Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Unclear on the concept
Next Post: Question of the day
Posted in:
* Tammy Duckworth won all but two wards in Chicago this month, and she only lost those (Ald. Michelle Harris’ 8th and Ald. Ed Burke’s 14th) by a combined 1100 votes or so (mostly in Burke’s ward). She lost just one Cook County township, Cicero, but by less than 100 votes.
Duckworth didn’t campaign as much as some would’ve liked her to, but she did far more campaigning than Sen. Mark Kirk. And her massive win last Tuesday probably made her feel pretty comfortable setting up an African-American “unity” breakfast, particularly after Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Secretary of State Jesse White and US Reps. Bobby Rush, Robin Kelly and Danny Davis all agreed to attend.
* But some folks still felt left out, and they aren’t happy about it. Sneed…
Sneed has learned a major boycott of a black unity breakfast in Chicago on Monday for U.S. Senate Dem primary winner Tammy Duckworth is being hatched by City Council and state legislative black caucuses.
“Why would we want to express unity with Tammy Duckworth, who was selected for that spot by the Washington insiders at the Democratic National Campaign Committee?” said a powerful member of the City Council’s 18-member black caucus who asked to remain off-the-record.
Sneed is told a hush-hush meeting of aldermanic and state caucus members, who had endorsed Andrea Zopp for the U.S. Senate seat, met recently in Hyde Park to discuss the boycott of the Duckworth event, which sources claim was organized by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Secretary of State Jesse White, who supported Duckworth’s primary candidacy.
Word is the boycott support group includes powerful State Sen. Kwame Raoul, State Sen. Kim Lightford, State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, Ald. Howard Brookins (21st), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) and Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th).
“It was taken for granted we would suck it all up — her candidacy — and it was patently unfair,” the source added.
* Politico…
Duckworth also met with Zopp on Monday to discuss moving beyond the primary, the official said.
Still, Alderman Roderick Sawyer said Duckworth scheduled the unity event before many members of the City Council and Legislative Black Caucuses were invited.
“I think that’s evidence of how there is a disconnect between the Duckworth campaign and communities of color. I think that’s incorrect and disrespectful,” Sawyer told POLITICO Illinois. “My understanding is that we had agreed that we were not going to attend the event. We were going to try to find (another) time, if she’s willing, to give her the opportunity to talk about what her plans are and to ask for our endorsement.” […]
Sawyer complained that Duckworth spent too little time campaigning in Chicago and the metropolitan area during the primary at a time when the city’s black population is battling Mayor Rahm Emanuel over policing issues. The city’s black leaders may also be treading more carefully after strongly supporting Emanuel in the 2015 mayoral contest only to have it backfire on them, with issues of race and social injustice dominating the city since his re-election.
“Often times in elections like this, our vote makes a difference. I think that it should not be taken for granted,” Sawyer said.
Duckworth defeated two African-American candidates, so it’s understandable that their former high-profile supporters would want the courtesy of a sitdown before a unity event. This race could be close, and she’ll obviously need all the support she can get.
Even so, there’s zero danger of Duckworth losing any African-American wards and townships, and it’s even highly unlikely that all that many voters can be convinced to stay home during a presidential year or skip over a high-level ballot spot like Senator.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:41 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Unclear on the concept
Next Post: Question of the day
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
You have to believe the Kirk “missteps” in the AA Community will be reinforced often during the campaign…
You have to “believe” that….
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:45 pm
A similar refrain bubbled up last election cycle as well, directed towards Pat Quinn and some others.
As pointed out, however, this is likely of little consequence to Duckworth’s election outlook. This discontent may be a symptom of some larger issues within the state party, but is unlikely to sway any major election any time soon.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:46 pm
With Trump at the top of the ticket, Duckworth will soon be Senator Duckworth.
Comment by Fusion Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:47 pm
But I think Ms.Duckworth will run strong in the Syrian community.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:51 pm
–“Why would we want to express unity with Tammy Duckworth, who was selected for that spot by the Washington insiders at the Democratic National Campaign Committee?” said a powerful member of the City Council’s 18-member black caucus who asked to remain off-the-record.–
I’m pretty sure she was selected by primary voters.
Duckworth - 1.2 million, 64.4%
Zopp - 447,000, 24%
Harris - 216,000, 11.6%
If some of these “leaders” believe their communities are best served with McConnell as Senate majority leader, have at it.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:52 pm
So after supporting Zopp, who was nothing but a shill for Rahm on the Chicago Board of Education, they’re going to get all huffy about Duckworth? Really?
Comment by Eugene Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 12:58 pm
The irony is Hillary Clinton did the exact same thing, especially if you connect the dots to how close her and Rahm are
Also seeing the boycott list there seem to be internal problems and past election history as well
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:01 pm
–But I think Ms.Duckworth will run strong in the Syrian community.–
Still confused by that whole “citizen” and “refugee” difference, I see.
Maybe a few more days thinking on it.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:03 pm
When it comes to the African-American vote, the question isn’t whether the Dems will win it, it’s turnout. John Kerry made next to no outreach to African-American voters in 2004 - turnout was strong, but had it been a smidgen more in Ohio he’d have been president.
Absent something unforeseen at the presidential level I don’t think it’ll make a difference in this race. Tammy is a lucky ducky. (sorry)
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:03 pm
I agree with folks here suggesting that the Caucus can’t just pick up their ball and go home on a US Senate race because of the larger implications, but Rep. Duckworth is doing an objectively lousy job of campaigning throughout Illinois, particularly Chicago. Her campaign is coming across as entitled and disingenuous. Again, not enough to prevent you to vote for her in the general, but you won’t do it with a smile.
Comment by Curious Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:06 pm
The black caucus members need to get over themselves. Obviously their endorsements do not matter much to their constituents since only one majority African American ward went for Zopp.
Comment by Anonymouth Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:08 pm
It’s just bad campaigning. Take the time to smooth things over before you move on to the general. And take some time to build unity before having a unity breakfast.
Or spend your news cycles deflecting stories like these. It’s not like this wasn’t predictable - especially in an election cycle that featured the Kim Foxx win and African Americans voters delivering Illinois for Hillary.
Comment by Century Club Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:10 pm
The Democrats always take advantage of the African-American vote, harvesting votes and giving little in return. But they have nowhere else to go as it’s obvious the Republicans don’t want them and they don’t want the Republicans, so in the end they do what the Dems tell them and accept the crumbs from the table. And the Dems know it.
Comment by Harry Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:16 pm
an entirely preventable problem if they had just made a few phone calls.
Comment by Peets Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:16 pm
Rich, thanks for defining precisely what “taken advantage of” means from the perspective of black voters.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:18 pm
===harvesting votes and giving little in return===
Meh.
Tell that to Kim Foxx, Jesse White, Toni Preckwinkle, Barack Obama, Harold Washington, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc,. etc.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Sloppy campaign work but at least she drives through the neighborhood at normal speed.
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:25 pm
You know who sat down with a lot of leaders in communities of color seeking support, and in some cases received it, Bruce Rauner? That’s what a sit down is worth.
Why don’t people see if they agree with her on issues, rather than get offended she didn’t stroke their egos by saying sorry for winning, and do it individually no less. I’m sure there’s some hurt feelings, but didn’t everyone know all along that Duckworth was going to win? Are these individuals going to vote for Mark Kirk? This is all rather pointless.
Comment by Me too Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:30 pm
LizPhairTax +1
Comment by Curious Georgina Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:38 pm
This is the danger for Hillary Clinton with Sander’s supporters in the general election (but with young voters and progressives, not African American voters). I really hope this does not happen.
Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:41 pm
LizPhairTax! Hilarious!
“Why don’t people see if they agree with her on issues”
That’s the point. And they want to do that before there’s a unity breakfast. Its not pointless. It needs to happen. I just find it amazing that people are offended that they had the nerve to say anything about it.
Comment by sideline watcher Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 1:47 pm
After watching Senator Kirk on TV, I believe his disability has rendered him unable to effectively represent the State of Illinois and even though I’m a Republican, I will be casting my ballot for Duckworth in November.
Comment by cgo75 Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Kirk just needs to promise Meeks a good job…..
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Similar backlash has been going on for some time now with Democratic candidates courting Hispanic and younger voters instead of the African American community. I imagine this practice will continue until African Americans start abandoning the Democrats, which I can’t see happening. We all saw the attacks on Dunkin and Meeks for “collaborating” with Rauner, so this “boycott” is likely just a cry for attention.
Comment by Jon Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 3:20 pm
After listening to Duckworth discuss Syrian immigrants, I believe her lack of intelligence renders her unable to effectively represent the state of Illinois and even though I am a Democrat, I will be casting my ballet for Kirk in November.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Mark Kirk’s point man with the Black Community in 2010 was Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin. Has anybody heard whether he will be sticking with Kirk or will he go with Duckworth?
The risk of endorsing Kirk for re-election is that he will get attacked for being a shadow Republican when he runs for Danny Davis’ seat after the Congressman retires
Comment by Grand Avenue Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Duckworth will loose
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Tell that to Kim Foxx, Jesse White, Toni Preckwinkle, Barack Obama, Harold Washington, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc,. etc.
An overuse of the “we were disrespected” when in reality Ms. Zopp couldn’t get 10% of the vote south of Route 30 against a wounded veteran and sitting congresswoman.
Comment by Roscoe Tom Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 4:25 pm
===Duckworth will loose ===
A misspelled drive-by. My least favorite type of comment. Congratulations, goofball.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 24, 16 @ 4:28 pm