The 'Bradley Effect'

In 1983, when Harold Washington became Chicago's first black mayor, "It's our turn" resonated as a slogan throughout Chicago's black communities. Whites engaged in equally divisive rhetoric. That kind of polarization is far less evident now, says Jackson, who is weighing running for mayor of Chicago and favors "It's time for change" as his own mayoral-campaign motto. Asked pointedly whether Ford will fall victim to the Bradley Effect, Jackson replies, "Let's hope this is a different time and we are in a different space than we were maybe 20 years ago."

Ford's entire career has been built on the assumption that we are indeed in a very different place than when Bradley loss his bid to become governor of California. It would be nice, and not only for Ford, if that assumption proves to be true.

© 2006