Elmwood Park Republicans (Chicago, Cicero, Arlington Heights: homes, college, suburbs)

[potter]

I have noticed a large amount of John Mccain signs on the lawns of Elmwood Park homes. I have noticed that the neighboring suburbs of Oak Park and River Forest have a large abundance of Obama signs. Funny how towns so close to each other could take such different political stances. Please comment on why this is.

[potter]

Oak Park is Obamaland. Last night, I was driving down Oak Park Avenue from Washington to North Avenue and there must have been 100 Obama signs on that stretch alone. Kind of overdone and in your face.

[oakparkdude]

The short answer is different socio-economic and demographic profile.

[Lookout Kid]

There's more to it than that. A month ago I was in a small town in a portion of Wisconsin known for conservative politics, and there were no McCain/Palin signs to be found, but LOTS of Obama signs. This is when I knew that McCain was in trouble. This town is a largely working class, rural area with no racial diversity, but the Obama signs were quite ubiquitous. One resident told me that people there are just fed up with the Republicans after eight years.

Why is this not happening in Elmwood Park? I can think of two reasons:

1. People in Elmwood Park are suspicious of the Democrats in Illinois, because the Democrats in Illinois control a corrupt political machine.

2. Many residents of Elwood Park have reservations about a black candidate.

[Johnny Northside]

Politics in Elmwood Park are largely a Republican operation. The mayor, Peter Silvestri (also a member of the county board), is a Republican. The representative in the state legislature, Skip Saviano, is a Republican. In addition, EP politics have been tied together with the Stephens Republican machine that controls Rosemont, Triton College and other nearby municipalities and public entities. It follows that most of the people who bother to show their allegiance will be doing so to appease the local powers. Yard signs are as much about getting the streetlight in your alley repaired as they are about your actual support for the candidate.

[cubssoxfan]

In Arlington Heights I see BOTH McCain signs and Obama signs. OMG! What is the world coming to? Is this diversity? And if my neighbor has a sign I don't agree with, I still consider him/her a neighbor and I'm friendly to them. I don't act like they have 2 heads or came on an alien ship. NOw we're not walking down the street singing Kumba Ya, but we know how to disagree with civility and how to put friendship before politics. I wish more of the country would try this.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

...Why is this not happening in Elmwood Park? I can think of two reasons:

1. People in Elmwood Park are suspicious of the Democrats in Illinois, because the Democrats in Illinois control a corrupt political machine.

2. Many residents of Elwood Park have reservations about a black candidate.

The real reason:
Most of the NW burbs and many of the near west burbs (although some of the near west burbs are going totally blue in the last couple of decades like Franklin Park, Melrose Park,Cicero,etc...) have had a strong Republican presence for many decades.

These same people in Elmwood Park are the type I talk about that register as Democrats and vote either Dem. or Rep. in local and state contests, but usually vote Rep. in the national election.

There are tons of people like this on the Northwest side as wells as the Northwest and West suburbs.

You should look into Bernard Epton. He almost became mayor of Chicago in 1983 and he was a Republican. I still remember one of the pre-election rallys down Northwest Highway that went from Park Ridge to Jefferson Park.

[ncc]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

There's more to it than that. A month ago I was in a small town in a portion of Wisconsin known for conservative politics, and there were no McCain/Palin signs to be found, but LOTS of Obama signs. This is when I knew that McCain was in trouble. This town is a largely working class, rural area with no racial diversity, but the Obama signs were quite ubiquitous. One resident told me that people there are just fed up with the Republicans after eight years.

Why is this not happening in Elmwood Park? I can think of two reasons:

1. People in Elmwood Park are suspicious of the Democrats in Illinois, because the Democrats in Illinois control a corrupt political machine.

2. Many residents of Elwood Park have reservations about a black candidate.

Many EP residents are small-business owners. hence, they're Republicans. They're mostly located in the southern end of EP.

[ncc]

Originally Posted by johnny northside

politics in elmwood park are largely a republican operation. The mayor, peter silvestri (also a member of the county board), is a republican. The representative in the state legislature, skip saviano, is a republican. In addition, ep politics have been tied together with the stephens republican machine that controls rosemont, triton college and other nearby municipalities and public entities. It follows that most of the people who bother to show their allegiance will be doing so to appease the local powers. Yard signs are as much about getting the streetlight in your alley repaired as they are about your actual support for the candidate.

lol!!

[Irishtom29]

Italian Republicans crack me up; the Wasps and Bible thumpers who control the party wouldn't pee on a swarthy Latin Catholic if he was on fire.