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* Chicago Rev. Corey Brooks has endorsed Jim Oberweis for US Senate…
Last weekend, Oberweis, a state Senator from Sugar Grove, volunteered in Brooks’ Woodlawn community anti-crime program.
In a release from the Oberweis campaign, Brooks said “he believes Democrats like U.S. Senator Dick Durbin have taken the African-American vote for granted and he wants to change that dynamic.
“I do not support Democrats or Republicans automatically,” Brooks said in the statement. “I support the men or women who are more likely to help our community, no matter what label they wear. Jim Oberweis has demonstrated to me he cares about our problems and will work hard on the solutions.” […]
Brooks hit the news in February, 2012 for sitting on the roof of a former motel for more than 90 days until he raised enough money to buy the property near the church at 6625 S. King Drive.
* Lots of folks love to give Oberweis heck, but I gotta tell you, he’s running a much better campaign than many, myself included, expected.
More…
Oberweis, a state senator from west suburban Sugar Grove, is the part-owner of a dairy and ice cream business and two investment firms that carry his name. Brooks said he believes job creation is key to stemming violence on the South Side, and said he was impressed with Oberweis’ experience in that area.
Brooks, who frequently serves as a family spokesman for crime victims, said he was raised a Democrat but is currently a political independent. The Park Manor neighborhood pastor said he disagrees with Oberweis on some issues, though he declined to cite them.
Brooks said he has never met Durbin, the Democratic incumbent who has been in the Senate since 1996. But the pastor said Oberweis has been a regular on the South Side, and that the two “have had very candid conversations.”
Oberweis should be given credit for taking the time to court Brooks.
* Related…
* Somehow I was added to a GOP mailing list
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 12:56 pm
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Oberweis is not the same person he was years ago, despite caricatures to the contrary. People tend to grow and change with time.
Meanwhile, Brooks carries strong credibility as a leader and a good reputation in the eyes of many. He’s no joke.
“Tipping points” are real. We may be witnessing one in Illinois.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:01 pm
Kudos to Sen. Oberweis.
The campaign is really trying to find a stride and sweet spot that in the past it ignored and scoffed. These campaign optics will make many, including myself, to rethink where they are, and what they are doing.
More like this, well done, beginning to end, and beyond.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:06 pm
“ULTRA-LIBERAL career politician Dick Durbin” is at least better than “Millionaire career politician Dick Durbin” - as I’ve heard Oberweis throw out at receptions around town.
Comment by Mr. Jim Lahey Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:08 pm
Oberweis makes the papers in a positive way. That is news.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Brooks said “he believes Democrats like U.S. Senator Dick Durbin have taken the African-American vote for granted and he wants to change that dynamic.
As do I.
Kudos to Oberweis.
(Did I just write that?)
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:31 pm
Nicely timed on day of Obama coming in town for Durbin.
Comment by Klondike Clapton Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:32 pm
“Brooks said he has never met Durbin, the Democratic incumbent who has been in the Senate since 1996.”
Yeah, I’d be looking for that to change Reverend.
Comment by I B Strapped Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:35 pm
Looks like the price of Rev. Brooks’s support has just gone up. Good for him.
Maybe he can work with Oberweiss to end the “vast dessert desert” on the southside:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Oberweis+Ice+Cream+and+dairy+store&hl=en&sll=41.878114,-87.629798&sspn=0.848684,1.490021&hq=Oberweis+Ice+Cream+and+dairy+store&t=m&z=10
Comment by Anon Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Does Rev. Brooks want to give an interview about what he believes Oberweis learned from their interaction?
Would it be rude to ask how much money changed hands in connection with scheduling the meeting?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Oberweis’ stock just went way up, in my view. Congratualtions to Rev. Brooks for having the backbone to call politicos to account. I suspect historians in the 22nd century will look back on the late 20th and early 21st century policies of the Democratic Party as having been absolutely ruinous to black Americans.
Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:50 pm
“Welcome to South Shore Bank. Will you be making a deposit or withdrawl?”
Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:50 pm
The two politicians Rev. Brooks has chosen to given money to are Rev. Meeks and Arenda Troutman.
Draw your own conclusions.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:51 pm
Republicans have spent decades courting the meanest White racists to vote for GOP candidates. GOP politicians enact policies that hurt Blacks.
But “Conservatives” are confident Democrats will be the ones judged for harming Blacks.
Yes, we live in a racist society. And Democrats only do so much (as little as they can get away with, really).
But the idea that GOP policies will help Blacks is absurd. It’s about as absurd as the idea “Blacks are too ignorant to perceive what a great deal GOP policies will be for them” is racist.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:55 pm
You have to give the Senator props for this. The guy is keeping his head down and his foot out of his mouth during this campaign. I still don’t think he’ll win but thus far it looks like he’s making a good run at it.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 2:12 pm
On one hand, you have a person who has “volunteered in Brooks’ Woodlawn community anti-crime program”, “demonstrated to me he cares about our problems” and “has been a regular on the South Side” with whom Pastor Brooks has “had very candid conversations.” On the other hand, you have a 20-year incumbent “he has never met”.
But it’s supposedly all because the man who slept on a roof for 90 days and intimately understands the violence in many of these communities is just looking to line his own pockets? Wow.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 2:17 pm
I would say that that is a pretty good endorsement. Durbin has spent much of his time burnishing his image in the DC beltway. Illinois has severe problems Durbin could have helped with.
Comment by Milo Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 2:34 pm
Not to be cynical, but should we expect there has been a nice contribution to Rev. Brooks’ congregation?
Comment by Whatever Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 2:37 pm
Pastor Brooks says “Our community has suffered a lot under Democratic policies.” It would be helpful if he would identify which “Democratic” policies he doesn’t like. Without any specifics his comments become meaningless.
Comment by Chicago guy Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 2:49 pm
== Without any specifics his comments become meaningless. ==
For all anyone knows, he may have and it was edited for length or content by the paper.
Regardless, Oberweis likely understands exactly what Mr. Booker means when he says that. And that is the most important part of the story.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:10 pm
“- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Republicans have spent decades courting the meanest White racists to vote for GOP candidates. GOP politicians enact policies that hurt Blacks.
But “Conservatives” are confident Democrats will be the ones judged for harming Blacks.
Yes, we live in a racist society. And Democrats only do so much (as little as they can get away with, really).
But the idea that GOP policies will help Blacks is absurd. It’s about as absurd as the idea “Blacks are too ignorant to perceive what a great deal GOP policies will be for them” is racist.”
Bashing conservatives and using the race card shows a lack of thought.
I will not vote for Oberweis but I don’t like Durbin either. I will either vote third party or a write in just to have my voice heard.
However comments like the above temp me to vote for Oberweis but I won’t. I am so sick of the race card.
Comment by Jacob S Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:27 pm
I’m much more impressed with Sen Oberweis in the past 12 months or so than I was in most of his previous campaigns. I thinks he’s learned about addition, and I think he’s done some things that prove it. I liked his quick and reasonable response on the minimum wage issue
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:28 pm
The bar for Obie is so low that anything that is not overtly stupid seems brilliant. Durbin is a strong and wise voice for Illinois and the nation working for students to reduce the burden of loans, insure a qualified judiciary, address climate change and balance Illinois’ coal and many other issues. Obie increased the speed limit…
Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Mr Nyberg, that was the longest bumper sticker slogan I have ever seen. How DID you fit that all on that little thing. Blanket negative statements concerning a large group of people is the essence of prejudice. What do you hope to prove with such a statement? Certainly not that you are a fair and deep thinker.
Re the post - surprising given the long history of his past campaigns. How to account for it? Can this old milk man learn new tricks? Hmm, maybe Kirk can campaign with him after all.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:48 pm
==Oberweis has been a regular on the South Side==
I don’t believe it, especially after the mention of the volunteering “last weekend.” If he has, why haven’t we heard about it before? It’s especially telling that Brooks won’t say where he disagree with Oberweis. Why won’t he say? Is it because where he disagrees with Oberweis, voters in Brooks congregation might put more stock in voting on those issues than on the alleged business of ability of Oberweis? I say alleged because the company turned around after Oberweis turned day-to-day management over to his wife Elaine after he had driven it near bankruptcy in only 3 years of operating it after taking over from his relatives.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 4:20 pm
He’s not a quick-study by any means, but once he learns something, it seems to stick. He’s working harder, he’s campaigning more personally and he’s going out of his way to say where he’s erred in the past. A lot of Demographic groups like that approach. Perhaps there will be more African American ministers and their flock who follow suit. One thing I believe you could get more AAs to agree on is; The Democratic party has indeed taken them for granted. Opening that door and continuing to work for the loyalty of this group should be a high priority for the GOP. No matter how long it takes. The door is open.
Comment by A guy... Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 4:28 pm
–One thing I believe you could get more AAs to agree on is; The Democratic party has indeed taken them for granted. –
I guess the 93% of blacks who voted Democratic last time out just don’t know what’s good for them.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 4:47 pm
“- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 3:37 pm:
The bar for Obie is so low that anything that is not overtly stupid seems brilliant. Durbin is a strong and wise voice for Illinois and the nation working for students to reduce the burden of loans, insure a qualified judiciary, address climate change and balance Illinois’ coal and many other issues. Obie increased the speed limit…”
If you agree with him on those issues, I disagree with him on what you call a qualified judiciary and global warming which they now call climate change and many other issues.
Also, I don ‘t trust him and do not believe that he is moral or ethical. I don’t believe that Durbin does anything that is not for Durbin.
Unfortunity, I don’t like Oberweis either.
Comment by Jacob S Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 4:54 pm
Durbin has continually failed to bring home the bacon, as they say. The feds take more from Illinois than they give back, so its probably well past time for Durbin to go.
To Nyberg, I just want to point out that it isn’t the GOP or conservatives locking up all those blacks and hispanics in Cook/Chicago and taking away their right to vote because they possess a small amount of some drug.
Just think how many more votes the Democrats could get from black people if the Democrats weren’t locking up so many black people for drugs in Chicago and Illinois.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 5:04 pm
===The feds take more from Illinois than they give back, so its probably well past time for Durbin to go.===
C’mon, you can’t hang that on Durbin. Illinois has been a donor state forever, even with Rostenkowski and Bob Michel working together.
You don’t have to vote for him, but don’t make stuff up to blame him for.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 5:17 pm
Nyberg -
“The feds take more from Illinois than they give back”
And they should.
Illinois is a rich state. It should be taxed at a higher rate, with the overage applied to the less advantaged states, such as Alabama or Mississippi.
It’s not Alabama or Mississippi’s fault they don’t have the advantages Illinois has.
Everyone needs to pay their fair share.
Comment by Anon Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 5:44 pm
oops…above comment should be address to Jeff Trigg, not Mr. Nyberg.
Sorry!
Comment by Anon Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 5:45 pm
Way to go Oberweiss campaign staff!
Now Oberweiss will only lose 69-31 instead of 70-30!
Comment by hanging chad Thursday, May 22, 14 @ 10:16 pm
I want to soak this up… Someone, running for office actually spent time in the community they want to represent? With the courage here and Meeks at least showing openness to new ideas and finding COMMON ground, not agreeing on everything so they agree on nothing… This is hopeful for us all. Oh, Dick you may want to try and meet some of the people you represent.
Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, May 23, 14 @ 7:03 am