Barack Obama has been hailed as a reformer, one who stands for change and hope, yet when given the opportunities to actually be part of reforming the corruption that is Chicago politics, Obama took a pass.
A candidate who says he can reform Washington politics, Obama evidently didn't see a need for reform in Chicago, or he found Chicago's political machine too tough to take on.
In the 2006 election for Cook County Board President, Barack Obama chose not to endorse his long time friend and reformer Forrest Claypool who was running against John Stroger in the Democratic primary. Claypool was running a strong campaign and would have helped advance the causes that Obama purports to believe in. Stroger was a machine boss whose administration was racked with scandal and ridden by patronage and yet, Obama chose to sidestep an endorsement.
In a type of bipartisan move that Obama claims to support, Republicans and Democrats joined to support the candidacy of Forrest Claypool. Claypool won the support of many newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, the Daily Herald, the Daily Southtown, and others. In addition, he was endorsed by Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.
To give you a little background on Claypool consider his reputation for reform. In 2002, Claypool waged a fierce campaign and made a run for the Cook County Board in which he upset the incumbent Commissioner. Claypool allied himself with commissioners Larry Suffredin(D) and tony Peraica (R). In addition they were joined by Commissioner Mike Quigle and Gregg Goslin and were called "the Rebel Five".
The coalition of the Rebel Five attacked and defeated Stroger's FY 2004 budget that planned to raise the county sales tax and create a lease tax on rentals. A feat that the Chicago Sun-Times hailed with the headline Hell Freezes Over: Cook County Board rejects Stroger's budget.
The 2006 primary choice was clear...change or old style Chicago politics.
Stroger, after suffering a stroke shortly before the election, won the primary. After months of incapacitation, Stroger finally dropped out and was replaced on the ticket by his son, Todd Stroger instead of the much more qualified Claypool. Todd Stroger was serving as the Chicago alderman for the 8th Ward. Outraged by the Cook County Democratic Party's manipulation of the ticket, one Democrat went so far as to endorse the Republican opponent, Tony Peraica. (That move sounds familiar.)
This time Obama did make an endorsement. In a letter signed by both Barack Obama and Dick Durbin, they said of Todd Stroger, "Todd is a good progressive Democrat..." and continued with enthusiastic and glowing rhetoric concerning Todd's experience.
Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune saw things much differently. He said of Todd Stroger, "Yet, of course, the record reveals that Stroger is an unimaginative legislative drone whose reform credentials are wholly imaginary--an unlikely trailblazer to a new era." Scott Jacobs of The Week Behind calls Todd Stroger a "party hack".
Todd Stroger won the election, in part thanks to Barack Obama's endorsement and in February 2007, Carol Marin of the Chicago Sun-Times summarizes Stroger’s first 6 weeks in power:
In the short six weeks that he’s been in office, Stroger has behaved like an entitled brat. Private elevator. Entourage of bodyguards and coat holders.
He’s handed big salaries and ridiculous raises to his relatives and friends, while deriding questions about his mostly undelineated 17 percent cuts in vital services to the poor. He’s lacked the courage to face public criticism, skipping every public hearing on his budget where citizens were invited to attend. Hundreds showed up. Stroger never did.
Little wonder he was the lone elected official loudly booed at Barack Obama’s recent rally.
Todd Stroger stayed true to form.
And this is only one example of Obama's political machinations....let's not forget in January 2007, Obama endorsed Mayor Daley for re-election after having said in 2005 (referring to Daley) that "some of the reports I've seen in your newspaper, I think, give me huge pause." (Chicago Sun-Times)
I would think that a "reformer" would have found Chicago a perfect place to engage in reform, but when given the opportunity Obama instead endorsed and supported the old Chicago political machine. Why would I think that he has any intention of changing anything in Washington, D.C.?
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2 comments:
Don't forget to mention Rod "Hairdoo" Blagojevich. BHO endorsed Blago twice, once in 2002, and again in 2006. Blago is not only unpopular, but he is actually hated by a good many of the people in this state. His approval rating is somewhere between 15-20%, and the feds have numerous investigations into his administration and his and his wife's persoanl finances. The Rezko trial, where the witnesses testfified under oath that Blago had committed crimes, was but the first in a long line of indictments which will lead the way to Blago himself. By the time its all over, the man Obama endorsed could be going to prison for a long, long time. Come to think of it, he won't be alone. Mayor Kilpatrick will almost assuredly be joining that club very soon.
Most of this was evident in 2006 when Mr. Hopenchange endorsed Blago for reelection. Maybe its time the RNC starts making this known to the American people. Stroger, Daley, Blagojevich, Kilpatrick, and maybe throw in Deval Patrick for good measure. Judgement?? I don't think so!!
You are, of course, correct about Blagojevich.
And let's not forget that Obama launched his political career at William Ayers house. Nice company he keeps, eh?
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