Are Cook voters ready for real independence?
From day one, writers are told to avoid cliches. But sometimes only sayings that offer a nugget of truth can explain what has transpired. For instance, I couldn’t help but notice that in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Cook County Board chairman, County Board President Todd Stroger landed in the same spot he drew in the ballot lottery to line up the field last November. Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) took the top spot and held on to it to become the Democratic Party’s nominee. And, yes, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terrence O’Brien was second, and Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown was third, which is exactly how these candidates ended up. As the old folks would say, “In life, there are no coincidences.” Stroger’s loss ended the long run of a political dynasty that he desperately tried to keep going, even though it was apparent he didn’t have the political skills that his father, the late John Stroger, had. His embarrassing defeat was a somber reminder that there are
