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* This is one of the biggest problems for Rep. Feigenholtz and Commissioner Mike Quigley in the 5th CD special election race… …

Feigenholtz sported a well-known cadre of supporters, including endorsements from Equality Illinois Political Director Rick Garcia and Art Johnston, a popular co-founder of the gay rights group. Feigenholtz is going head-to-head for the GLBT vote with Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.

One key endorsement is off the table. Ald. Tom “Sticky Buns” Tunney (44th) is taking a pass. Chicago’s first and only openly gay alderman and Ann Sather’s proprietor is a longtime friend and ally of both, so he is not endorsing, though he will do fund-raising for both.

They’re going to split that 44th Ward and gay-friendly vote. They both need to get outside their base, and they are trying. Whether they succeed will determine if they have a chance in the March primary. Quigley has the name, Feigenholtz has the money. Rep. John Fritchey has the troop advantage.

North Side and openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris is backing a strange bedfellow: 40th Ward Ald. Patrick O’Connor, Mayor Daley’s unofficial City Council floor leader and longtime Northwest Side pol. O’Connor launched his Council career in the 1980s as a member of the infamous “Vrdolyak 29,” the white ethnic bloc that stymied the city’s first black mayor at every turn.

That probably won’t dilute the Feigenholtz/Quigley base all that much, but it won’t help, either.

* Meanwhile, the Tribune will not give Rep. Fritchey a break. He gets the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsement while Feigenholtz is scoring the SEIU nod, so the Tribune hed reads thusly: “Unions divided in race to replace Emanuel.” There’s no analysis at all about how many union members are in the district (the unions backing Fritchey have far more in-district members than SEIU, for instance), or the relative strength that each union has (SEIU has a ton of bodies it can deploy at will, many of them experienced with precinct work, but the Chicago teachers and AFSCME are no slouches, either).

However, the real point is this: If a candidate is having trouble with the biggest newsaper in town, one should always keep an eye on that candidate because the trouble often spreads to other media outlets.

Feigenholtz, by the way, will be endorsed by UNITE/HERE this week. The union hasn’t been a gigantic player in ward politics, but it is with SEIU in the Change to Win splinter group and so will play a role in the campaign.

…CLARIFICATION… Local 1 of UNITE/HERE, which is the hotel/restaurant arm, endorsed Rep. Fritchey. As noted in Morning Shorts today, UNITE/HERE is pretty divided these days.

Fritchey won the endorsement of IVI/IPO over the weekend. That’s usually a great addition to a campaign mailer, but not so much as far as troops are concerned.

From PSB…

John has recently been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, IFT, AFSCME, the Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois, the American Muslim Task Force and the Illinois Committee for Honest Government, to name a few.”

Also, Tom Geoghegan is being endorsed by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committe. That will be good for a check and a press pop, but maybe not much else. We’ll see.

* Also via PSB, is a Sun-Times story that we missed several days ago…

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz is positioning herself as a progressive Democrat in the race to succeed Rahm Emanuel in Congress representing the North Side of Chicago and some of the west suburbs.

But one of her opponents is making sure voters know Feigenholtz’s name appears on two “clout lists” — lists of people who allegedly secured jobs for friends from then-Secretary of State George Ryan in the 1990s and from then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration.

State Rep. John Fritchey, a rival in the 5th Congressional District race, has been highlighting that connection in calls to voters.

Feigenholtz noted that Fritchey doesn’t mention that many elected officials in Illinois — including Emanuel, who is now President Obama’s White House chief of staff — also found their names on the list for acts as small as writing a letter of recommendation for people who got state jobs. That’s what Feigenholtz said landed her on both clout lists.

Add that to her missing the House ethics vote last week, toss in some expected controversy over her past campaign contributions and the nasty poll which stirred up a bit of ire and you can see a pattern develop, as least as far as campaigns are concerned. Nobody would ever actually come out and say that Feigenholtz is corrupt. They’ll just imply it.

Feigenholtz, however, can retaliate with misleading stuff like this, so it may all end up as a wash.

* Related…

* 5th CD Contact Database v 2.1

* IL-5: Endorsements And Non-Endorsements

* Fritchey Endorsed by IVI-IPO

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 11:36 am

Comments

===the unions backing Fritchey have far more in-district members than SEIU, for instance===

Not quite… there are an estimated 18,000 total union members in district, at least half of which belong to SEIU locals.

Comment by dave Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 11:56 am
Dave, I’ve seen numbers that dispute SEIU’s claim. IFT alone has something like 6K members in that district.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Sara has also built an amazing campaign organization in a short period of time. She has two offices open, including one in Portage Park, and has 17 paid staff on the campaign. She had 300+ volunteers engaged before SEIU endorsed, so her ground game will be tough to beat. Quigley has little money and few, if any endorsements. His name recognition won’t count for much if he can’t get on tv or have signficant direct mail. Its sad that Tunney is choosing to stay out of this race rather than throwing his support behind the one candidate from the 44th that can win.

Comment by uofcalum Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:06 pm
Quinn’s appointments set up a conflict with Budget and operating pressures. I doubt whether the public is in the mood to expand social services at this time. Who’s going to manage the state’s 56,000 employee enterprise?

Comment by Louis Howe Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:11 pm
The word on the street is that the AFL-CIO is sharply divided over Fritchey, so whether their endorsement still translates into alot of boots on the ground or cash remains to be seen.

The IFT, for example, may indeed have 6,000 members in the 5th Congressional District, most if not all of whom I would expect are Chicago Teacher’s Union members.

But lest we forget, the CTU has had a series of contentious leadership fights, so how much weight an endorsement letter from them will carry with rank-and-file members remains to be seen.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Fritchey won the endorsement of IVI/IPO over the weekend. That’s usually a great addition to a campaign mailer, but not so much as far as troops are concerned.

This will be a short media-heavy campaign, so I think it helps cover Fritchey’s ground campaign with a mantel of independance. It is a good thing for him to have as his campaign hits the airwaves.

With Blagojevich’s fall and Emanuel’s silence regarding his actions over the past two months, this race will be about replacing Emanuel. And everytime Emanuel’s name is brought up, ethics is also brought up in the back of voter’s minds.

Feigenholtz has the liberal creds and the traditional liberal votes going for her, as well as being the only female. But she doesn’t clearly break from the Blagojevich/Emanuel past regarding ethics, as much as Fritchey does. She has money for this kind of a campaign, but she is comes up short on the ground and on message.

This election will be a statement about ethics, and that is where Fritchey has appeal. Along with the IVI endorsement, he appears to be the progressive candidate with ethical creds.

There isn’t enough difference between Feigenholtz and Fritchey regarding their liberal records enough for Feigenholtz to stand out. A progressive voter who cares about replacing Blagojevich and Emanuel with an ethical US Representative will choose Fritchey over Feigenholtz. Feigenholtz will need to provide voters with a measurable way she is a better liberal to Fritchey, and I don’t think voter’s attitude is ramped up enough over those issues to make the sale she needs to make.

Look at the portionality of the voter democraphics. Feigenholtz needs Quigley voters and Fritchey/O’Connor voters to win, while Frichey only needs O’Connor voters to win. Quigley has been an active campaigner who is splitting Feigenholtz’ voter base. O’Connor has been less successful, so far in splitting the Fritchey/O’Connor voter base.

I still think Fritchey has the edge in this district when all the voting bases are split like they currently are.

We still have three weeks. If Feigenholtz continues to fumble in appearing open and honest, she hurts herself. This election, coming so soon after Blagojevich/Emanuel’s ethical questions and replacing Blagojevich/Emanuel themselves, may not be a “typical” US Congressional race right now.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Rich -

Regarding the Clout List ~ if memory serves, your name also appeared on George Ryan’s list. So was Rick Pearson’s, if I recall?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:22 pm
YDD, that’s correct. I was on that list. I wrote about it way back when. I never asked to be on the list and the person ID’d as the job hunter (my former wife) never got a job. Never got an interview either, as far as I can remember.

Can Sara say the same thing?

Also, I deleted your post at Illinoize several minutes ago. Very bad form on your part, man. You need to ID yourself as a Feigenholtz supporter/campaign person when you write grossly misleading posts like that. Actually, you need to do so any time you write about that race.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:29 pm
“Ald. Tom “Sticky Buns” Tunney”

you have got to be kidding me.

BTW, there are people not playing nice in this race and I imagine it will all come out.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:31 pm
Don’t do that Rich, you’ll just get him to max out to your opponent, The Springfield Newsletter that’s not Capitol Fax.

Comment by Tom B. Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:38 pm
I hear the IVI-IPO endorsement can almost be bought nowadays…rather meaningless…

Fritchey and Quigley are the real deal in this race…

Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:44 pm
What’s with Laura Washington?

“Sticky Buns?” Ann Sather’s restaurant lists its signature menu item as “Cinnamon Rolls,” so I know that’s not what she’s referring to.

“Strange bedfellows?” Give me a break.

They’re gay. I get it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:45 pm
What’s with Laura Washington?

“Sticky Buns?” Ann Sather’s restaurant lists its signature menu item as “Cinnamon Rolls,” so I know that’s not what she’s referring to.

“Strange bedfellows?” Give me a break.

They’re gay. I get it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:45 pm
VanMan,

You’re off the mark tagging Emanuel with an ethics problem in this race. I’ve spoken to folks inside more than one of the campaigns and different polls yield the same results: He’s very, very popular in the district.

uofcalum,

I am not sure having two offices and 17 paid staffers in what amounts to a 9-week primary is a sign of strength or a sign of a candidate who is a little quick to write a check. 17 paid staff on a congressional is far, far too many. And two offices in an urban district is unnecessary.

Not saying she hasn’t been very successful raising money or that she can’t/won’t win - obviously she’s a contender, maybe even the favorite. But the campaign, as you’ve described it anyway, is spend-happy.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:46 pm
for whom did the 48th ward committeeman vote for in the slating session, if anyone? is the Harris support for O’Connor
a 48th ward thing? that group is good at getting people elected.

Comment by Amy Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:50 pm
Sara remains the one credible woman candidate in the 5th — still sounds like a Jan Schakowsky style Congressional winner over two or more male opponents.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:59 pm
While Sara’s fundraising numbers are impressive, I still question how she will be able to improve on her base, given the western boundaries of the district. I am really enjoying Fritchey, Quigley and Sara bash each other on ethics. Perhaps the mudslinging will allow Charlie or Tom to win the primary with 12% of the vote???

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:19 pm
“You need to ID yourself as a Feigenholtz supporter/campaign person … any time you write about that race.”

so, who do you like in the 5th, Rich? just wondering…

Comment by BannedForLife Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:44 pm
===so, who do you like in the 5th, Rich? just wondering===

Who do I like? You mean personally? You mean who do I think will win? Or do you think I’m supporting one over another?

I like a few personally, I think Feigenholtz has a possible edge, and I don’t support anybody.

You?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:49 pm
SEIU is full of it. They continually lie about their numbers and they have a terrible registration rate and a worse voting rate. Can they bus in an army? Yes. Do they have a lot of money? Yes, member dues money. Will they get out their vote on election day? Probably not.
Fritchey is piling up endorsements from serious organizations. Every time he gets another one, Sara’s people denigrate the organization and try to minimize the damage. SEIU has the most members, labor is divided, the IVI-IPO can be bought, etc..It is all bull. They are losing this thing and their only hope is to try to buy it with staffers, TV, and mailers. They certainly can’t rely on the campaign abilities and charisma of their candidate. Maybe they should offer a free sticky bun with a chunk of brie in exchange for a voting receipt.

Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:02 pm
===their only hope is to try to buy its===

The usual cry of a cash-poor campaign.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:08 pm
Rich you should really check your facts before you run numbers. there are roughly 20,0000 afl-cio members in the 5th cd and SEIU is the largest by far with 8,000. The afl-cio does not have the seiu membership list so they have no idea how many members we have there. Several other unions will be endorsing Sarah this week also. BTW, Frichey barely received enough votes for endorsement. I really don’t want/need to argue with other unions about how big we are but do the math dfor yourself. We have 165,000 members statewide with 100,000 in Cook County. It would seem logical that we are havily concentrated in the city districts, like we were for the aldermannic races….remember. AFSCME and the Teachers combined are smaller than SEIU in the district. Frankly, I really don’t know what the fuss is about anyway. The Fritchey campaign has been pushing back on the membership issue all weekend long. John actually claimed there are 60,000 AFL-CIO members in the district. Wrong again. WHy don’t we all just mobilize our members and see how things shake-out. It should be fun gentlemen and ladies.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Jerry, welcome. But if you bothered to actually read what I wrote in comments, you’d see that I was responding to somebody who claimed that “at least half” of the union members in the district were SEIU. You admitted in your comment that this was false. So, thanks for backing me up.

===Frankly, I really don’t know what the fuss is about anyway.===

You’re telling me.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:13 pm
Feigenholtz is tapping the community of young professionals in the Loop with a fundraiser next week. I hear lots of younger attorneys, bankers etc. got invites. She is going outside the 44th big time for money and volunteers.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Keep in mind, plenty of these younger professionals live in the 5th along the lakefront.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Jerry, as long as you’re here…

Can you shed some light on Progress Illinois? Josh and others are writing pieces and wanting to be acknowledged as a fair, independent media outlet, but at the same time, you’re not seeking responses from campaigns you don’t support (seriously? categorizing Fritchey as a “corporate lobbyist” and not calling him for comment, admittedly?). If you want the blog to be a respected forum rather than a mouthpiece for SEIU, you need to be accountable to your subjects and not just in the tank and slinging mud.

Which is it? If it’s the former, fine. But don’t rep like P.I. is something it ain’t.

(I think this is a broader issue that affects everyone , but in the interest of disclosure & transparency which Rich is encouraging, I am supportive of Rep. Fritchey.)

Comment by Sunshine Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:54 pm
I love these 5th CD posts. I learn so much about politics. There’s but one item I can add, in response to Niles: as a loop young professional whose banker/attorney friends live in the district, I’m quite confident that none of my colleagues could name any of the contenders if you gave them a multiple choice test.

Comment by Greg Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:55 pm
Sorry for the typo - in my last sentence before the parens, i meant “latter,” referring to being a shill.

Comment by Sunshine Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:56 pm
Greg and Niles: of course she has to go outside of the 44th….her current district only represents a tiny part of
the 5th. the silence from O’Connor, besides the Greg Harris thing, is deafening.

Comment by Amy Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:10 pm
VanMan,

You’re off the mark tagging Emanuel with an ethics problem in this race.

So why would I lump Emanuel with Blagojevich in this race? Because Mr. Emanuel keeps making news - and not in a good way.

Today: Emanuel Tries Census Grab -
“The last thing the census needs is for any hard-bitten partisan (either a Karl Rove or a Rahm Emanuel) to manipulate these critical numbers. Many federal funding formulas depend on them, as well as the whole fabric of federal and state representation. Partisans have a natural impulse to tilt the playing field in their favor, and this has to be resisted,” Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

Professor Sabato isn’t a nut. If this new story about Emanuel’s manipulations continues to make news, so will he and his way of doing business.

Not only has Mr. Emanuel disappeared during the Blagojevich senate seat sale discussions, he was the guy who followed Rod Blagojevich into Washington. When Mr. Emanuel and Mr. Blagojevich make news, 5th Congressional district voters take note. Those interested in turning from the Blagojevich/Emanuel way of doing business in the 5th, will support a candidate with a proven ethical record supported by now-President Obama. That would be Fritchey.

Normally, I think Sara has the edge. And ladies do get gifts from voters since they are seen as a break from the past. But Mr. Fritchey is recognized as an ethics fighter and a guy who fought against the administration when it went off the rails. So when Rahm or Rod makes news, it boosts John’s campaign - at Sara’s expense.

Today we have a new Emanuel scandal.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:16 pm
“Sticky Buns”…. Hilarious. I about fell over in my chair.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:17 pm
===Professor Sabato isn’t a nut.===

No. He’s a windbag.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:19 pm
Domo arigato, Prof. Sabato. Domo.

Always wanted to do that.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:26 pm
“Professor Sabato isn’t a nut. If this new story about Emanuel’s manipulations continues to make news, so will he and his way of doing business.”

If there are more undecided 5th CD voters pondering the ruminations of Larry Sabato than there are fingers on your hand, it would be a find worth noting.

I stand by my earlier statement. Your opinions, well thought out, though they may be, remain opinions. Data is data.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:32 pm
VM, I would bet that, if asked, the vast majority of 5th CD voters would rather have Obama/Rahm handling the Census than a Republican appointee.

Consider the district. It was Rahm’s, he remains popular and Obama is super-popular. Republicans are not popular and not numerous in that district.

Your logic is way off on this one.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:38 pm
IVI-IPO is over-hyped. Yes, the vote can easily be bought by buying up membership, but outside of a very small percentage of the voters, most voters don’t know or care who IVI-IPO is — the endorsement does not move people.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:45 pm
First things first. Rich, your post definately left the impression that the unions endorsinig Fritchey had much larger membership in the 5th than SEIU. That simnply is not true. SEIU has a little less than half the members in the district and the other 45 unions have the other half. That is neither here nor there.

In response to the gentlemen that questioned SEIU’s role in Progress Illinois it is totally transparent. SEIU is the sole sponsor of the site. We dislcose that throughout the site. Josh Kalven is the editor and has done a great job building it into the most widely read political blog in Illinois. I did not even know that Josh was writing the Fritchey story that outlines his corporate lobbying interests. But the truth, is the truth. Josn has offered John Fritchey the opportunity to respond in an interview but they have refused thus far because Fritchey does not want to release his tax returns so that the voters can know how much money he has mde from his long list of corporate clients. Fritchey has mades hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying the City of Chicago zoning Committee on behalf of such clietns as Bank of America, the payday loan industry and dozens of developers. We haven’t said there is anyhting wrong with that just that the voters have a right to know. You would think that a man who may be in Congress in the next month voting on bank bail-out bills would let the voters know how much money he has made from the banking industry. John signed the papers with the city describing himself as a lobbyist. I think that makes him a lobbyist don’t you?

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:47 pm
=== done a great job building it into the most widely read political blog in Illinois===

I would beg to differ there, bub.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:48 pm
Hey Jerry,
The vote was 19-6. Id say 76% is a pretty good margin. If you don’t want to fight with other unions then why all the bull. Shut up and get to work and we’ll see who wins. You’d be really lucky if you could get dues from all those “members” you supposedly have, wouldn’t you. Since no one has your membership list I guess we will never know the truth, will we?
I’ll stick with the AFL-CIO, you know the real unions.

Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Nothing at all against Fritchey (I appreciate his thinking-out-loud ways and unprotected nature and think the lobbyist stuff thrown at him is a lot of smoke), but where does the IVI-IPO come off endorsing him -over- Sarah F.? To the extent they differ I suspect she favors their positions more than he does. Strikes me as oportunistic.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:50 pm
Bill, let’s try to avoid a labor civil war in the comments. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:01 pm
Yah Brother. “the real unions”. Some things never change with you guys. I agree. Let’s all shut the *$#@! up and get down to work. May the best candidate win.

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:04 pm
Hey Jerry, just to clarify, you meant Personal Financial Disclosure, not tax returns, right?

Comment by Tom B. Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:07 pm
Jerry,

Firstly, I love that you assume I am a “gentleman,” because I’m neither - gentle, or a man.

Secondly, get your story straight. Kalven said himself in comments:

“Josh Kalven on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 10:57; I didn’t call Fritchey before publishing the piece and, in retrospect, should have.”

And thirdly, the most widely-read political blog in the State? You’re on it now, buddy.

Comment by Sunshine Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:08 pm
Ask Google .

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:11 pm
As a veteran of the -ahem- great IVI membership drive of 2004 I can say that the endorsement can be an effort in organizing.

Surely someone else here was also there as the membership swelled to epic proportions for the IL 04 primaries, courtesy of efforts by the Hynes and Obama camps.

Those who were there were treated to a very tense afternoon of maneuvering, debate that turned raucous and threatened to turn ugly, and a grand performance (ultimately in vain) by one of Chicago’s political heavy hitters.

Not to mention a hilarious verbal slap at Blair Hull for suggesting that everyone should simply drive a Prius, like him.

This is not to denigrate Fritchey’s endorsement. It is merely to point out that there is more to the IVI-IPO endorsement that merely answering their questionnaire correctly or being an “Independent Voter.”

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:12 pm
Jerry Morrison, of the 165,000 number you mention, how many pay fair share fees to SEIU and how many are full dues paying members.

Comment by Droppin Knowledge Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:15 pm
John Fritchey has been offered the opportunity to respond in an interview. He has not accepted yet. Interestingly you don’t dispute any of the facts of his corporate lobbying before the City of Chicago Zoning Committee. Why is that? and if PI has refused Fritchey a response then post a response on John’s blog or post a comment on PI. Maybe he just doesn’t want to talk about the issue anymore? Both the Sun Times and the Tribune are working on the story now, so John will have plenty of chances to respond.

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:18 pm
No, I meant tax returns. If Fritchey believes in government reform the way he says he should be totally transparent about his corporate clients.

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:20 pm
Capitol View, Sara remains the one credible woman candidate in the 5th? Credible? Uh, no. There are two “credible” women in this race. The other is Jan Donatelli and she is a strong and engaging candidate in her own right. I appreciate people’s enthusiasm for Sara and her candidacy, but there are many good and interesting candidates in this race, some of whom will be endorsed over Sara.

As for why the IVI-IPO endorsed John over Sara, read their candidate questionnaires. They’re online. But the IVI-IPO opportunistic? That’s just funny.

Comment by Suzanne Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:26 pm
Bill, it was 19-7-2. That’s pretty significant and by no means the massive support Fritchey has been crowing about. But, once again, lets all just stop the chatter and do our organizing and we will see who wins. I will put our record up against any political orgs’ record in the state, not just other unions.

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:28 pm
==I will put our record up against any political orgs’ record in the state==
LOL
Talk, talk, talk…

Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:39 pm
Boys, my suggestion is that you both get back to work on your respective campaigns.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:43 pm
Suzanne, I also just read the Donetelli web site. Nice activist; even shows her next to Sara F in one picture.

But I’m not thrilled with political novices running for high office as their first shot at the voters. Sara - and John, and Bernie - have paid their dues and have a track record to run on. Congress is high office in my estimation; let her run for the county board or for Sara’s or John’s seat, once one of the more seasoned politicians move up to Congress.

I don’t believe newcomers are unqualified for office, but you have to walk before you “run” - for a significant public office. Let the voters see you in action, making tough choices. I wish Donatelli well, in future local elections.

And yes, I know about Rahm — who was a political campaign veteran and White House senior policy advisor. Anyone calling Rahm a newcomer as he ran for Congress as his first public office is beyond naive.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:43 pm
Bill, Jerry, one of you has to be big enough to stop this nonsense and go directly to a:

Triple Dog Dare!

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:44 pm
Bill, Jerry, one of you has to be big enough to stop this nonsense and go directly to a:

Triple Dog Dare!

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:44 pm
Sorry, not sure why I’m like “Tommy Two-Times” in “Goodfellas” today:

“I’m goin’ to get the papers, get the papers.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:49 pm
Best advice of the day Rich.

Comment by Jerry morrison Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 5:02 pm
I enjoyed all of the “mines bigger than yours” back-and-forth today.

We’ll know on election day, won’t we?

There’s too many candidates for the losers to buy — how about a “Winner Buys” party on Wednesday after…

Rich, you wanna name the location?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 5:05 pm
As a registered lobbyist, ALL of Fritchey’s fees are already disclosed and are a matter of public record. For example, his representation of the bank earned him a whopping $5,000.

Quit throwing mud and do your own homework.

Comment by Hey Jerry Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 5:27 pm
Jerry… Widely read “progressive” blog maybe (though that’s arguable depending on stats) but the most widely read political blog in Illinois is clear, and it ain’t PI.

PS: I thought Progress Illinois was sponsored by “SIU” not “SEIU” (that’s a joke … at Fran Eaton’s good-natured expense)

–

Sunshine… SEIU’s sponsorship of PI is indeed very clearly marked and readily discussed by the blogs editors. They’re very upfront about their lack of independence/source of funding.

Politically, it’s a smart strategic move by SEIU: get their endorsement (or don’t) and there’s a big ol’ bullhorn there at the ready — kinda like every other media outlet in America.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 6:06 pm
I agree with YDD on one point, this thread was fun today, though it veered a little close to the edge at times.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:17 pm
Hey Nash. Not only is PI the most widely read blog it is the highest rated. Last year, Business Technology Online rated PI the best political blog in Illinois. Cappital Fax Blog, which is a fine blog in my estimation, was rated #6. I love how all you “Madiganites” spend all your time online bashing people. Hey Nash, how about a bet on the 5th CD outcome between you and me? Up for it brother.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:25 pm
Suzanne and Capitol View,

I forgot to mention earlier that Donatelli’s campaign manager quit and is talking to anybody that will listen. My understanding is that she’s not very serious. If she’s not a Fritchey or Quigley plant, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her withdraw within 7-10 days.

Comment by Illinois.Pundit Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:30 pm
Jerry Morrison, I’d still like an answer to my question of 4:15 pm, how many of the 165,000 number are SEIU full dues paying members and how many are fair share fee payers.

Comment by Droppin Knowledge Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:44 pm
Dropping, why don’t you come out from behind that weak ass name and tell us who you are. I ain’t hiding from anybody here. If you would like I could get you that number. I don’t know how it is particularly relevant to the discussion here. Are you making the argument that SEIU members are somehow “lesser” union members. A little sexist and/racist don’t you think.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:57 pm
Hey Sunshine, where are the “independent” outlets as far as you are concerned? Sam Zell’s Tribune or the various business and political interests that keep this fine blog going? Everyone has to pay the light bill. Progress Illinois is in the process right now of recruiting additional sponsors. Josh has dome a great job reaching out to the Progeressive community and , despite the awful economy, you will see additional PI sponsors soon. As far as SEIU infulence, you should ask that question of Jolsh Kalven you can describe the relationship with SEIU. From my perspective it has been exciting for SEIU to be involved in the creation and ongoing success of Progress Illinois. Idf you don’t like the unabashedly Progressive point of view you are free to read another blog. Pi continues to grow and thrive. Someone out there must be interested in its point of view.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:04 pm
Whoa Jerry, slow down. Easy there big fella.

Your earlier comments were fine, no one is attacking you or SEIU. Put the keyboard down for today. You’ve made your points, and many of them were very good ones. But adding anything like the more recent ones above and you’ll most likely regret it in the morning. Trust me on that.

Keep your powder dry. We’ve got three more weeks of this.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:22 pm
Hey Jerry, Not all of John Fritchey’s corporate business is disclosed. He could represent the same or other corporate clients in legal matters and that would not show up in the lobbying disclosure forms. The only way to know the true amount of Fritchey’s “rake” from corporate America is to see his tax returns. Chances are if he doesn’t see a problem lobbying for Bank of America he won’t have a problem representing them in legal matters either. Just release your tax returns John. It is the transparent, good government thing to do.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:35 pm
Evening 47th Ward how are you? I am merely responding to a rather “inside baseball” remark made about my members which is often a way of discounting poor, minority union members. It represents the very worst of the labor movement and I will call it for what it is everytime. You may not be aware of some of labors’ own internal struggles but this is one of the biggest.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:39 pm
Jerry, you’re talking to yourself. Give it a rest like 47th Ward said. Oh, and Rob_N isn’t Nash. But way to be on that one.

Comment by OOC Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:48 pm
I assume you’re referring to the Great Internal Labor Struggle for Racial and Sexual Diversity in Union Membership. I am aware.

Most of us here are also aware. The outcome of the 5th CD Special Election will not greatly affect the GILSRSDIUM, but FWIW, your continued posting tonight isn’t helping Sara Feigneholtz, Progress Illinois, Jerry Morrison, SEIU members or the GILSRSDIUM.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:49 pm
I wasn’t trying silence him IP, and never would try to silence anyone. I was only offering my advice. As far as I’m concerned, his voice is always welcome in any debate.

Although I prefer to hide behind a nickname, I’ve met Jerry and I generally like him. So I know who he is, but he doesn’t know who 47th Ward is. FTR, I respect his opinion, especially on union and progressive issues. But he’s a big boy, and certainly doesn’t need my advice.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:01 pm
I took no offense Brother. This particular issue is difficult to deal with in the labor community. The oblique argument our firnd was making much earlier is often a veiled racist comment made by some less enlightened members of my community. You give good advice though. I am often too quick to the fight. Years of organizing and taking on the Regulars has taken its toll.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:16 pm
So, I know you 47th Ward? Old organizing colleague or politics? Schakowsky days perhaps?

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:17 pm
Illinois.Pundit, thanks for your support but trust me, I am perfectly able to defend myself. Always appreciate the solidarity though.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:18 pm
Just when I though I might start to like you 47th Ward. I don’t really need your advice about who I may or may not be helping. I am merely reponding to a series of comments about my union that range from “SEIU is lying about its membership” to “SEIU isn’t a real union” to “SEIU members aren’t registered and don’t vote”. You can look at those comments however you want but I know exactly what they mean. I will call it what it is everytime.

Comment by jerry morrison seiu Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:32 pm
LOL

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 7:22 am
Illinois.Pundit, Alexa doesn’t say how many page views a site has, it reports page views per user. Huge difference, dude. No way is that a valid gauge in the way you claimed it was.

Plus, Alexa’s stats on page views per user do not match up with my webmaster stats. Alexa has me at 1.38 visits per user for the past month, my stats have it around 5 per user.

And the “reach” stats are goofy as well, but this site holds up just fine by comparison.

In other words, you’re wrong on all counts.

Just sayin…

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:12 pm