The wealthy portion tend to be fiscally conservative but are socially liberal. They have voted Republican, but are also willing to vote Democratic when presented with a “non-threatening” candidate — that is, one that does not scream about raising taxes. This segment, along with card carrying Democrats, helped get Bean into office.

The low-to-mid middle class portion are socially conservative and mostly loyal to the Republican party. They have supported reactionary Republican candidates for national office, and are less likely to switch parities for anyone — Bean included.

Maybe this is what confuses people about IL-8: that the wealthy are the best chance to get a Democrat elected, and the working class portion is the most likely to vote Republican.

Drive through the district: in the North, there are more churches than places to eat; in the west, there is more retail, recreation and estates.

So, how did Bean win, and how will she continue to win? By stressing conservative tax positions and toeing the line on major issues so as to not be called out by Republicans.

As a result, Bean is one of the most conservative, reactionary representatives in the House calling herself a Democrat. She knows the local and state party will support her simply because she is an incumbent. Bean doesn’t care what anyone here or on any Democratic blog has to say about her. In fact, your opinions of her only demonstrate to her what she should be against. Bean would have run as a Republican had the opportunity presented itself, but with Crane as the incumbent, her only chance was to run as a Democrat. (Crane, it turns out, did more for progressive politics in the district simply by being drunk and not showing up to vote. Bean’s problem is simply that she is there and votes.)

I know all this because I have spoken to her on numerous occasions, seen her at work on the campaign trail, and live in her district.

As long as Bean is in Congress she will vote for Pelosi for majority leader and vote with the Democrats on procedural issues. Otherwise, she will vote with the Republicans.

That’s simply the way it is. Either live with a Democrat who votes with the Republicans in order to secure the committee chairs, or sacrifice a seat for in hopes of getting a candidate who you care about.

Not to pick on Appalachia, but as many have noted it is in that region of America where this effect is most stark… And WV is smack in the middle.

Still, I can’t believe you’re not blogging on the night that Obama finally clinches it. Well, yeah, Indy is a tie, but even if she doesn’t actually quit tomorrow, the superdels will roll in the next week.

It’s over. We won!

Or at least a community that elected Blacks and then Whites.

Many of the communities that have elected an African-American for mayor, etc, in the midst of social dislocation or upheaval, and don’t again elect a white–leading to some to quietly consider the town “lost”.

Statewide, the Washington years also had the fortunate effect of bringing together Cook County’s first “Dream Ticket” (including Judge Pucinski for Circuit Clerk and Ambassador Braun for Recorder), setting the stage for “upticket” statewide races (certainly not begrudging Roland Burris’ wins as Comptroller, but his election as AG, along with CMB and Secretary White’s wins, were greatly benefited by the novelty of Blacks high on the ticket having worn off).

Frankly, in this regard, an African-American at the top of an Illinois ticket or serving as chief executive is as noteworthy as Tiger Woods winning a tournament. This small step has been little noticed by the national press and commentators–probably because it would stand in the way of their prejudged notions.

The history of Chicago may come to see the Byrne-Washington administrations as the interregnum between Daleys, but contemporaneous viewers see the importance of both mayors in re-engaging disaffected Independents and Progressive Democrats back into the electoral process.

Christian “Badass in the Dojo” Finnegan had a good take on equally (in)appropriate Douglasses.

At least it wasn’t Frederick Douglass and a picture of the Lincoln Tunnel.

(Bring back the hat pic, Arch!)

His ability to overcome his enemies both in the elections and on the job (maybe a tougher task) made me a fan for life. I wish his life had been longer; the link above is to something I wrote on the twentieth anniversary of his death. Thank you for commemorating a happier anniversary.