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* It wasn’t all that long ago that Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle looked washed up to some folks…
“She’s gone from someone thinking she could be mayor to someone who’s got to wonder if she could get re-elected,” a longtime Democratic Party wise man told me Friday.
“If you’re a Democrat running for the state legislature, you don’t want her anywhere near you. The Republicans will use her against the Democrats. She’s toxic. The voters are angry. They’re fed-up. And you know why,” the wise man said.
* Politics can often change in a hurry…
It’s a shell of the mighty make-or-break political organization it once was, but the Cook County Democratic Party could still be ready to make history.
Chicago’s ultimate insiders club is preparing to usher in a new era on Wednesday, an era that could see the longtime bastion of white men choosing its first African-American, and first woman, chairman.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is expected to take over the county’s top political spot from Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, who’s held the seat since he was unanimously elected in 2007.
* Tribune…
Preckwinkle also is viewed as comfortable with two sometimes-divergent camps within the county Democratic Party: old-school politicians who have seen their strength slip as the power of patronage politics wanes, and self-styled progressives who rely more on issues than political troops to win elections.
The progressives’ growing strength — and the split with regulars — played out last month, when a slate of three candidates backed by County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia defeated candidates backed by establishment Democrats.
“I would say the party needs to move in a more progressive direction and embrace progressive causes and candidates, and I think Toni Preckwinkle is committed to doing just that,” said state Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat expected to be re-elected as suburban vice chairman.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:41 am
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Politically, her opponents probably should not have repealed the pop tax and let the primary be a referendum on it.
Once it was repealed, voter anger dissipated and the election became much less of a priority to the sugar industry
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:50 am
All that Rauner/Griff/Uihlein money, and they don’t even attempt to put up serious GOP candidates in Cook County.
If they didn’t do it now, hard to see when they ever will. The Big Money is into riding their own hobby horses, rather than party building.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:51 am
Also this might give Rauner some hope. If he gets a budget done on time this year, maybe he can recover his image in time for November.
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:52 am
The old-school politicians are viewed by a significant amount of voters with disgust. They correlate such politicians with corruption and the decline of the state. Preckwinkle would be wise to avoid this association. It nearly cost her with the soda tax and her tone-deaf defense of it. Sure, she felt that the revenues were essential to the function of the county, which is her mindset, and that’s fine. But voter-feel matters for something, too.
Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 9:56 am
I would say the party needs to move in a more progressive (MORE SPENDING) direction and embrace progressive (TAX HIKING) causes and candidates, and I think Toni Preckwinkle is committed to doing just that,” said state Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat expected to be re-elected as suburban vice chairman.
the primary electorate is a lot more PROGRESSIVE than the general electorate Senator.
Those same voters that despise the tax increases of the past year including the disastrous 32% permanent income tax, record property tax increases and the disastrous pop tax are still out there Senator.
You can’t hoodwink them forever by telling them the rich will pay for all of this new spending
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:41 am
“Those same voters that despise the tax increases of the past year currently don’t have a choice in the general election because the GOP didn’t field candidates.”
Fixed it for you.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:43 am
===32% permanent income tax===
When Rauner signs a budget requiring every dime of that tax increase to be used, what will you say, knowing Rauner can’t have his balanced, signed budget without it?
That’s the rub, isn’t it?
Preckwinkle and the soda tax and the property taxes… still no GOP candidates to take on the Dems… and when there is a tax that does “stay”, instead of fiercely getting 60 and 30… 71 and 36 to stop it… Rauner will have to sign “his” budget that requires that revenue to get a signed budget to run on as an incumbent.
The Raunerites are failing at giving choices, in this case to Cook County voters against Preckwinkle, and getting votes and showing and embarrassing Madigan, Cullerton, “Progressives” by having the members on the stairs, with Rauner “fightin’ for” something-something, and the candidates and votes to make it so.
I’ll look forward to Rauner signin’ that budget… needin’ that 32% tax increase… or Rauner won’t have a budget at all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 10:51 am
A good book could be written on Hyde Park’s political influence since the 70s, with Barbara Flynn Currie, Barack Obama, and Toni Preckwinkle as just three examples
Comment by East of Midway Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:00 am
Don’t forget Harold Washington in your Hyde Parker list
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:06 am
Of course. I was thinking of three subjects who could still be interviewed for such a project, but any such book would have to footnote Grimshaw’s account of the ‘83 campaign and consider its lasting effects on the city, state, and nation.
Comment by East of Midway Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:10 am
Harold’s biggest mistake was not totally crushing the machine, but instead trying to make nice with it (slating Daley for States Attorney is something that we should never forgive - and we still feel the effects of it today).
Comment by Casey Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:35 am
East of Midway,
And maybe someday Kwame Raoul, too. Started off fighting Toni Preckwinkle. Then decided if you can’t beat her, join her.
Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:59 am
Not sure I’d characterize it as much as a comeback as simply voters are no longer calling for her head. Her name is not as popular as it used to be and it’s not much of a stretch to assume that she’d be able to take over the party (there’s no serious competition and she was basically running it beforehand anyway - and a bunch of committeemen/women broke from the org in supporting Kaegi.) So the org is a shell of what it once was and its pull rests more with the individual committeeman/woman.
Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 11:59 am
“Harold’s biggest mistake was not totally crushing the machine”
Presumes facts not in evidence.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 12:03 pm
@ East of Midway -
Not exactly what you’re looking for, but you might check out Rebecca Janowitz’ 2010 book, Culture of Opportunity. Obama’s Chicago: The People, Politics, and Ideas of Hyde Park
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 1:20 pm
-Wordslinger- Think about what you said ( serious candidates ) you need to get serious. Cook County has zero chance of electing a Republican County wide, ZERO. I don’t care how much money they put behind a excellent candidate it isn’t happening. Just go the the GOP convention tonight for Cook County and you can witness the circus yourself. Besides the fact the baseline in Cook is about 65/35 D-R,the wing nuts on the right have destroyed the Cook GOP. They tried running out JBT and she was one of the best things they had going for them. So why waste money on a helpless cause?
Comment by Board Watcher Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 1:28 pm
If Republicans nominate someone to run against Preckwinkle, this might be good news for Republicans. Some people will think that she’d have too much power, if she’s the county board president and county party chairman, at the same time, and that will cause some people to vote against her, in the fall.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 1:29 pm
It’s always a good idea to have someone on the ballot - you never know what news stories might come out between now and November.
The Classic Example in Illinois is Flanagan beating Rostenkowski, but also look what happened in Alabama where Jones beat Moore because of the surprise negative stories that came out.
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 1:39 pm
“Cook County has zero chance of electing a Republican County wide, ZERO.”
And that’s the same thing they used to say about Democrats in DuPage County.
Funny how much difference a little hard work can make in a party’s prospects.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 2:13 pm
“And that’s the same thing they used to say about Democrats in DuPage County.”
Demographics did that, not “a little hard work.”
Comment by chicagolawyer Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 2:18 pm
-chicagolawyer- exactly what I was about to say myself..
Comment by Board Watcher Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 2:22 pm
“Demographics did that”
Obviously, I defer to your long record of superior knowledge on the subject of DuPage County.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 4:17 pm
I liked the soda tax. Or as we say in Chicago, pop.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 4:20 pm
Didn’t Toni announce this is her last term as County President? I really hope she sticks with that. She has been a huge let down basically becoming a new Stroger.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 4:59 pm
“Demographics did that”
No worries. Go back to sleep.
But could you define that fancy book-learnin’ word, “demographics” as a basis for your point?
Then, perhaps you could explain why Illinois Republicans shouldn’t even bother in Cook County (because it’s so heterogenuous and homegenous) and why a Democrat named Raja is the congress-critter from Palatine.
Palatine.
What’s the demographics there? The GOP can’t beat the Hindu Delhi vote out at Woodfield?
Just how far can this Illinois GOP crew go with the weeping victim bit? As long as Rauner/Griff/Uihlein will pay them? What is the after-mint budget?
Not exactly John Wayne or Gary Cooper.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 18, 18 @ 7:51 pm