Some political observations from my trip to Chicago.

[TheBigGuy]

My trip to Chicago was not about politics but one of my occasional visists (at least twice a year) to my old hometown. ..its more about exploring the neighborhoods, stocking up on food I cant get in Ohio, and checking out musuems and doing some shopping...(this time I also went to the "Taste of Polonia" up at the Copernicus Center at Lawrence & Milwaulkee).

Well, me and my partner decided to get a brief fix of urban bohemia by checking out the the Belmont/Clark/Halstead area, including the gay district on Halstead between Belmont and Addison Avenues.

We took the L to the Belmont stop and after leaving the station had our first political encounter....some guy was handing out flyers for the Kucinich campaign. ..entitled "Dennis Kucinich: The Progressive Vision".

Then, later, we stopped off at 'Side Track" (I think thats what it was called)..this very sharp gay "video bar". At the entrance there was what looked like a chalboard or marker board that said that the bar was the site of the "Dean Meet-Up" (I guess for gay Dean supporters).

So, at least in this Belmont/Halstead neighborhood, it looks like Dean has some support, and it looks like at least one guy is spreading the word on Kucinich.

[XNASA]

1. Mówiê po polsku

Just kidding. I don't really speak Polish. But I grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago and love going to Taste of Polonia. Didn't make it this year though.

I think there are at least 9 Dean Meetup locations for tomorrow night. The 88 RSVP's at Sidetrack make it the biggest meetup of all.

I was walking to work last week, and there were Dean people passing out literature and blue suckers on almost every corner in the Loop. The guy I stopped to talk to lives only 4 blocks from me, and I live in the South Suburbs. So even suburbanites are Dems, at least the ones in Cook County.

And not to get picky, but there's only 1 "a" in Halsted. Common mistake.

[TheBigGuy]

2. I grew up in a Polish neighborhood too...

...so I was really interested to see what taste of polonia was all about....this was one wet fest this year (I went on Sunday), and didnt stay long. Next year I will be coming back, though. Chicago seems to become even more Polish since I moved away.

Actually there was a political presence there, too...Rahm Emmanual had a booth, as did the Cook County auditor.

Cook County suburbia probably varies politically...I suspect places like Schaumberg and Hoffman Estates probably votes GOP.

[XNASA]

3. Most outside of the Tri-State (I-294) vote GOP.

Down in the 2nd Cong Dist, where I live, it's solid Dem. Jesse Jr is our Congressman. And well organized. It's so Dem, that it's difficult to volunteer to work during elections, believe it or not. I've volunteered with every Dem office around and have only been called once to work.

Schaumburg is becoming more integrated. I wouldn't be surprised if it was split evenly. Now, DuPage County, forget it. Almost everyone is GOP.

Glad that you enjoyed yourself in our fair city.

[Walt Starr]

4. Things are changing in the suburbs

My very liberal wife and I have moved from Uptown to Aurora, and so have a lot of Chicago residents of late. I live in the 13th district, but I can guarantee you I won't be voting Republican, nor will many of my neighbors.

[booma]

5. I live in Hoffman Estates

And there are more and more Dean bumperstickers on cars all the time.
I gives me hope.
Saturday I saw my first Anybody but Bush '04 sticker at the post office.