Stroger gets a break as rivals regroup
[This article was syndicated via RSS from Greg Hinz. The views represented do not necessarily represent those of the Chicago Daily Observer.]
My, what a difference a few days make.If you'd asked me, say, at a Memorial Day barbecue about the future of embattled Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, I would have said it was non-existent, total toast.
After all, the Daley clan had backed away from him. County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, who almost defeated Mr. Stroger's father four years ago, was planning to run again, with all the money and media support in the world. Mr. Claypool even was interviewing perspective campaign managers. And waiting in the wings as a Republican was Paul Vallas, who was preparing to come home and pick up the reform torch if Mr. Claypool somehow came up short.
That, as we now know, was then. Mr. Vallas isn't coming home — at least not now. Mr. Claypool is retiring to the private sector — apparently, good sources say, because his heart wasn't in another brutal race for countywide office. And Mr. Stroger has occasion to do something he hasn't done much lately: smile.
The political question now is who, if anyone, will fill the Claypool/Vallas void. On this rainy Friday, there's an awful lot of talking going on among an awful lot of people. But, so far, most of it is just that: talk.
For instance, Commissioner Larry Suffredin is putting together an exploratory committee. Though he broke with reformers in backing Mr. Stroger's big sales tax hike last year and carries some baggage from his day job as a Springfield lobbyist, he correctly reminds us that "Forrest and (ex-Commissioner) Mike Quigley and I did a lot together over the last few years."
County Assessor Jim Houlihan, who had planned to seek re-election in 2010, now says he's "re-evaluating and considering" his options. Mr. Houlihan certainly has the knowledge and skills to run the county. The question is whether he has the reform skills and, at age 66, the energy.
County Sheriff Tom Dart, a new-look official of regular organization pedigree, has received national publicity for recent moves like refusing to evict people in the midst of the severe recession. Mr. Dart says he's being urged to run and "I'm looking at it," but he concedes a race is a longshot. His term as sheriff is up in 2010, so running for board president is "an all-or-nothing proposition," he says.
Then there are a host of potential African-American challengers who may be prepared to take on Mr. Stroger in his political base.
Like Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown. She's pondering, and she's a known force. But she hasn't pulled the trigger yet and has received terrible press for her reluctant decision to finally stop accepting campaign cash from employees in her office.
And Alderman Tony Preckwinkle (4th), a lakefronter from the Hyde Park area who has appeal to lots of different groups. But her campaign hasn't shown much sign of life lately. The question is whether it will be revived by the departure of Messrs. Claypool and Vallas.
I don't think West Side Congressman Danny Davis will do it. He would if Mr. Stroger and everyone else cleared the field for him, but that's not happening. On the other hand, former Chicago Housing Authority boss and Alderman Terry Peterson is said to be reconsidering in the wake of recent events.
Almost certainly one or more of those listed above are likely to run. And one of them likely will be the favorite, given Mr. Stroger's recent stumbles.
But, in much the same way that stock market traders say you can't fight the tape, politicians can't ignore shifts in momentum.
Todd Stroger has received a pair of stunning political breaks in recent days. We'll see if he can take advantage of them in days to come.
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