Political Dodgeball

From the emailbag comes an item from our erstwhile alderman's political party trumpeting Chris Adam's apparent link to "Republican red". Well, this more like JoMo taking advantage of an opportunity to score political points, or so he thinks.

To wit from the email:
Aldermanic Wannabe Cozies Up to Right-Wing Group Boy that's an eye catcher!! Scary ain't it?! Dyed in the wool blue voters will surely turn their collective backs on Adams! Right?

This is what Adams is really going to be doing:
Forty-ninth Ward aldermanic candidate Chris Adams will moderate an "Economic Development Forum" sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, a right-wing advocacy organization. The forum was announced in a direct mail piece sent to all registered voters in the 49th Ward.

The Evahl Organization he is helping (and don't get me started about the looneytoon budget theatrics on Capitol Hill, featuring both parties performing at their nadir):
According to its website, www.americansforprosperity.org, Americans for Prosperity advocates "limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels." The causes championed by the organization include privatization of Social Security, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), school vouchers, and so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) laws, which have resulted in serious under-funding of essential government services where enacted.

And just in case you missed the message about The Evahl Organization:
The home page of the Americans for Prosperity website provides a link to register for the "34th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference," which features speakers, such as Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, conservative commentator Ann Coulter, and long-time right-wing activist Phyllis Shlafly.

Joanna Trotter of the Metropolitan Planning Council, was one of the scheduled participants in the forum, but pulled out after discovering the true identity of the sponsoring organization.

Proof of the karmic wheel in action:
"That Adams would choose to associate himself with such a right wing organization just shows how out of touch he is with our community's values," said Alex Armour, spokesperson for Alderman Joe Moore.

And we all know that protecting Loretta Swit's feathered friends is a community value. But wait, there's more!

"The 49th Ward wants and deserves an alderman who will answer to the people of the ward, not to big business and the downtown interests," said Armour.

That final quote has (substitute "developers" for big business and downtown interests) crossed the lips of at least 2 and likely all 3 challengers.

Quibble if you must about Adam's choice of supporters. The Chamber has been honest about their intent to bounce JoMo out of his comfy council chair. However, Adams may get the last laugh. The actual flyer for the forum states:

But in recent years, the economy of the 49th ward has gone the direction of the community’s four fabled movie palaces - the Howard, Adelphi, Granada, and Norshore Theaters. Just as the theaters succumbed to the region’s economic hardships, so have other local businesses. Storefronts stand vacant, reminders of Rogers Park’s business potential. Tens of thousands of dollars leave the ward every month as residents look elsewhere for such things as household goods, clothing,
entertainment and dining.

That paragraph sums up the essence of this year's race. It is why JoMo has 3 challengers. I'd like to see JoMo booted out with one voting cycle, but I'll settle for a runoff, and I'll like it even more if he isn't in it. I don't think Adams has a prayer either way, but I must note that, once more, JoMo dodges the issues.