CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by CaptainJilliams

It feels like momentum has been shifting in favor of Johnson the past couple of weeks, Chuy endorsing him seems to only confirm that.

I saw a new poll out showing Johnson had an advantage of 46% to Vallas' 44% with 10% of voters remaining undecided. Right-wing endorsements from people like Ken Griffin seem to be hurting Vallas' chances as the run-off draws closer.

Eh, I wouldn't trust the polls which aren't exactly independent. The election will be pretty close but Vallas is still probably barely up.

On the Chuy front, I have a Mexican coworker say something interesting after the first round of voting "The fact that Chuy wasn't able to get a way higher percentage in the Mexican areas speaks volumes."

Good endorsement to have for Johnson (fairly expected..) but I think anyone believing the Hispanic vote is a lock because of this is headed down a slippery slope. Probably will steer some undecideds though.

[bnk]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Eh, I wouldn't trust the polls which aren't exactly independent. The election will be pretty close but Vallas is still probably barely up.

On the Chuy front, I have a Mexican coworker say something interesting after the first round of voting "The fact that Chuy wasn't able to get a way higher percentage in the Mexican areas speaks volumes."

Good endorsement to have for Johnson (fairly expected..) but I think anyone believing the Hispanic vote is a lock because of this is headed down a slippery slope. Probably will steer some undecideds though.

If Vallas can get 47% at least or 50% of the diverse group of Hispanics the election will go Vallas.


Vallas has a good portion of the general concept of the Asians voters in Chicago I know and work with. Asians are very diverse ad do not vote en block.
But in general they will lean more Vallas than expected if they are really interested in voting hard.


The Forgot about diverse Asians from everywhere [ Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, Pakistanis are being overlooked.] in this election.



If they really go out and vote I see them voting 70% Vallas


But are they a large enough of a group to go out en mass?


But just like this Hispanic vote


It's not a block.


It's very diverse.

But in general, they should and will lean Vallas. IMO

[ebitdadada]

Was just out volunteering for Vallas. It was very cold and my hands hurt a bit at the end but it was worth it and I'll be back tomorrow.

I wish we lived in a world where Johnson's policies can work at a city level but we don't: Companies can't practically move out the US. Companies can direct jobs & investment away from Chicago, and with it, the tax base that supports public services, social programs, and, ironically, pensions. Johnson also lacks any experience running large government entities while Vallas has it in spades. Experience matters & we should have learned that by now. Running the City of Chicago should not be your first management job.

I say this as a person who volunteered for Obama, has voted Democrat my entire life, and would probably vote for Johnson for national office (his policies might work at a national level). Johnson should run for US House, not mayor of a city with a ~$35 billion unfunded pension obligation.

Had a convo with one of the campaign staff. Vallas has the advantage in funding and broad based appeal. He's at a major disadvantage in ground game as the CTU has a ready made army of door pounders. This election is existential in Chicago continuing to be a place that attracts jobs and investment along with all it supports. My fear is Johnson wins on ground game.

If you love this city like I think most folks on this forum do, I'd strongly encourage you to go out and volunteer or find some other way to do more this time around than just vote.

[Handro]

Originally Posted by ebitdadada

Was just out volunteering for Vallas. It was very cold and my hands hurt a bit at the end but it was worth it and I'll be back tomorrow.

I wish we lived in a world where Johnson's policies can work at a city level but we don't: Companies can't practically move out the US. Companies can direct jobs & investment away from Chicago, and with it, the tax base that supports public services, social programs, and, ironically, pensions. Johnson also lacks any experience running large government entities while Vallas has it in spades. Experience matters & we should have learned that by now. Running the City of Chicago should not be your first management job.

I say this as a person who volunteered for Obama, has voted Democrat my entire life, and would probably vote for Johnson for national office (his policies might work at a national level). Johnson should run for US House, not mayor of a city with a ~$35 billion unfunded pension obligation.

Had a convo with one of the campaign staff. Vallas has the advantage in funding and broad based appeal. He's at a major disadvantage in ground game as the CTU has a ready made army of door pounders. This election is existential in Chicago continuing to be a place that attracts jobs and investment along with all it supports. My fear is Johnson wins on ground game.

If you love this city like I think most folks on this forum do, I'd strongly encourage you to go out and volunteer or find some other way to do more this time around than just vote.

This is what I've been saying as well. Johnson's whole campaign seems to be predicated on the idea that people and companies are clamoring for a chance to move to or stay in Chicago, and will pay anything to do it. As you said, a candidate like Johnson is better off at the federal level. Local elections need boring centrists that can work within the existing framework of society to actual get things done that are going to have immediate impact. I am a progressive person in just about every way, but that doesn't mean being beholden to our ideology even if it means tanking the city. Johnson's plans just won't work in this reality.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Handro

This is what I've been saying as well. Johnson's whole campaign seems to be predicated on the idea that people and companies are clamoring for a chance to move to or stay in Chicago, and will pay anything to do it. As you said, a candidate like Johnson is better off at the federal level. Local elections need boring centrists that can work within the existing framework of society to actual get things done that are going to have immediate impact. I am a progressive person in just about every way, but that doesn't mean being beholden to our ideology even if it means tanking the city. Johnson's plans just won't work in this reality.

There are a lot of people and companies who do move here (as we know), but the thing many have learned from COVID is that companies have no issues these days establishing new hubs elsewhere (not a Chicago thing but just in general in the US). There is a point where the taxation is going to work against you. From what I've heard, Johnson is realizing that some of what he's proposing is just that. That's good, but he's not realizing that some others are yet. He could also just pull a Lightfoot and just be saying a lot of things just to get elected. Common in politics. He also cannot do everything himself. City Council still has to pass this stuff.

Either way, I agree with a lot (not all) of the social things he says but it's weird that people believe money grows on trees. You cannot just keep taxing people and expect them to be OK with it, especially in the US. I am totally pro "root causes" of all issues but to me it's truly weird that people aren't totally true root causes against the issue of being taxed *too much*.

I don't even think Vallas is that good, but to me he's probably the least likely person to completely cause a bunch of business and people to leave. His track record isn't exactly stellar either but I feel the same way as others. I might be temped to vote for Johnson for something like a Rep, but not mayor.

[Randomguy34]

Jesse Jackson has announced his endorsement for Brandon Johnson

[ChiMIchael]

I voted for Buckner even though I knew I would be the minority.

But I'm really disappointed on how there was little (if any) discussion on economics policy, especially when the solution to many of the city problems is the expand the economy. There needed to be conversation about how the city can add more quality jobs, creating new industries and expanding on already viable ones, and moving more people into the city.

I think the major problem is that the political community is too complacent about its economic standing, and it established a culture that resists thinking outside the box, where it's a strength to die on a hill. Therefore, they pander to how it constituents think the city operates.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by ChiMIchael

I voted for Buckner even though I knew I would be the minority.

But I'm really disappointed on how there was little (if any) discussion on economics policy, especially when the solution to many of the city problems is the expand the economy. There needed to be conversation about how the city can add more quality jobs, creating new industries and expanding on already viable ones, and moving more people into the city.

I think the major problem is that the political community is too complacent about its economic standing, and it established a culture that resists thinking outside the box, where it's a strength to die on a hill. Therefore, they pander to how it constituents think the city operates.

I agree, the way Chicago gets out of its fiscal mess is to grow the economy. Johnson's tax plan includes:

City Income tax
Employee head tax
Financial trade tax
Hotel tax increase to the highest in the country
Commuter tax

Each of these are job killers, which will only make Chicago's economy weaker.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I agree, the way Chicago gets out of its fiscal mess is to grow the economy. Johnson's tax plan includes:

City Income tax
Employee head tax
Financial trade tax
Hotel tax increase to the highest in the country
Commuter tax

Each of these are job killers, which will only make Chicago's economy weaker.

Johnson is absolutely insane if he thinks those additional taxes would help Chicago's economy. What a fucking joke..I don't know how anyone could justify any of that.

Vallas and his team need to latch on to exactly this nonsense and drive home that point that these new additions would cripple Chicago to the point that there would be a massive exodus out. Great way to push even more people permanently out of the City.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by sentinel

Johnson is absolutely insane if he thinks those additional taxes would help Chicago's economy. What a fucking joke..I don't know how anyone could justify any of that.

Vallas and his team need to latch on to exactly this nonsense and drive home that point that these new additions would cripple Chicago to the point that there would be a massive exodus out. Great way to push even more people permanently out of the City.

Well remind your friends and family to vote for Vallas.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I agree, the way Chicago gets out of its fiscal mess is to grow the economy. Johnson's tax plan includes:

City Income tax
Employee head tax
Financial trade tax
Hotel tax increase to the highest in the country
Commuter tax

Each of these are job killers, which will only make Chicago's economy weaker.

So im not a Johnson fan because of his taxes but he's walked back on the income tax part as well as the commuter tax. He aligns himself with some group who recommended a city income tax but he's not biting on it. I've also heard that some people talked sense into him regarding the commuter tax and how dumb it is.

Not sure about the other stuff but they are bad. While I won't be voting for Johnson, it's important to at least be accurate.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by marothisu

So im not a Johnson fan because of his taxes but he's walked back on the income tax part as well as the commuter tax. He aligns himself with some group who recommended a city income tax but he's not biting on it. I've also heard that some people talked sense into him regarding the commuter tax and how dumb it is.

Not sure about the other stuff but they are bad. While I won't be voting for Johnson, it's important to at least be accurate.

Agree, but from my perspective, the fact he went out the gate with that then had to start walking it back is even more evidence he shouldn't be at the helm. He has no good optics for what the city needs, instead he's looking at everything through the lenses of equity and social justice.

His tactics shift from one debate to another (based on the few i've seen). In the first forum I watched, he basically tried to paint Vallas as racist. He also tried to suggest that he knows that cops go through because he saw things first hand as a teacher..... Which makes no sense.

He has since backed off those tactics, while shifting to new ones - Like suggesting Vallas can't manage a budget, etc, etc. Vallas, for his part, has maintained consistency throughout these debates.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by twister244

Agree, but from my perspective, the fact he went out the gate with that then had to start walking it back is even more evidence he shouldn't be at the helm. He has no good optics for what the city needs, instead he's looking at everything through the lenses of equity and social justice.

His tactics shift from one debate to another (based on the few i've seen). In the first forum I watched, he basically tried to paint Vallas as racist. He also tried to suggest that he knows that cops go through because he saw things first hand as a teacher..... Which makes no sense.

He has since backed off those tactics, while shifting to new ones - Like suggesting Vallas can't manage a budget, etc, etc. Vallas, for his part, has maintained consistency throughout these debates.

All this. Johnson's default is more taxation, racism and pro criminal. He can change what he says from day to day, but the record is there.

[marothisu]

Yeah, look. I'm not voting for Johnson and I agree but it's good to be accurate. I don't think it's a weak point that someone talked sense into the guy about commuter tax. My only hope for him is that (1) Someone talks sense into him about how dumb the other taxes are and (2) city council would have better sense than passing regressive taxes.

I don't disagree with some of his social points, but the way he goes around raising the revenue specifically for Chicago is bad bad bad. It will have negative consequences unfortunately. Kills me to say it but it's obvious.

[lakeshoredrive]

I need this election to be over with already. It can’t come soon enough.

[marothisu]

Lol Bobby Rush is endorsing Vallas for mayor. It's been a very interesting endorsement "season" in this election.

[marothisu]

1) A bunch of Aldermen on the south and west sides already endorsed Vallas.

2) I'm not a Lightfoot fan at all, but I'm sure as you've seen I actually study the crime data. I've contributed to multiple articles about crime trends here not just in the US but also overseas publications. The entire US has seen a violence surge during COVID and not just Chicago. Not even close. And while things like robbery are rising again they are still lower than they were even 5 or 6 years ago. And murders rose to an unacceptable rate, and have been decreasing (YTD lower than 2018 or 2017 now). I'm not going to defend LL but if you want to be an actual smart, knowledgeable citizen and voter then arm yourself with actual knowledge and stop the bullshit.

[Klippenstein]

And Paul Vallas just got endorsed by Darren Bailey.

Lori Lightfoot is looking more and more like the Jane Byrne to Brandon Johnson's Harold Washington. Brandon Johnson has quite a coalition growing. And you know what this makes Paul Vallas? Bernard Epton.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Klippenstein

And Paul Vallas just got endorsed by Darren Bailey.

Lori Lightfoot is looking more and more like the Jane Byrne to Brandon Johnson's Harold Washington. Brandon Johnson has quite a coalition growing. And you know what this makes Paul Vallas? Bernard Epton.

Why stop there? If you take the analogy further and Johnson becomes mayor ala Washington, then he'll be one of Chicago's future worst mayors. Yay!!

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by sentinel

Why stop there? If you take the analogy further and Johnson becomes mayor ala Washington, then he'll be one of Chicago's future worst mayors. Yay!!

Never heard that one before. Funny that his approval rating was pretty good before he was re-elected. Though the establishment democrats and republicans sure did hate him.