By The Beachwood Lonely Dissenter Affairs Desk
Ald. Billy Ocasio cast the lone vote against Mayor Daley’s budget. Here he is explaining why.
[- Via Newsalert via Progress Illinois via WTTW]
Posted on November 28, 2008
Obama’s Small Donor Myth
By The Campaign Finance Institute
Editor’s Note: Sigh.
REALITY CHECK: Obama Received About the Same Percentage from Small Donors in 2008 as Bush in 2004
Obama also raised 80% more from large donors than small, outstripping all rivals and predecessors
It turns out that Barack Obama’s donors may not have been quite as different as we had thought. Throughout the election season, this organization and others have been reporting that Obama received about half of his discrete contributions in amounts of $200 or less. The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) noted in past releases that donations are not the same as donors, since many people give more than once. After a more thorough analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), it has become clear that repeaters and large donors were even more important for Obama than we or other analysts had fully appreciated.
“The myth is that money from small donors dominated Barack Obama’s finances,” said CFI’s executive director Michael J. Malbin. “The reality of Obama’s fundraising was impressive, but the reality does not match the myth.”
Posted on November 25, 2008
Hand ‘Em Over, Blago
By The Better Government Association
Court upholds ruling that Blagojevich must disclose subpoenas
Springfield, Illinois (Nov. 20, 2008) – The Better Government Association (“BGA”) is thrilled that the 4th District Court of Appeals has upheld the public’s right to know. Today, the court ruled that the BGA is entitled to federal grand jury subpoenas that have been served upon the Blagojevich administration. The BGA first requested these documents in July 2006. After repeated denials for the information, in January 2007, the BGA sued Governor Blagojevich under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).
Posted on November 21, 2008
I Totally Voted For . . .
Poll Daze
By Steve Rhodes
The conventional wisdom seems to be that each presidential candidate’s reaction to the country’s economic collapse was the key moment in the campaign when Barack Obama surged ahead. I’ve harbored suspicions myself that it was less the economic situation than the collective weight of attacks – some justified, some not – on Sarah Palin that cast doubt on the Republican ticket. Looking at this poll graphic by Pollster.com, John McCain seems to have actually inched ahead on or about Sept. 10. After that, it was all over.
Just what happened on Sept. 10 and the days to follow? I went back and took a look. Here are representative headlines from around the country at that time.
Posted on November 10, 2008
A Guide To Blue State Living
By The Beachwood Blue State Affairs Desk
We know it’s been awhile since some of you out there in the real America lived in a blue state, so we thought we’d help you through this transition time with some handy hints for blue state living. Feel free to adjust accordingly to your local needs.
1. When paying for your “latte” always pay with George Washington, Abe Lincoln or Andrew Jackson face down. This is our way of saying “We hate America.”
2. When you go “looking for your handout,” stake out your street corner bright and early. Remember, the early bird always gets someone else’s hard-earned pay first.
3. There’s no need to pull your kids out of private school to demonstrate your support of public schools. Public schools are to be pitied, not enrolled in.
Posted on November 7, 2008
Grant Park, USA
By Michelle Renee Perkins
We face neither East nor West; we face Forward
– Kwame Nkrumah
Posted on November 5, 2008
The Beachwood Election Guide For Change 2008
By Steve Rhodes
Remember, you can take this into the voting booth with you.
PRESIDENT: Except for a brief shining call for real reform coming out of the Republican convention, John McCain has run a lousy campaign that has just gotten worse as it has gone along. He’s not George W. Bush, he’s George H. W. Bush, reprising the 1988 spectacle that was built around flag factories and the Pledge of Allegiance. The assertion that Barack Obama is a radical with a secret radical plan is not only scurrilous, it’s ignorant.
On the other hand, how can any of us here in Chicago who have longed for an end to our thoroughly corrupt political system vote for a man whose political godfather was Tony Rezko and whose political mentor was Emil Jones? How much more do you need to know? That the Daleys are thrilled with the prospect of an Obama presidency? That Rahm Emanuel is licking his lips? Do you really think change is on the way?
Posted on November 3, 2008