SPEAK THE TRUTH

POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW

May the Best Man Win

Contributing Correspondent: CDW

Way before the primary election last Tuesday, it was evident that the Republican Party, well, not really the party, just billionaire Bruce Rauner was seriously courting the black vote. Even as polls showed that Rauner most likely was going to buy his way to the nomination for Governor, he still was constructing a game plan that would assure him major black support come November.

This was Rauner's single goal: Steal or purchase as many black electorates from Governor Quinn as possible, so come the general election, Pat would be missing large numbers of his core base of voters. And it looks like Bruce and his new black friends have helped him do just that.

From every possible angle, Quinn is wounded. Yes, he beat Tio Hardiman handily in the primary, but it'll be a different horse race come November. And maybe most people don't see or hear it now, but the chatter has started in barbershops, beauty salons and coffee houses, as well as kitchen tables in black households that Rauner... 'is the man!'

The loot he's spreaded around has made some influential friends in high and low places. And his money is long enough to secure many more friends before election time later this year. But lets be clear... the chatter coming from people thus far are individuals where voting is not on their menu most times. But for them, it makes good conversation, and everyone loves to appear knowledgeable about politics and other subjects when in the company of their peers.

These are not the professional voters who are also business men and women who've been aligned with Quinn - for better or worse. And realistically, their worse is more than the barber shop patrons better. So therefore, these professionals are Quinn loyalist and will not take a chance backing a horse like Rauner.

But also, lets be clear... there are some progressive black voters abandoning their Democrat roots for the Republican candidate for governor of Illinois. This scenario has been talked about many times before in private and now that a billionaire has really taken an interest in the black agenda, the whispers have come to the forefront. This is a crush with the new face on the block who can buy his way onto the dance card. And some black leaders find that a very interesting party to attend. It also indicates a weak spot in the current Governor's armor. Quinn has fooled a few people and he's obliged some others. That's politics, so no one is really tripping on that. But what's really happening is the grass has shown to be greener on the other side for some folks. And these are people, who from all accounts, march to their own beat and have no problem stepping out with Rauner to harvest the growing green grass. When activist Bob Israel says he sees construction development with few or no black workers, he looks at Democratic politicians and their devotion to unions. "Yes, I'm blaming the Democratic Party! They're controlled by the unions and that's why blacks are not working. We've been drinking the Democratic Kool-Aid for 40 years and I don't see no change," says Israel, Newspaper publisher Hermene Hartman says the black community's high unemployment and lack of economic development caused her to vote Republican for the first time. "We've got a one-party system in Chicago and Illinois. We've got to break it up," said Hartman. Even loyal Democratic black pastors have also endorsed Rauner. Reverends like James Meeks, Marshall Hatch and Stephen Thurston have joined the seeding of new green grass. "I'm not looking at the party, I'm looking at the issues that are there," Thurston said. But just remember people, Rauner is carefully aligned with Chicago's present mayor, who has done very little for the blight of blacks in Chicago thus far. He talks a great game, but where are the (new) millionaires who've been erected under his administration? And most south and west side communities look the same since before he was handed the mayoral seat by President Barack Obama. And Bruce says he has major issues with Emanuel's style of governing. But believe you me, they're on the same page when it comes to taking down Governor Quinn. And let no one tell you different, Emanuel is behind closed doors making deals that will send the current governor on an extended vacation. It's mentioned in circles that the fix is in for Quinn. If so, than other Democratic operatives had better take note. Because this may be the start of a long romance between the Republican Party and black folks. Especially where it seems that all that matters is who shows the money. And Bruce has plenty of it.