Rising Star

by David Garrow

  6. Steve Neal, “Poll Gives Rush Big Lead,” CST, 21 November 1999, p. 4; Paul Merrion, “Corporate Backers Take Sides in a Tough District Race,” CCB, 22 November 1999, p. 3; “Rush Challenger Has Plan for Computers in Schools,” CT, 24 November 1999; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Aims to Wipe Out ‘Digital Divide,’” CD, 29 November 1999, p. 5; Greg Downs, “Obama: More Tech Funds for Schools,” HPH, 1 December 1999, p. 8; J. Coyden Palmer, “Senator Obama Looking to Decrease ‘Digital Divide,’” CC, 2 December 1999, p. 1; “Quiet Fall Veto Session Expected,” C-WR 15 #7, 10 November 1999; Ray Long and Douglas Holt, “Ryan Veto of Child-Support Break Resoundingly Rebuffed by House,” CT, 18 November 1999; Senate Floor Transcript, 30 November 1999, pp. 11–26 (HB 1232); Christopher Wills, “Move to Give Welfare Families More Child Support Fails in Senate,” AP, 30 November 1999 (and DS, 1 December 1999, p. A3); Adriana Colindres, “Senate Nixes Child-Support Bill,” SJ-R, 1 December 1999, p. 7 (and PJS and ECN); Long, “Veto Stands Barring More Cash for Kids on Welfare,” CT, 1 December 1999; CF, 1 December 1999, “Few Surprises in Fall Veto Session,” C-WR 15 #8, 15 December 1999, pp. 2–3; Obama, “Improve Child Support System,” HPH, 15 December 1999, p. 4; Obama’s 4 February 2000 interview with Ted McClelland; Hendon, Black Enough/White Enough, p. 12; Lisa Kernek, “School Board Election Takes Shape,” SJ-R, 11 November 2000, p. 7; “Beverly Ann Criglar, 63,” CT, 4 February 2004; Bernard Schoenburg, “Former Obama Assistant Remembers Him as Friendly Boss,” SJ-R, 8 November 2008; Beverly Helm-Renfro’s 2010 interview with Mark DePue, pp. 50–52; DJG interviews with Jeremy Flynn, Adelmo Marchiori, Jeff Stauter, Steve Rauschenberger, John Cullerton, Kim Lightford, and Beverly Helm-Renfro.

  7. People v. Cervantes, 723 N.E. 2d 265 (Ill. S.Ct.), 2 December 1999; Ken Armstrong and Ray Long, “High Court Invalidates Anti-Crime Law,” CT, 3 December 1999; People v. Reedy, 708 N.E. 2d 1114 (Ill. S.Ct.), 22 January 1999; Fuehrmeyer v. City of Chicago, 311 N.E. 2d 116 (Ill. S.Ct.), 29 March 1974, quoting People ex rel. Drake v. Mahaney, 13 Mich. 481, 494–95 (1865), CF, 6, 7, 8 10, and 13 December 1999; Douglas Holt, “Ryan Calls Legislature Back to Fix Crim Laws,” CT, 7 December 1999; Mark Konkol, “State Lawmakers Back in Springfield,” DS, 7 December 1999, p. A6; Senate Floor Transcript, 21 May 1997, pp. 25–33 (SB 71); Christi Parsons and Andrew Martin, “Bead Drawn on Gun Law,” CT, 22 May 1997; Gary Washburn, “Daley Fears More Bloodshed If Gun Law Is Watered Down,” CT, 5 June 1997; Teresa Puente, “Gov. Edgar Vetoes Measure to Relax Gun Penalties,” CT, 17 August 1997; Rick Pearson, “Philip vs. Ryan Showdown Looms on Gun Law,” CT, 10 December 1999; Pearson, “Ryan to Go to the Mat on Gun Issue,” CT, 11 December 1999; Dave McKinney and Fran Spielman, “Ryan, Philip at Odds Over Gun-Law Penalty,” CST, 11 December 1999; Long, “Anti-Crime Law Rejection Could Have Ripple Effect,” CT, 12 December 1999; Jeremy Manier, “Hillard, Devine Out in Front,” CT, 13 December 1999; Long and Holt, “Standoff Stalls Vote on Revamp of Gun Law,” CT, 14 December 1999; Christopher Wills, “Great Gun Debate,” AP, DS, 14 December 1999, pp. 1–2; Holt and Long, “Philip Flip-Flops on Gun Penalty He Once Backed,” CT, 15 December 1999; DJG interviews with Gideon Baum, Mark Warnsing, Ed Petka, and Pate Philip.

  8. Evan Osnos, “Bobby Rush,” CT, 5 December 1999, p. P3; Osnos, “‘Racial Profiling’ Target of Bill,” CT, 7 December 1999; Chinta Strausberg, “Coalitions’ Bill Hits Racial Profiling Tiff,” CD, 7 December 1999, p. 3; Strausberg, “Daley, Devine Fight Battle for Tough Laws” and “Obama Unveils Federal Gun Bill,” CD, 13 December 1999, p. 3; Hurley Green III, “Sen. Obama Hosts Anti-Violence Rally” and “Sen. Obama Challenges Cong. Rush in 1st,” CIB, 9 [sic] December 1999, pp. 3 and 7; Caitlin Devitt, “Legislators Back in Session to Pass Gun Law,” HPH, 15 December 1999, p. 2; Jennifer Loven (AP), “Man on a Mission,” DS, 13 December 1999, pp. 1–2 (and as “Son’s Slaying Transforms Congressman’s Priorities,” LAT, 19 December 1999); Greg Downs, “New Candidate Enters Race,” HPH, 17 November 1999, p. 2; Douglas Holt, “Early Bird Challenger Gets Jump on Campaign Filing,” CT, 14 December 1999; Beverly A. Reed, “Obama Demands Debate,” CD, 15 December 1999, p. 3; JCAR Minutes, 14 December 1999.

  9. CF, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, and 30 December 1999; Ray Long and Douglas Holt, “Stalemate Over Gun Law,” and “Hang Tough on Gun Law,” CT, 16 December 1999; Don Thompson, “Governor Backs Misdemeanor Option for Gun Crimes,” CDH, 16 December 1999, p. 14; Senate Floor Transcript, 16 December 1999, pp. 6–37; Rick Pearson and Long, “The Showdown in Springfield,” CT, 17 December 1999; Senate Floor Transcript, 17 December 1999, pp. 19–34; Long and Pearson, “Compromise Crime Bill Collapses,” CT, 18 December 1999; Long and Pearson, “Ryan Takes Gun-Law Fight to Public,” and Pearson, “More Than a Bill Riding on Line,” CT, 19 December 1999; Pearson and Long, “Ryan Seeks GOP Support on Crime Bill,” CT, 20 December 1999; John O’Connor, “Legislative Leaders Continue Temporary Solution to Gun Debate,” AP, 20 December 1999 (and Evansville Courier, 21 December 1999, p. B7); Long and Pearson, “Philip’s Plan Fails to Move Gun Talks,” CT, 21 December 1999; Phil Kadner, “Dishonest Legislators Concoct Bad Laws,” DS, 21 December 1999, p. A3; Senate Floor Transcript, 21 December 1999, pp. 20–22; Pearson and Long, “Ryan Going After Philip’s Loyalists,” CT, 22 December 1999; Holt, “Ryan Tries to Downplay Gun-Bill Rift,” CT, 23 December 1999; Holt, “Philip Forces Not Bending for Ryan,” CT, 24 December 1999; Pearson, “GOP Revives Debate on Concealed Weapons,” CT, 25 December 1999; Joe Mahr, “Dart Tightens Single-Subject Clause,” SJ-R, 26 December 1999, p. 17, Rich Miller, “GOP Senators Play the ‘Integrity’ Card in Gun Battle,” DS, 26 December 1999, p. A13; Lisa Song, “Top Health Official Campaigns for Ryan on Anti-Crime Legislation,” CT, 27 December 1999; Long and Pearson, “Gun Bill No Threat, Ryan Tells Hunters,” CT, 28 December 1999; “Ryan Trying Again,” DS, 28 December 1999, p. A10; Obama, “Ideologues Frustrate Gun Law,” HPH, 29 December 1999, p. 5; Dirk Johnson, “Republicans in Illinois Feud Over Gun Control,” NYT, 29 December 1999; Pearson and Long, “Ryan Likes Chances, but Philip in Control,” CT, 29 December 1999; Mark J. Konkol, “Ryan: I Have Votes for Gun Bill,” and Phil Kadner, “Making Streets Safe Is a Nasty Business,” DS, 29 December 1999, p. A3; Pearson and Long, “Ryan Comes Up Short,” CT, 30 December 1999; Dave McKinney, “Ryan Loses on Gun Bill,” CST, 30 December 1999, p. 1; Thompson, “Anti-Crime Bill Falls Again,” CDH, 30 December 1999, p. 1; Obama, “Family Duties Took Precedence,” HPH, 12 January 2000, p. 4; Obama’s 4 February 2000 interview with Ted McClelland, CF, 9 January 2001 (Wendell Jones); DJG interviews with Ed Petka, Mark Warnsing, Todd Vandermyde, Ned Mitchell, John Charles, Dan Shomon, and Bill Luking.

  10. Don Thompson, “Crime Bill Trouble Causes Worry About GOP Control in Senate,” CDH, 31 December 1999, p. 1; “Philip, Criminals Win Again,” CT, 31 December 1999; “Pols Take a Pass,” DS, 31 December 1999, p. A10; Steve Neal, “Weak-Kneed Senators Won’t Hobble Ryan,” CST, 31 December 1999, p. 16; Bernard Schoenburg, “One Odd Thing After Another as Senate Session Dragged On,” SJ-R, 2 January 2000, p. 15; Rich Miller, “Ryan, Like Edgar, Learns He Can’t Win Pate’s Game,” DS, 2 January 2000, p. A17; Chinta Strausberg, “Clergy Continue Anti-Shooting Battle,” CD, 3 January 2000, p. 4; Ellen Warren and Terry Armour, “The Inc. Column,” CT, 4 January 2000; Strausberg, “Gov. Ryan, Trotter Say ‘Gun Bill Is Not Dead,’” CD, 4 January 2000, p. 6; Warren and Armour, “The Inc. Column,” CT, 5 January 2000; Dave McKinney, “Senators Explain Gun Vote Absence,” CST, 5 January 2000, p. 8; Greg Downs and Caitlin Devitt, “Obama Misses Gun Law Vote,” and Devitt, “Candidates Jockey for Ballot Position,” HPH, 5 January 2000, pp. 1–2; Dana Dubriwny, “State Senator Who Missed Gun Vote Says She’s Sorry,” CDH, 6 January 2000, p. 4; Ihejirika in Corey Hall, “Congressional Concerns: State Senator Barack Obama,” CW, 13 January 2000, p. 16; Remnick, The Bridge, p. 321; DJG interviews with Cynthia Miller, Chris Sautter, Dan Shomon, and Donne Trotter.

  11. Don Thompson, “Philip Says Ryan May Be Getting Bad Advice on Gun Issue,” CDH, 9 January 2000, p.
1; CF, 11 January 2000; JCAR Minutes, 12 January 2000; Senate Floor Transcript, 12 January 2000, p. 6; Lisa Snedeker and Kevin McDermott, “Lenders Criticize Bill,” SLPD, 13 January 2000, p. A1; Steve Warmbir, “Trial Sets Off Debate on Racial Profiling,” CDH, 21 January 2000, p. 1; Senate Floor Transcript, 13 January 2000, p. 3; “Eye on Legislation,” CDLB, 18 January 2000, p. 3; Karen Shields, “Independent Organization Favors Obama,” Obama, “Family Duties Took Precedence,” “Truth and Tales in Gun Law Vote,” Mikva, “Obama Not to Blame,” and James Cracraft, “Where Was Obama?,” HPH, 12 January 2000, pp. 2, 4, 7; Mikva, “Family Values,” CT, 13 January 2000, p. 22; Adam Harrington, “Obama Under Fire for Missing Gun Vote,” CWN, 13 January 2000; Corey Hall, “Congressional Concerns: Congressman Bobby Rush,” “Congressional Concerns: State Senator Donne Trotter,” and “Congressional Concerns: State Senator Barack Obama,” CW, 13 January 2000, pp. 4 and 16; David Mendell, “Obama Defends Decision to Miss Anti-Crime Vote,” CT, 17 January 2000; “Senator Obama Unveils Englewood Beautification Plan,” CD, 24 January 2000, p. 14; Obama, “Why Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Is Important to Me,” CD, 15 January 2000, p. 18; “Race Profiling,” II, March 2000, p. 13; Heather Nickel, “Driving While Black,” II, June 2000, pp. 18–21.

  12. Chinta Strausberg, “Democrats Urge Congress to Help Seniors, Patients Meet Rx Costs,” CD, 19 January 2000, p. 5; Beverly A. Reed, “Obama Calls for Drop in Drug Costs,” CD, 20 January 2000, p. 50; Hall, “Congressional Candidates Answer Questions at Forum,” CW, 20 January 2000, p. 4; Ted Kleine, “Is Bobby Rush in Trouble?,” CR, 17 March 2000; McClelland, “How Obama Learned to Be a Natural,” Salon, 12 February 2007; McClelland, Young Mr. Obama, pp. 158–59; Kathleen Lavey, “Book Traces Obama’s Political Roots in City,” CST, 23 October 2010; Burney Simpson, “The 1st Congressional District Encompasses Extreme Contrasts,” II, February 2000, pp. 6–7; Lu Palmer’s 1989 interview with Blackside’s Dave Lacy; H. Gregory Meyer, “Lu Palmer, 82,” CT, 14 September 2004; Beauty Turner, “Race for Congress,” Residents’ Journal, February 2000, p. 9; Ali Abunimah, “How Barack Obama Learned to Love Israel,” Electronic Intifada, 4 March 2007; Michael McAuliff, “Hil Bam Gear Up for Battle over Jewish Vote,” NYDN, 6 March 2007, p. 32; Larry Cohler-Esses, “Obama Pivots Away from Dovish Past,” Jewish Week, 9 March 2007; Edward McClelland, “The Crazy Uncles in Obama’s Attic,” Salon, 18 March 2008; Peter Wallsten, “Allies of Palestinians See a Friend in Barack Obama,” LAT, 10 April 2008; DJG interviews with Will Burns, John Eason, Nat Piggee, and Lula Ford.

  13. Senate Floor Transcripts, 20 January 2000, p. 2 (introducing SBs 1407, 1408, and 1413), 26 January 2000, pp. 9 and 11 (introducing SBs 1489 and 1506), 27 January 2000, p. 6 (introducing SJR 51); Obama for Congress 2000, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 July 1999–31 December 1999, 31 January 2000, and 1 January 2000–1 March 2000, 22 November 2002; Citizens for Rush, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 July 1999–31 December 1999, 30 July 2000; Trotter for Congress, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 July 1999–31 December 1999, 1 February 2000; Rush campaign ad, Residents’ Journal, February 2000, p. 17 (“We’re sticking with Bobby”); Karen Shields, “Congressional Candidates Win Endorsements,” and Ann Cadge, Letter to the Editor, HPH, 2 February 2000, pp. 7 and 4; Shields, “Obama Surpasses Incumbent in Money-Raising Campaign,” HPH, 9 February 2000, pp. 1–2; Adam Harrington, “Rush Ahead in Cash Race,” CWN, 10 February 2000; Rachel Van Dongen, “Serious Primary Threats Abound This Year,” RC, 21 February 2000; William Hatfield, “Democrats Seek Tax Credits for Day Care, Tuition, Rents,” CST, 28 January 2000, p. 14; Curtis Lawrence, “Gay Activists Savor Success at Fund-Raiser,” CST, 30 January 2000, p. 3 (Obama attending Equality Illinois event); Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Calls for End to ‘Star Wars’ Funding,” CD, 31 January 2000, p. 5; Ken Armstrong and Steve Mills, “Ryan: ‘Until I Can Be Sure,’” CT, 1 February 2000; Pat Karlak, “Death Penalty Put on Hold,” CDH, 1 February 2000, p. 1; Dirk Johnson, “Illinois, Citing Faulty Verdicts, Bars Executions,” NYT, 1 February 2000; Johnson, “Illinois Governor Hopes to Fix a ‘Broken’ Justice System,” NYT, 19 February 2000; Obama, “State Should Curtail All Executions,” HPH, 23 February 2000, p. 4; CF, 27 January and 1 and 2 February 2000; Matt O’Connor, “Charges Reach Ryan’s Inner Circle,” CT, 2 February 2000; Dirk Johnson, “No Executions in Illinois Until System Is Repaired,” NYT, 21 May 2000; Ted Gregory, “DuPage Ready to Settle Cruz Prosecution Suits,” CT, 22 September 2000; Bernard Schoenburg, “Former Obama Assistant Remembers Him as Friendly Boss,” SJ-R, 8 November 2008; Beverly Helm-Renfro’s 13 July 2010 interview with Mark DePue, p. 53; DJG interviews with Beverly Helm-Renfro, Eric Adelstein, Jim Covington, Kathy Saltmarsh, and Mark Warnsing.

  14. Senate Floor Transcript, 1 February 2000, pp. 4–5 (Obama introducing SBs 1583, 1594 and 1606), 2 February 2000, pp. 6–7 (Obama introducing SBs 1644 and 1663), 3 February 2000, p. 1 (Obama introducing SBs 1710, 1711, 1712, and 1713); AP, “State Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Flavored Cigarettes,” 4 February 2000; Chinta Strausberg, “Sen. Obama Seeks Ban on Sale of Bidi Cigarettes,” CD, 5 February 2000, p. 4; Obama’s 4 February 2000 interview with Ted McClelland.

  15. Kennedy Communications, “State Senator Barack Obama, Candidate for U.S. Senate: Background Report,” April 2003, RRP; Beverly A. Reed, “State Senator Obama Joins Efforts to Rebuild Englewood,” CD, 7 February 2000, p. 5; “Durbin Endorses Rush for Fund-Raising Efforts,” CDH, 7 February 2000, p. I-9; “Race-Reporting Bill Is Good Legislation,” MD, 8 February 2000; JCAR Minutes, 8 February 2000; Sydney G. Bild, “Rush Leads Way in Prescription Drug Benefits,” HPH, 9 February 2000, p. 4; Jennifer Nelson, “Pair of Measures Would Discount Drugs for Seniors,” SJ-R, 9 February 2000, p. 11; Corey Hall, “Rush, Trotter and Obama Present Themselves to CBA,” CW, 10 February 2000, p. 2; Obama to Keith Peterson, 10 February 2000, KPP; Reed, “Barack Obama Promises Vision, Leadership in 1st Congressional Seat,” CD, 12 February 2000, p. 3; “Afford,” BO-03, and “Profile,” BO-04, Cassette #102436, 14 February 2000, CSP; “IVI-IPO Backs Moore, Obama in Contests,” CT, 15 February 2000; Chinta Strausberg, “IVI/IPO Backs Cousins, Obama for March 21st Race,” CD, 15 February 2000, p. 3; Obama, “Putting a Stop to Racial Profiling,” HPH, 16 February 2000, p. 4; Adam Harrington, “Mr. Obama Tries to Go to Washington,” CWN, 17 February 2000.

  16. Scott, A Singular Woman, p. 10; Andrew Kenney, “UNC Researcher, a Pioneering Academic, Kept Kinship to Obama to Herself,” N&O, 23 June 2014; Dean Olsen, “Plan to Let Schools Exceed Tax Cap Fails,” SJ-R, 17 February 2000, p. 36 (Obama in Revenue Committee not voting on SB 1878); Scott Fornek, “Rush Agrees to Debate Dem Opponents,” CST, 18 February 2000, p. 12; “News: The City,” CDH, 18 February 2000, p. I-13, and 19 February 2000, p. 8; Beverly A. Reed, “Earned Income Tax Credit Near,” CD, 19 February 2000, p. 1; Curtis Lawrence, “Rush, Opponents Clash Off the Air,” CST, 19 February 2000, p. 4; Lawrence, “Rush Disputes Ad Portrayals at Debate,” CST, 20 February 2000, p. 12; Evan Osnos, “Rush Could Face His Toughest Test,” CT, 20 February 2000; Chinta Strausberg, “Congressional Hopefuls Battle Over Vouchers, Health,” CD, 21 February 2000, p. 3; Osnos, “Challengers Campaign Without Rush,” and John Chase, “Jeanne Simon, 77, Wife of Ex-Senator,” CT, 21 February 2000; Senate Floor Transcript, 22 February 2000, p. 2 (Obama introducing SB 1943); “Rush’s Father Dies After Falling Ill,” CT, 22 February 2000; “Ryan Looks Ahead with Budget Address,” C-WR 15 #10, 23 February 2000; Karen Shields, “Candidates Struggle to Articulate Differences,” HPH, 23 February 2000, p. 3; Senate Floor Transcripts, 24 February 2000, pp. 43–44 (Obama apologizing for wrongly voting no on SB 649), 93–96 (SB 1532), 25 February 2000, pp. 80–87 (SB 1885); Jennifer Nelson, “Senate Wants No Tobacco Money for Lawyers,” SJ-R, 26 February 2000, p. 5; Kellie Gormly, “Several Bills Target Racial Profiling,” SJ-R, 27 February 2000, p. 11 (and PJS 27 February and ECN 28 February 2000); Diane Lewis, “Attorneys’ Tobacco Pay Debated,” BP, 29 February 2000, p. A5; Alysia Tate,
“Outside Dollars Drive Campaigns in 1st District Race,” Chicago Reporter, March 2000; Steve Neal, “Rush Should Practice What He Once Preached,” CST, 3 March 2000, p. 9; Jennifer Loven, “Panther Turned Congressman Faces Tough Re-Election Battle,” AP, 15 March 2000 (20 February Trinity forum); Rachel Van Dongen, “Rush Confident He’ll Be Back,” RC, 20 March 2000; Obama for Congress 2000, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 January 2000–1 March 2000 and 2 March 2000–31 March 2000, 22 November 2002; Citizens for Rush, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 January 2000–1 March 2000, 14 February 2001; Trotter for Congress, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 January 2000–1 March 2000, 14 March 2000; Friends of Barack Obama, Form D-2, Report of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures, 1 January–30 June 2000, 31 July 2000; Lauren W. Whittington, “When Obama Wasn’t a Star,” RC, 12 February 2007; Obama, TAOH, p. 233 (“police cars pulling me over for no apparent reason”); DJG interviews with Charles Payne and Sheila Simon.