1. Hynes–rumors are he is having a hard time raising cash–watch for the FEC reports–and that John Doar, political fixer, has been dispatched, but Hynes still has the name and the machine until someone proves differently.
2. Obama–He has the African-American machines behind him except Bobbie Rush and that is a good portion of votes in the primary. Riding high after a successful legislative session.
3. Hull–polisci 101–how to cobble together an effective coalition–aided by cash. He’s been seen in the South Side churches trying to pick off votes from Obama–might be successful because Obama suffers from, well, being too integrated in his behavior. Picking off downstate, goo-goo lakeshore liberals, and lots of non activists with a name recognition assault for the next 9 months. His pain has a name–Hynes.
4. Pappas–hiding, but a natural campaigner with name recognition.
5. Chico–lot’s of cash-another FEC report to watch, but being shut out in the Hispanic community. Makes it tough to win when another guy has more cash and several others have more machine.
6. Simmons–no base, no name, no machine, but $40 million goes a long way?
7. Washington–why is she running again? Obama? Maybe.
8. O’Shea–who? Only appearance is at a conference of conservatives—not exactly the way to Democratic hearts