Harold Washington won the Democratic Primary for Mayor of Chicago.
Barack hasn’t won yet, but I think Harold has a big smile looking down tonight. Right over his shoulder is probably Paul Simon.
Update: That’s technically minus 2 days, but I’m still in Tuesday mode. He won on February 22, 1983.
Larry,
‘This American Life’ explicitly connected the dots between Harold’s campaign/victory and the presidential campaign of Barack Obama on last year’s November 9th episode.
Those who are at all interested can listen to it here: http://tinyurl.com/377pnq
I highly recommend it, as it is full of great Chicago history and great Chicago characters.
— SCAM
These analogies between Harold and Barack bother me, I have to admit. Harold Washington changed the game. Barack plays it exceptionally well.
Its like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Barack can and does play defense. Kobe doesn’t. 😉
I don’t see it as an analogy as much as someone standing on the shoulders of giants. Harold was a very flawed candidate in many ways, but he still pulled it off and now, the opportunities opened up by that allowed Barack to build up to the point he’s at now.