The Media, Obama, and the Chicago Way
[Guest post by DRJ]
Everyone (Hot Air, Instapundit, etc.) is linking this excellent Rick Moran post so click and read the whole thing, but here’s a taste:
“Many of us familiar with Chicago politics have been wondering for months at the apparent disconnect of the media regarding Obama’s relationship to the Chicago political machine. Where did they think this guy came from?
The lack of curiosity by the press about Obama’s connections to one of the most corrupt city governments in the United States should be one of the big media stories of this campaign. While it is true that Obama’s connections to the Machine are not as extensive as many other politicians, I’ve got news for you Obama apologists; try running for any office in Chicago – local, state, or federal – and see how far you get without support from the regular Democrats.”
Moran begins with an analysis of Obama’s first state senate race and ends with today’s Sun Times: “Did Rezko find jobs for Obama staffers?”
NK has been saying this for months so this one is for you, NK.
— DRJ
Thank you DRJ. And please forgive the capitals, BUT
IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO IMPLY THAT CHICAGO’S POLITICIANS ARE WEAK-KNEED, POLITICAL TIME-SERVERS WHO ARE CONCERNED MORE WITH THEIR PERSONAL VENDETTAS AND PRIVATE POWER STRUGGLES THAN THE PROBLEMS OF GOVERNMENT, NOR TO IMPLY AT ANY STAGE THAT THEY ARE SQUABBLING LITTLE TOADIES WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPRESENT.
NOR INDEED DID I INTEND THAT READERS HERE SHOULD CONSIDER THEM AS CRABBY ULCEROUS LITTLE SELF-SEEKING VERMIN WITH FURRY LEGS AND AN EXCESSIVE ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL AND CERTAIN EXPLICIT SEXUAL PRACTICES WHICH SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FIND OFFENSIVE.
I AM SORRY IF I GAVE THAT IMPRESSION.
(With appologies to Monty Python.)
nk (7b0075) — 3/6/2008 @ 5:19 pmnk…
Another Drew (8018ee) — 3/6/2008 @ 5:54 pmCould you be a little bit more explicit in what you dislike about Chi-town pols? Not that any of this would apply to Sen Obama.
Seriously, this article makes it pretty clear that the Daleys springboarded Obama into the Presidential race.
nk (7b0075) — 3/6/2008 @ 6:09 pmNK #1,
I was worried you think Chicago politicians are corrupt. I’m glad you cleared that up.
DRJ (a431ca) — 3/6/2008 @ 6:30 pmA friend of a friend, a long-time public defender, ran for judge against the Machine candidate in the 2006 primary and won. She got no support in the general election and lost to her Republican opponent. In fairness, the Republican was an exceptional attorney but still … a Republican win in Cook County with the disarray the Illinois Republican party was in in 2006? Ordinarily, as a consolation prize, she would have been sponsored for an associate judgeship which is an appointed position. Nope. “Honey, when you challenge us, you better win.”
She ran again this last primary. The Machine had wised up about her. In addition to their annointed they ran three more straw candidates to dilute her votes. That’s how it works.
nk (7b0075) — 3/6/2008 @ 7:14 pmCHIGAGO is said to come from a indian word meaning BAD SMELL well the name sure fits since the stence from city hall is so bad and penatrating
krazy kagu (4ca035) — 3/6/2008 @ 9:53 pmIn Chicago, if you want to run for office or get something done, “you gotta see dat guy over by dere.”
daleyrocks (906622) — 3/6/2008 @ 10:20 pmThere is politics, then there is Chicago politics. And Chicago politics control Illinois.
Any politition passing through the Daley machine is corrupt. As for proving it, it can get nasty. MSM could care less, they have a horse in this race.
Gerald A (34dd7c) — 3/7/2008 @ 6:43 am