See how Chicago politics works?

John Kass is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. He has the ability to explain politics and clout in clear language. The following is today’s column:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-04-apr03,0,5900624.column

The subject of the above article is the 2002 Illinois Elections, which resulted in Rod Blagojevich’s first term as governor. Paul Vallas ran against Blagojevich in the Democratic primary in 2002. Vallas was an outsider who was chosen to head the Chicago Public School system. He made many local politicians uncomfortable with his cost cutting and reforms in the school system and he was fired by Mayor Richard Daley. When Vallas decided to run for Governor the established political system backed Blagojevich. During the primary campaign Vallas was leading in the polls, especially in districts populated predominately by African Americans. To counter the Vallas threat Roland Burris enters the race for Governor.

Kass describes this process brilliantly in these paragraphs:

“Vallas lost the 2002 primary to Blagojevich by about 25,000 votes out of 1.3 million votes cast. He lost in a squeeze play featuring Blagojevich and his loyal wingman, longtime political hack and current U.S. Sen. Roland "Tombstone" Burris.

Burris had no hope of winning, but he did an excellent job blocking for Blagojevich. Burris played the race card, saying he was more qualified than those "white boy" opponents of his, ham-handedly reminding constituents that he was indeed black. He also helped bring those votes to Lisa Madigan, a daughter of the machine, now the state attorney general who wants to become governor and share Illinois with her daddy.

There are no coincidences in politics. Burris came in third and later began receiving state contracts from Gov. Blagojevich, who, in a last desperate act before being forced out of office, appointed Burris to the U.S. Senate. See how Chicago politics works?”