The Chicago Crowd

Way to go Jon. You always know why we Chicagoans think our greatest contribution to spectator sports is politics not the CUBS.

Thank you for letting the rest of the country in on our passion.

Incredible work! As a suburban chicago resident who tries very hard to keep up with these things, I thank you kindly for the clear, concise accounting. I'm especially impressed because I was worried we were losing you during the primary when at times you seemed swept up in the Obama 'magic' like so many of your peers. I vote for democrats most of the time but respect the balance of power more than any party. We need our "4th Branch of Government" very badly, especially when the balance is tipped so far in one direction (even if its in my preferred direction). Please remember, some of us are counting on you and your peers to speak for us, inform us and help make our government work for all of us. Very warm regards.

What caught my attention was your declaration that Obama had to endorse Burris to maintain sway with the black community. The implication is that this was not his true desire. So political expedience was at work. Of course, it can be said that this is true of all politicians. But, Obama ran on the claim of not being a "politician." Even the quasi-politically knowledgeable are aware of the "oily" politcs that comprise "The Chicago Way."How else can it be explained "the Daley Machine",Jesse Jackson( I refuse to call him reverend) & Rainbow Push, Louis Farrakhan,Tony Rezko, Rashid Kalidi, Rev. Wright, William Ayers and Fr. Phlegler all reside, comfortably, in "Chi" town. Then Obama emerges, clean and dry, from beneath the wing of Saul Alinsky with his "rules for radicals" planted in his being like a budding bush. So who is this man, Obama, who comes out of Chicago politics? The man that said he would not accept private donations then did. The man that said he wanted apublic school education for his daughters then didn't. The man that said he would end the war in Iraq in 2009 and now can't. The man that said that he would talk to enemies of America without condition, now won't, now will, now won't, whatever. Barack Obama, disciple of neo-Marxist, Saul Alinsky, heir to the community organizing throne, the destroyer of individual thought and ambition. Look to the "state" where you will find refuge. Obama the man who would be king! Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

"Rush said that for the senate to reject Burris would be the equivalent of a 'lynching'"

No wonder why Obama wanted to get the heck out of Illinois politics and into Washington, this is precisely why people like Rush, Jackson and Sharpton never got elected to anything higher than the House; you can win a district with that, but not a state or a national election.

The Dem Illinois establishment needs a kick in the proverbial behind like the Reps did in Alaska, it goes to show that ANY entrenched party will corrupt the system.

Ayers, Wright, Father Flamer, ACORN, Farrakhan, Dohrn, Blago, Daley, Emil Jones, Rezko, Aduchi, Jesse Jr., Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Hussein Homobama....and America voted for this bunch of thugs.

JonJon and his fellow groupies are gonna turn on their messiah very soon...right after the first bomb explodes....and will say..."we didn't know"....RIGHT...

NOBAMA!!!

a great piece, though there's so much more! How about the interconnections between the various members of our own first family the Daleys, and the story of Blago and Alderman Dick Mell (married his daughter to jumpstart his political career, now not on speaking terms?)

BTW, I know we're in the age of blogging and tweeting and immediacy and all that, but this piece has several typos or spelling errors. In the words of my first boss when I asked for his #1 piece of career advice: "Proofread everything, then proofread it again!"

Good piece. What is most interesting in this whole affair is that we have not heard one word from "da mayor". Are we sure that the machine has been smashed beyond recognition or has it only taken a rest from entering the fray.