This I remember,
When U.S. Rep. Harold Washington won the Democratic nomination for mayor in 1983, many white Democrats refused to support him. But Mr. Dunne's protege and successor as 42nd Ward committeeman, Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd), recalled Mr. Dunne's reaction to Washington's nomination.
"George said, `I don't care who he is, we're backing the winner,'" Natarus said. "And he backed him all the way. At one of the St. Patrick's Day parades, he took Harold by the hand and took him to the head of the line."
A lot of other Chicago politicans disgraced themselves instead during those years.
6 comments:
Politicians like Jerry Joyce in becoming a Republican and Tom Hynes running on the racist Chicago First disgraced themselves.
R. Eugene Pincham calling to hang any man south of Madison who did not vote right was also a touching moment in Chicago race relations.
I've been checking out the stories on Mr. Dunne. Seems to have had an interesting career.
Why was the post removed? There was a serious scandal involving lesbians that led to his not running for re-election in 1990. What was up with it?
Dunne was certainly ahead of his time. He absolutely did the right thing in 1983 at a time when other white Democratic politicians were making fools of themselves (and killing any potential future in politics, I might add).
Hynes? Stayed county assessor. Was smart enough to run statewide. Yes, his son was elected Comptroller, but they still resent him in the black community for his father's actions in the early '80s.
Vrdolyak? became a Republican, finished as an attorney for Cicero of all places. Was smart enough to be Mayor.
Burke? Stuck in the City Council. Granted, Chairman of the Finance Committee is not a bad gig, but Ed also could have been Mayor or gone to Congress had he not acted so boneheaded during Council Wars.
Dunne? Got Jesse elected Recorder, then Secretary of State. Was well regarded by all, save for the unfortunate incident described numerous times.
Daley was lucky. Had Harold not died prematurely, Daley would have stayed State's Attorney and never have seen the inside of the 5th Floor City Hall. Daley was so silent during that time.
Dunne was the only one who provided true leadership. A true legend. May he rest in peace.
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