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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color="#003300" face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#003300'>(Today’s
quiz: what does <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City></st1:place>
ward politics have in common with Santa Claus?)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>This morning I was awakened, quite
literally, by the voice of Mayor Daley –obviously on the news- praising
John Stroger.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>And while the urge was to pull up the covers,
the report has inspired me to take action. (<i><span style='font-style:italic'>Please
join me</span></i> -- that’s the call-to-action for this note. Skip to
the bottom if you want to avoid my attempt at compelling direct mail copy.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>We know why Daley is doing what he is: He
may have opposition next year. This is called pay-it-forward politics. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Until I moved to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City></st1:place> I didn’t fully appreciate what
the term “patronage army” really means. I received both my formal
education and informal training in a state where one registers a party
affiliation with the election board. My mom was a precinct committeewoman but,
in my home state, being a loyal party member just meant you supported Democrats
in general, not her personal choice.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Then I attended, on behalf of Forrest
Claypool, my first Ward endorsement meeting. I watched as names were checked
off the list of “official” Democrats. I asked the list-checker how
one got on the list; she didn’t know. Friends who live in the Ward say
they’ve never figured it out either. But there clearly is a list and they
all know it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<pre><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>My next eye-opener was when I ran an errand for the Claypool campaign office: I picked up the daily report of the <u>names</u> of the people who have <u>already</u> (early) <u>voted</u>. Did you know that list is public? The ward list-keepers can check off names daily. (Hum with me: <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.) <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></font></pre><pre><i><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></pre><pre><font
size=1 color="#003300" face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#003300'>(New quiz: Why did the Daily Herald “strongly endorse” Forrest and yet put Stroger’s name in the headline?)</span></font><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>”The Go-Along-to-Get-Along Workers” -- For those of you who have lived in naïve-land with me, let’s review: You are just a regular fellow who wants to be socially accepted in your neighborhood, at the kid’s school, down at the pub, etc. Wouldn’t you show up when and where the ward “boss” directs? Maybe you’d even believe suggestions that the new computer voting process lets the ward boss know <u>how</u> you voted. Thus, might you not feel required to both tow and toe the party line?<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Now I’m back to the Call-to-Action.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Citizens for Claypool needs YOUR help. <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Donations are nice (and very much appreciated) but they won’t replace feet-on-the-street.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Some of you have already been helping by hosting fundraisers, sponsoring events, etc. Thank you; thank you; thank you. You are what got Forrest’s campaign to the point that, per today’s news, Stroger is switching to the Governor’s media advisors to run even nastier ads. And your help is probably what got RMD out talking about Stroger. <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>But if you really and truly want Forrest Claypool elected President of the Cook County Board, now is the time to put on your sneakers and join the day-to-day campaign volunteers. Take some time off work if you have to -- consider it your plan to hold down your taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;font-weight:bold'>Here’s how you can help<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre style='margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'>Election day – March 21 – people power: going door-to-door in targeted areas to get out the vote; driving voters to the polls; poll watching <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='margin-left:.25in'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'>March 17-20: more people power: getting lit out to targeted neighborhoods; poll watching at the nursing homes that have special early voting (where even the elections board staffers say the shenanigans happen)<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre style='margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'>March 11-12 – this weekend: Be visible Claypool supporters at one of the St. Pat’s Day parades – Saturday downtown and Sunday on the south side. Bring your kids and carloads of neighbors!<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>To sign up for any activity, just reply back to me. <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Or, better yet, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>sign up online at <a
href="http://www.forrestclaypool.com/">www.forrestclaypool.com</a></span></b> . Put in the Notes box the details of when you are available, what you can do (ie, walk the parade, poll watch, drive people to vote, etc.).<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Or call the campaign office at 773-271-9500. Or drop by the campaign office at <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">4548 N. Western Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> (at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place>). (Remember – you can get out the vote for <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Debra</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Shore</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> at the same time you are helping Forrest.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Personally, I’m convinced if Forrest does not win, the opportunity for reform in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Cook</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> government will be lost for decades. I share the conventional wisdom that it is John Stroger’s intention to resign early and hand-pick his successor. It is abundantly clear he wasn’t even planning on having to defend his seat: The Stroger campaign did not reserve a web address until late January. <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>But they have a huge campaign stash, financial help from unions and others tied into their establishment, and a vast number of street-workers with a vested interested in Stroger’s reelection – all panicked that they will lose their jobs when Forrest takes over.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>And yet, all the research (public and private) shows that<b><span
style='font-weight:bold'> Forrest will win if we just get out the vote.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></pre><pre><b><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></pre><pre><b><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;font-weight:bold'>Please help us make that happen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Randi Doeker<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Just another volunteer for Forrest Claypool<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Who otherwise would be worrying about <a
href="http://www.birdsandbuildings.org/">Birds & Buildings</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>PS: You are thinking: But I’m voting Republican; I forgot to register; or even, I don’t live in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Cook</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. So what. No one is going to check your credentials before you wave a sign at a parade!<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Kudos if you have read this far. Sorry: I don’t know why the Daily Herald’s initial endorsement online editorial of Claypool had the headline “Democratic Nomination for Stroger”. It was corrected by 9am. I bet there is an interesting story behind the snafu. If anyone has a print copy, I’m curious about how that headline read.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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