Presidential nominee Sen Obama ties to Illinos and what it means... (Chicago: loans, college)

[aragx6]

I think if we're careful about this, this could be an interesting thread about what having a presidential candidate from our state could mean for us. If it can't stay on that note and instead turns into a fascism vs. socialism or similar debate it will be closed immediately. Just a fair warning...

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by JerichoHW

It's amazing that almost every rurual county in Illinois voted for him, while at the same time the ones that didin't were in far Southern Illinois.

My rural (read: white, although i would argue largely not racist) county voted for Obama over Keyes 51-47% This is ONLY time a Democrat has ever won anything in this county. Ever.

Remember though, Alan Keyes was a joke of a candidate, not an Illinois resident and an extreme right-wing lunatic. Even considering that fact, I was actually quite proud of normally straight Republican voting county for punching a Democratic circle.

Still, that election was an anomaly, and it's a very safe bet that the rural counties south of Chicago will tilt 70-80+% for McCain in this election.

Obama will still win Illinois handily, that's obvious, but I really think he's going to have a tough time selling himself in white, rural areas (not in Illinois) even with the current economy. That evangelical streak is strong in the Midwest and most of those folks are straight down the ticket Republican voters.

Originally Posted by chet everett

I think his wife is a very solid product of Whitney Young Magnet HS. I think she has some unique insights about what it must have been like growing up in Chicago and then going onto to Princeton.

The Sen himself does have a very different background. He is NOT our first non-white Senator, but he is certainly the first whose father was from African, and certainly the only Senator who serves Illinois after having gone to HS in Hawaii.

The world has changed a lot. How will things in the CHICAGO REGION and even downstate Illinois (that is more segragated by far) change becuase of this achievement?

It is a great accomplishment, but anyone remember Carol Mosely Braun? I believe she was both black and female. It was a landmark achievement that she got elected to the Senate, but she turned out to really not have that much of an impact on history, both because she was controversial and because, frankly, she wasn't a very good legislator.

Obama getting elected would be inspirational and a source of pride for many, but to me the really exciting thing is that maybe with his election we move past the "race achievement" stage into the "being judged on your merits and abilities" stage. In 2008 it is still a big deal that a black man could really and truly be President. Obama can clear that hurdle if he gets elected, but he can erase that hurdle completely if he gets elected AND is an effective leader. That would be important not just for this state, but for the Union as a whole.

[Drover]

It won't mean anything for Illinois. It's not like this is some backwater that has never been in the political spotlight. Illinois was already a politically consequential state long before Obama came along. It's not like McCain is likely to carry Illinois no matter where Obama is from.

[chet everett]

Drover:

I was thinking more of the "PR/exposure/national spotlight on important issues" than the old fashioned "bringing home the bacon", but that might apply too.

Is anybody been around long enough to remember how "ways & means" Rostenkowski managed to help stear fed projects to Chicago? Or how Speaker Hastert managed to get the ball rolling for the "Prairie Parkway" Prairie Parkway Study: Planning for the Region's Future ???

Frankly we could really benefit from having a much more visible Congressional delegation when it comes to transportation issues from the EJ&E issues with Barrington to the potential needs of the 2016 Games.

There were lots of stories of the current administration "helping" the oil bidness' and even increasing Federal Jobs in the Lone Star St. No one can deny there was a BOOM for Wal~Mart & Tyson Food in the previous administration. California got a boost during the Regan years.

What sectors of Illinois economy stand to gain the most if Obama wins? Would Arizona see some pluses if McCain wins?

It doesn't all have to be about "backwater" type efforts of Robert Byrd bringing jobs to the played coal mines of West Virginia. Maybe McCain does something for water rights from the Colorado river? I can imagine there are lots of EPA, Dept. of Interior, Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Army Corps of Engineer issues that could be influenced...
Surely Obama could have similar impact on broader issues here and nationally without being an overtly "homer"ish supporter??? Dept. of Justice under Kennedy focused on racism and the mafia. What might an Obama DoJ focus on?

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by runninfiend

It is a great accomplishment, but anyone remember Carol Mosely Braun? I believe she was both black and female. It was a landmark achievement that she got elected to the Senate, but she turned out to really not have that much of an impact on history, both because she was controversial and because, frankly, she wasn't a very good legislator.

.

Carol squeaked by in a three-way race (like the present nominee for Cook County state's atty) while Barack beat everyone who came at him, like Blair Hull. He would have beaten Ryan, too, if that weenie had enough gumption to stay in the race.

[allydriver]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I think if we're careful about this, this could be an interesting thread about what having a presidential candidate from our state could mean for us. If it can't stay on that note and instead turns into a fascism vs. socialism or similar debate it will be closed immediately. Just a fair warning...

Originally Posted by Manigault

Carol squeaked by in a three-way race (like the present nominee for Cook County state's atty) while Barack beat everyone who came at him, like Blair Hull. He would have beaten Ryan, too, if that weenie had enough gumption to stay in the race.

This has what to do with "Default Presidential nominee Sen Obama ties to Illinos and what it means..."

[Avengerfire]

It is just like any thread that involves the Cubs and Sox. They should not be allowed. It does not take Nostradamus to envision what direction the thread will go into.

[j33]

I like the idea of a president having an actual clue about what goes on in urban America. I have felt that for many years, the cities, and the residents thereof, have almost been treated like an American political pariah or regulated to invisibility. I think that a president Obama would recognize our importance to this county rather than dismissing the residents of the larger cities as somehow 'not real Americans' and ignoring our needs as has been the seeming political parlance as of late.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

It is just like any thread that involves the Cubs and Sox. They should not be allowed. It does not take Nostradamus to envision what direction the thread will go into.

Well venge, when you start your own forum Web site, you can make the rules

Until then, if it stays civil and mostly on topic I'm inclined to keep it open...

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by j33

I like the idea of a president having an actual clue about what goes on in urban America. I have felt that for many years, the cities, and the residents thereof, have almost been treated like an American political pariah or regulated to invisibility. I think that a president Obama would recognize our importance to this county rather than dismissing the residents of the larger cities as somehow 'not real Americans' and ignoring our needs as has been the seeming political parlance as of late.

Had not thought about it, but with Barack growing up in Hawaii then going to more urban settings for college/law school and settling in Chicago he is somewhat similar to the kids that grew up in rural suburban areas, then went to College in a more dense setting and have lived in/near cities. Of course some of those "kids" are probably 40's or older and now live back in the 'burbs. Still this IS pretty different than past Presidents back through about JFK, who lived in primarily in non-urban areas...