Not helping an ally

Ray Cohen and Ted Berland, the two Independents in the 1973 50th Ward Alderman election, did not like each other.

But they knew that only one of them could finish second to Machine candidate Bernard Stone, and they hoped their combined efforts would keep their opponent below the 50% mark and force a runoff election.

So, each agreed to endorse the other in the runoff, neither believing they would have to follow through on the promise. (Cohen had been endorsed by the Independent Precinct Organization (IPO), Berland by the Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI).)

Berland finished second and Cohen honored his pledge, but did as little as he could to help.

When IPO met to make its new choice, Cohen urged his supporters to back “Turd Berland.” He continued speaking, as if not aware of his “slip of the tongue.”

Attendees looked quizzically at each other, wondering if Cohen knew what he had said. (He may have – some thought the “slip” had been intentional). Berland was endorsed with the minimum vote required.

When one Independent finished behind the other in an Aldermanic election, it was common for the loser to share whatever resources it could with its former rival in the runoff. The most valuable item was the losing candidate’s “plus lists,” the record of voters who told canvassers they would support the candidate.

When Berland asked for Cohen’s plus lists, he was told those had been shredded. That was Cohen’s nasty way of refusing to help Berland.