Hell Approaches Freezing Point
This is actually remarkable. As almost everyone knows, the city of Chicago is America’s nearest thing to a one-party state; probably only San Francisco rivals it. That won’t change in my lifetime. What is a bit less known is that over the past 20 years or so, the vast Chicago suburbs and exurbs, which in an earlier era sent to Congress such Republican stalwarts as Phil Crane, Henry Hyde, and Dennis Hastert, have become increasingly firm Democratic territory, with only the odd moderate or two, like Mark Kirk, holding on to House seats. It was this shift that essentially transformed Illinois from a purple state into a blue one.
Well. This year, Republicans held their existing seats comfortably and picked up two more on election night. And now comes word that the final suburban congressional district – IL-8, which had been in Democratic hands since 2004 – has been won in a squeaker not only by a Republican, but by a Tea Party Republican – Joe Walsh. Republicans now control the entire Illinois suburban congressional delegation. Folks, if a Tea Party Republican can win in the Chicago suburbs – in Obama’s home state – there are a lot more potential gains out there, given the right candidates and the right message.
- Comment (5)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments :
Re: Hell Approaches Freezing Point
Pray on Sunday for the continued ascendancy within the Democratic Party of the unholy trinity of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid.
May '10
Re: Hell Approaches Freezing Point
Steve -- I don't know if you use Twitter, but there is someone Tweeting as @MayorEmanuel that I think is hilarious... and I don't even understand 90% of the jokes which relate to Chicago politics.
Edited on Nov 17, 2010 at 10:41amJul '10
Re: Hell Approaches Freezing Point
Yes, there are an awful lot more opportunities out there. Constitutionalists are an under served constituency.
Edited on Nov 17, 2010 at 11:28amMay '10
Re: Hell Approaches Freezing Point
So Evanston doesn't count? And I bewail my beloved Lincoln Park.
Oct '10
Re: Hell Approaches Freezing Point
Steve Manacek:
Folks, if a Tea Party Republican can win in the Chicago suburbs – in Obama’s home state – there are a lot more potential gains out there, given the right candidates and the right message.
I wish I believed it were a lasting shift. We see Obama's election as sui generis, but some of the demographics seem to be signaling our ultimate destination. The 2010-12 season could well be the temporary phenomenon.
In 2008, Obama managed to flip NC into the Democratic column. African Americans contributed to that success, but the Democratic vote was still concentrated in what may be only temporarily volatile urban/suburban areas. City dwellers are necessarily predisposed to collective, centralized decision making, and in a service economy, their ranks will inexobrably grow.
It is not surprising that Republicans find support in exurban areas where people not only think of themselves as more self-suficient, but where they also interact with each other in very different ways. In Manhattan, for instance, you can buy a ticket to the symphony. In smaller communities you must first create one yourselves.
The "right" urban message may be just as different too. Will it be fundamentally Republican?