Dad's Derailed Dreams

For this year — well, next year, really — it might have been Daley for Vice President. But, despite this week's objet d'eBay, it isn't and won't be.

The button is a remnant of the 1968 American presidential campaign. Then Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, credited with "helping to steal" John Kennedy 1960 electoral victory and host of the Democratic parties convention, managed to oversee the bloodiest convention ever. There was teargassing, police brutality and great television for the American audience. Daley didn't get the presidential or vice presidential nomination and for a variety of reasons, including the beastly convention spectacle, nominee Hubert Humphrey went down in flames against Richard Nixon in the 1968 election.

And next year, when the Democrats meet in Denver, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, a possible VP as an experienced politician and moderate balance for certain of the likely nominees, will also not be getting the chance. Just like his father, any political aspirations he may have beyond running the Windy City, will be foiled. He claims he didn't know about his 29-year-old son Patrick investing in Municipal Sewer Services, a company living by substantial runoff from city funds.

** Just another case of like father (denied), like son (denied) **