Rickey's Election Manual: Backstabbers

Sen. Rickey Hendon has come out with a new book exposing a lot of tricks he's faced in Chicago politics. It might be useful for many people considering running for mayor and alderman positions now that Mayor Daley has announced he won't run for another term. 

Not only does he outline the games politicians play, from challenging each other's petition signatures to mixing up the locations of ballot boxes. He also gives some positive grassroots campaigning tips, like standing on an overpass with a huge banner, like a mobile billboard.


The New York Times issued a rather snide review of "Backstabbers." They say Rickey should not have criticized politicians who promised to support him and then campaigned for his opponents.  But shouldn't the people know the names of politicians who are trustworthy and those who aren't?  I wonder if the reviewer has ever been to the West Side to see what things are really like for any politician who tries to educate citizens and get money for projects in a poor community.

Publisher Eric L. Miller has posted the New York Times article.