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Sep 07
2010
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Outside of the indefatigable Tony Peraica, I guess I am among the currently longest-serving of those seeking to attack corruption and mismanagement by the Daley Machine, though many others have done it over time, and done it well. But even I am sobered by the news that Richard Daley will not seek another term. I now know what lay behind the stunned, blank look people in Eastern Europe had when the leader of the country for decades was deposed - pleasantly shocked, wondrous of the future. For better or worse, Richard Daley has run this town with an iron fist for 21 years.
(tick, tick, tick).
OK, enough of the stunned look, now enthusiastically on to GOP business and reform!
The efforts at Chicago GOP to build the Republican base across the City, to run a strong Aldermanic slate in 2011, and to assert a good government and anti-corruption mantra just became all the more important, for us and for Chicago. The news of Mayor Daley’s retirement should fill us all with a great solemnity of purpose. The Day of Change, fundamental change, can be at hand
A strong GOP Chicago vote in November is a springboard to later gains in February. The end of the Daley Ice Age also means that a solid GOP base of 15-20% with a range up to 20-30%, can place the local GOP as a player at the table, ready to assert a reform agenda to the citizenry, particularly in a multi-candidate race, as is likely in the next Mayor’s race. Rahm or no Rahm.
BUT WE NEED YOU! It starts now, in September. Chicago GOP is already beginning ground operations for Bill Brady and other candidates. Please click on the Volunteer logo on the right side of this page or call Pete Bella at (312) 235-9467. With Mayor Daley retiring, let’s go change Chicago for the better!
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
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written by David Jenkins, September 08, 2010
You lose people when you throw Bill Brady in the mix. No point in changing one kind of corruption for another.
Take a look at your tax bills, and then go back and look at Brady's legislative record.
Cordially,
David
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written by Chicago Republican, September 08, 2010
1) He is corrupt to the core.
2) He has bankrupted the city.
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written by Stephen Boulton, September 08, 2010
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written by Jim Fuchs, September 09, 2010
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written by Ari Fantis, September 09, 2010
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written by Jim Fuchs, September 09, 2010
Watch for the Aldermen to fight like DOGS for whatever piece of power they can tear off what will be left of the Mayor's office. It'll be like a gang-run, basement dog fight, with power never again consolidated in one man. Whoever wins will spend the next four years trying to build consensus among the former Daley lapdogs. I expect very little to be accomplished for Chicagoans for some time.
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written by David Jenkins, September 09, 2010
Chicago's home to some of the most successful businessmen in the country, but we have to have solid answers for them; and a plan.
What about Dan Miller...? Mike Ditka...? John Kass himself? Whoever it is, there has to be someone; and it's time to coalesce around him or her.
Personally, I think Chicago might be ready for a woman...
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written by Stephen Boulton, September 09, 2010
I don't see anyone holding the power Daley has known. I see it more like Yugoslavia after Tito: take away the strongman who kept the peace, and the different factions will quickly emerge.
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I can understand why Republicans wouldn't agree with everything that Mayor Daley has done but hardly anyone can deny that Chicago isn't a better place today than when he became Mayor in 1989. Daley has been a friend of the business community and I have heard Chicago aldermen call Daley "almost Republican like" when it comes to his relationship with the business community.
If nothing else Chicago Republicans should mourn the departure of Daley as "the devil you know", someone you disagree with on a few issues but at least you know what those issues are and there are positives to go along with the negatives. With a new mayor you are going into unfamiliar territory and there are a lot of potential candidates out there that will be far more hostile to Republican values than Richard M. Daley.
This view seems to be implied in your blog, you don't seem to bash Daley the same way you would say President Obama, you are just pointing out that this change of leadership is an opportunity for the city.