How Chicago Was This Election?

University of Chicago Club of Austin, Texas
Chicago Booth Alumni Club of Austin

November 24, 2008: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

How Chicago Was This Election? Barack Obama is the first President of the United States who has ever been from Chicago. We've had Presidents from Illinois, Lincoln and Grant. We had a President born in Illinois, Ronald Reagan. Chicagoans have tried from the Presidency, Stephen Douglas and Adlai E. Stevenson. We've never had a Chicagoan chosen for President, until this month. Hyde Park has a history of political involvement, and not all for Democrats. Dennison Hull, whose money built the First Unitarian church, was a Republican congressman. Ernst and Elizabeth Stevens, whose son is a Ford appointment to the U. S. Supreme Court, lived in a house on 58th Street. Many Booth GSB professors were campaign advisors to McCain, and George Pratt Schultz, one time dean of the Graduate School of Business, was Secretary of the Treasury for President Nixon and Secretary of State for President Reagan. Barack Obama's first appointment was Chicago native Rahm Emanuel for White House Chief of Staff, and Sen. McCain often talked about Chicago politics when running his campaign. So how Chicago was this election? Come, discuss this with other alumni and friends of the University of Chicago.

Where

Hangtown Grill
5800 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas

Driving Directions:From I-35--West on 2222 less than 2 miles. You'll see a large HEB grocery supermarket just past the light at Burnet Road. South of the HEB and Blockbuster in the same shopping center. Turn left on Burnet, then almost immediately right into the shopping center. From Mopac (Hwy. 1). East on 2222, less than 2 miles, after Shoal Creek Blvd, after the Church of Good Tidings, right after St. John's United Methodist Church. Turn right at the next light which is Burnet Road. Make an immediate right into the shopping center with the HEB. Secondary roads: North on Burnet, past 45th and 51st street, after Karavel shoes and Amy's Ice Creams. Turn right after the Singular cellular store into the shopping center with the HEB. South on Burnet: Look for the middle school track, and Lamar Middle School. It will be on your right. Go through the intersection of 2222, then turn right immediately into the shopping center with the HEB. Bus: #3 on Burnet Road.

Event Details

How Chicago Was this Election? I go back a long ways with Chicago politics. Years ago, before the first Mayor Daley, my late mother was a Republican election judge in HydePark/Woodlawn. I'll be glad to recount her story. My biography of University of Chicago professor, and U. S. senator, Paul H. Douglas is on the University of Chicago www site. Google "Keohane" "Douglas" to find it. We've had other Presidents from Illinois, Lincoln and Grant. We had one born in Illinois, Reagan. We've had other Chicagoans nominated for the presidency, Stephen A. Douglas and Adlai E. Stevenson. We've never before had a President from Chicago, or one so connected with the University of Chicago. Obama taught as a lecturer in the law school for 12 years, and was twice offerred tenure-track positions which he turned down. His daughters study(ied) at the University of Chicago Lab School. His wife grew up in Chicago where her father was a city worker and precinct captain. Our alumni magazine, included a cover story entitled. "How Chicago is Barack Obama?" What a difference eight years and eight months makes. On March 21, 2000, Barack Obama was soundly defeated in a Democratic party primary for the House of Representatives. His losing margin was more than 2 to 1 to Cong. Bobby Rush. So come to our next event and join other alumni in discussion. Where: Hangtown Grill, 5800 Burnet Road, 420-9430 (in the sw corner shopping center at 2222 and Burnet, s. of the HEB) When: 7:00pm Monday, November 24, 2008 (you can get there at 6pm or earlier, but don't expect me till 7pm) What's particularly good: The tuna steak sandwich! Kids: Sure. Actually kids under age 12 are 1/2 price on Monday nights Reservations: Not required, but if you think you're coming, I'd like to give Hangtown a better estimate than the ballpark of 25 that I gave them. --John Keohane For More Information: John Keohane MBA '73 keohane@prodigy.net (512) 371-3853 Yuval Weber MA '06 (214) 264-5451 Erich Fritz MPP '07 (512) 762-4471 Ranjan Ojha 913-709-1026 MBA'10 (expected)

Cost

No Charge

Program

7:00 PM-7:00 PM: Discussion, politics etc. with lots of Chicago expertise

Questions

John Keohane 
MBA '73, President, University of Chicago Club of Austin
(512) 371-3853

Other Information

Buy what you want to eat and drink. 1/2 price for kids on Monday nights. We are to have a somewhat separate area. Tuna steak sandwich is highly recommended. Wine and beer are available. Free, except you pay for what you eat/drink with separate checks. Order and pay at the counter, then staff will call your name. You might want to make two orders, one for salads/drinks, a second for your entree. Alumni and friends all invited. One of our alumni who is confirmed as coming is a former precinct captain in the "machine" of the late mayor, and Democratic party county chairman, Richard J. Daley (Daley I to many of you). Hear inside stories of the "machine" in Chicago, if you are interested.