The coalition that didn't happen

I tried to form a coalition of groups to field a candidate to oppose 50th Ward Alderman Bernard Stone in 1987.

I approached all the groups in the ward that were opposed to the Democratic Machine – Daley Democrats, Washington Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. They all thought I was building a coalition for myself, since I had lost to Stone in the previous election. They presumed I was running again, even though I said I wasn’t.

They all agreed to participate, but some had conditions. Republicans wanted the candidate to identify as a Republican, which was not likely to happen. And the Daley Democrats said one of their people was thinking of running and if he did, they would back him.

Well, he did, so the coalition never happened. And the Daley guy lost badly.