sounds exactly like “fundamentally transforming America” by you know who. An elected school board totally beholden to the CTU? Third World values dictating all decisions on the Fifth Floor? Go to school on “Chuy.” You will yearn for the Rahmster. Never thought I’d say that, but “Chuy” makes DiBlasio look like Pat Buchanan.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 5:37 pm:
AP, as an Emanuel supporter, can you expand on what you mean by Garcia’s “Third World values?”
I’m at a loss.
- low level - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 5:43 pm:
Great that Brooke gives nothing but free advice. That’s all it’s worth.
- Aldermanic Panic - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 5:50 pm:
Word. There was a question mark after the query. Will there be support for fundamentally transforming our city into a hellhole? A sanctuary city where people are encouraged to break the threshold of the law is a start. Chuy has a history of being extremely left wing. So does Emanuel, but he seems to throw a bone to the business community once in a while.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 5:57 pm:
AP, what do you mean by “Third World values?” What is the definition of the phrase that you chose? What are some examples of those “values” and how are they practically applied?
In other words, what are you talking about?
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 6:09 pm:
AP, help me out with that “sanctuary city” reference as well.
That ordinance passed in 1985. What does that have to do with the upcoming election?
Take me to school on these things. You’re being obtuse. Just spit it out.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 6:31 pm:
This is the first time I have ever not voted. Why bother ? We all figured Rahm would win. This can’t be good news for Rahm. Now there actually is a reason to go out and vote in April.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 6:50 pm:
As Word referenced, what does AP mean by “third world values”?
Aldermanic Panic, here’s a hint — veiled racist remarks will not help your guy in most areas of the city.
- Emily Booth - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 7:03 pm:
It’s not only the mayoral election, its the entire slate of Rahm supported aldermanic candidates that are also going into run-off elections. The voters turned their back on Rahm.
Not even Deb Mell made 50%.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 25, 15 @ 7:11 pm:
And Emily? Deb Mell came within about 40 votes of winning outright despite multiple stories over the past week reminding voters that Mell was the sister in law to Blago.
When ties to Blago are the lead story and you still almost win outright, you’ve done OK.
- justjoe - Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:55 pm:
I proudly voted for Chuy and I’ll do it again. I hope he raises tons of cash and beats Rahm BADLY. I read Bill Kelly’s article on the 50 schools Rahm is going to close next and it ticked me off enough that I voted. 9,000 likes on it - I guess I wasn’t the only one.