Garcia,
who has constantly touted the fact that when he was an alderman back in the 1980s
he was an ally of then-Mayor Harold Washington, wants for the bulk of the black
vote to turn out on April 7 in his favor.
GARCIA
ALREADY SEEMS to have the bulk of the Latino vote. If combined with
liberal-minded white people AND a large share of black voters, it could be
enough for the Cook County commissioner from the Little Village neighborhood to
prevail in his bid to dump Rahm from office.
So
in that sense, having a prominent public personage such as Jackson on his side
could help in getting black voters who might otherwise have trouble coming
around to support a Latino official to actually do so.
Although
the question remains as to whether Jackson is more powerful politically in
terms of addressing the major issues confronting our society, while
insignificant when talking about local concerns.
It
could turn out that the local pastors might have a stronger pull in getting
their congregation members to vote in a certain way. While such voters may
cheer for Jesse when he speaks, they’re more likely to listen to whomever they
follow at their local churches.
BUT
GARCIA WANTS to be able to claim black voters, and not just because he needs
them in order to win. It’s kind of hard to claim to be a progressive voice for
change if the black voter bloc is more or less content with the way things are.
The
reality of the municipal elections last month is that the bulk of voters in
black-oriented wards supported Emanuel for re-election over all the other
candidates.
Even
Willie Wilson, who based his campaign on the idea that black voters would put
him into office, wound up only getting about 20 percent of the vote in those
wards (while being irrelevant in the rest of Chicago).
Both
Emanuel and Garcia have sought Wilson’s support, and he has had meetings with
both men to talk about endorsement opportunities. Although he seems to be more
interested in being perceived as a political player than in actually doing
anything to be one.
THESE
DAYS, HE’S focusing his attention on the state budget mess that the government
in Springfield is confronting. The Capitol Fax newsletter reported how he
offered to be the intermediary between the Legislature’s black caucus and Gov.
Bruce Rauner – who himself is a friend of Emanuel.
Not
that the caucus members were all that sympathetic to dealing with Wilson in
such a capacity. For him to get involved in the mayoral campaigns any further
could kill off his own public perception.
So
now, we’re getting to seeking Jackson’s support. Although I suspect the “Jackson”
name has taken so many public perception hits that it might not have the same
influence it used to – and not just because “Jr.” is still serving time toward
his federal prison sentence (with spouse Sandi to do her time once he returns
to Chicago).
If
anything, the latest poll from Ogden & Fry could wind up being the most
accurate view of the campaign status – Emanuel has a five-point lead over
Garcia with 18 percent still undecided. Which is about the same as the poll
done the week before.
NO
CHANGE IN support levels, with one less week of time in which to actually
campaign.
That
same poll also showed 40 percent of African-American voters saying they prefer
Rahm, compared to 33 percent for Chuy – and 27 percent more still undecided.
No
wonder Garcia wants help in getting that just over a quarter of black voters to
decide they want him instead of Rahm at City Hall.
Although
a part of me thinks back to the 2002 film “Barbershop” and wonders how many
potential voters learned of Jackson’s endorsement Monday and had the same thought
that Cedric the Entertainer’s “Eddie” character had toward the reverend?
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