Hump Day Political News Round-Up

Well, it's been quite a week, and it's only Wednesday! Let's jump into the Way Back Machine and have a look at some of the vitriol and invective that has plagued this fine city's political scene in the last three days:

• The big news on Monday was that Barack Obama was going to run for president. Sort of. If you watch the clip, he didn't really commit to anything. Chicagoist thinks that he's playing the game to either sell his book, raise his profile (and some money) for future runs, or get on the short list for a VP pick.

• Daley got all philosophical on us yesterday, telling Obama "Be not afraid." We suspect that he is just trying to ride the coattails a little bit, appearing mayoral and elder statesman-like before heading into what is sure to be a nasty and bitter election.

• Bill Clinton came to town Monday! He didn't bring us presents, but he did bring in $800,000 for Tammy Duckworth and Melissa Bean, though, at a swanky lunch for about 600. Do the math on that one: that's almost $1500 a plate! No wonder Republicans hate him so much.

• Todd Stroger's handlers have been crying that they are broke. Even though they aren't. As rumors fly around that the Stroger campaign is floundering, news like this can't be good. One thing you can say about the ministers: when they're bought, they stay bought.

• 22nd Ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz has turned down Jesse Jackson Jr. to run for City Treasurer on a ticket that includes reformer Mike Quigly for City Clerk. This is a bit of a setback for Jr's attempts to present a diverse ticket to voters, much like that other guy running for mayor.

• And finally, in a shocking disclosure, the Topinka campaign out fund-raised the Blagojevich campaign! This is contrary to the rumors that are swirling that she's broke.