10 Votes Per Precinct !!

There are 1937 precincts in suburban Cook County. That does NOT include the city of Chicago. To sum up election results, Quinn won by 10 votes per every suburban precinct....19,000+ votes. So non-participation is NOT an option.

Over the next 2 years, we will pressure the Republican party leadership into targeting township and precinct committeemen that do not do not fulfill the roles to which they were elected or appointed. Would Mike Madigan or Rich Daley ever tolerate committeemen who sit out elections? Of course not. They would be ousted and ostracized.

The Republican party of Illinois also has to work to ensure that all campaigns use their resources wisely. As an example, I saw signs that someone was working the Rutherford campaign in and around Berwyn. I also saw some Kirk signs I did not give out. Hence, there were likely at least three individuals or groups working the same targeted voters in the same targeted precincts. With as few ground resources as the Republican party has, this is extremely inefficient.

By contrast, the Democratic organization in Berwyn receives literature and signs from all candidates seeking the committeeman's support. The organization then distributes the campaign materials all at once. On election day, the Democratic organization has one single palm card supporting a whole slate. This is what we must strive for if we are to win elections in this state. The focus has to be on developing a coordinated, efficient, and seasoned ground force.

At first blush, one could argue "It all starts at the committeeman level". But since the committeemen level is so inefficient, then the only approach left is a strong top influencing the bottom of the totem pole. Will it be done?

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Nuff Said,

Paul Fuentes