CAROLINA THEIR MINDS
Dem dilemma . . .
Zzzzzzz ... Dateline — Snoreville? Sneed hears the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., next week is drawing a big yawn by some local Dem bigwigs for a lotta reasons: For instance:
It’s a done deal; the candidates are a repeat of four years ago.
There will be no surprises . . . unless Clint Eastwood decides to also endorse Barack Obama.
It’s bad timing because it cuts short Labor Day vacations and family time with school kids.
$$$$: The convention parties are special invites being tossed for big-time Dem donors.
Who wants to go to Charlotte, N.C., at this time of year?
Sneed hears the list of those not planning to go include Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Ald. Ed Burke (14th). Legendary party stalwart Tom Hynes is on the fence, as are a gaggle of other top Chicago pols who might sneak there for a day if the press gets wind they aren’t going.
(Gutierrez spokesman Doug Rivlin tells Sneed his boss is stay- ing in Chicago because it’s a “good week to get some work done.”)
However, one rising Dem star recently decided to attend the convention: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who has her eye on the governor’s race.
Pin sin . . .
Yipes! No union bug! Yes sireeee! The old-fashioned “Save Illinois: Fire Madigan” political pins, whose slogan has become the mantra of the Illinois delegation at the Republican National Convention, is minus a union stamp!
“It’s a political tripwire for all politicians, whether they are Republican or Democrat, not to have a union bug on political paraphernalia,” said a top GOP source.
The kicker: The buttons, intended to demonize House Speaker Michael Madigan — the state’s Dem party chief — were being pitched by former GOP gubernatorial candidate Pat Brady, who predicted they’d “be the hottest, trendiest thing” in the state for the next four years. “Fire Madigan” dog T-shirts are being advertised as “Made in the USA.”
The red dress . . .
The buckshot: If it’s true unions don’t forget, it’s a wonder Brady isn’t nervous.
The upshot: Oh, well. The
Dress stress: Ann Romney’s decision to wear a “Nancy Reagan red” dress during her podium address at the Republican National Convention drew this deep dish: The dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta, whose dresses have been worn by such recent first ladies as Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton — but not by first lady Michelle Obama. There ya go.
Tampa tidbits . . .
Gulp! Although Mormons eschew caffeine and alcohol, a top GOP Sneed source claims a lot of caffeinated Diet Coke is being consumed by the super diligent/ polite/hardworking Utah volunteers at the Marriott Hotel, where the Romney clan is staying.
The Pimp Mobile: In the spirit of not wasting taxpayer dollars, Bob Buckhorn, the mayor of Tampa, Fla., is cruising to and from GOP convention hotspots the city in a black sport utility vehicle with tinted windows he nabbed from the police impound lot — and was previously owned by an accused pimp.
Top spots: Not only was Angelina Jolie’s actor dad, Jon Voight, hitting press tents for interviews at the GOP gabfest, but former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who last year wandered into mistress country and off the campaign trail, was talking economy and an impending marriage to his Argentinian soulmate.