It was a year that the so-called “progressives” thought they would run the board – once they got past Jack and put Marty on the Board of Aldermen – but it never happened. Take a look at the political landscape rolling into 2008 and it’s not looking too rosy for a group that somehow, somewhere along the way, became what they originally despised – typical politicians. Sure, the darling of the PDSers – Rebekah – retained her seat, but look at the wreckage the rest of that group caused this year and very little to show for it.

The implosion of Marty Martinez, who showed some real promise very early in the year, only to be stomped on by the venerable Jack Connolly. It wasn’t racist of Jack to point out the problems with letting a gang member into the Youth Center when Marty was the director – it was a simple matter of the impact on the children over the laudable effort to reach out to a struggling segment of the population. Children first, gang members second – if you don’t agree, then you’re obviously not a parent (or a rational human being).

The non-existent campaign of Suzanne Bremer for Mayor – because she didn’t like the way Marty was treated when he ran against Jack. Talk about drinking the Kool-Aid. What made this one funny, was that she relatively trounced the much more visible Rick Scirocco – who was probably a better candidate than she could have ever dreamed of being for local public office. In case you’re scratching your head at that last sentence – that was a dig at Suzanne and not a compliment to Rick.

We hate to lump him in with this crowd, but since they practically undid his campaign, include Joe Lynch in the train wreckage. Here is a stand-up guy, from the neighborhood, well spoken, smart and popular with the people. Has experience to boot – a real threat to the present alderman in Ward 5 at one time. And then it happened – the PDS decides they like him (we endorsed him too by the way) – and instead of Joe being grateful for their vision and support, he lets them in the front door – and watches his chances of becoming Alderman go right out the back door. Too bad.

And then we get to the mud slinging Rachel Heller – this woman practically called Bob Trane a criminal – oh wait, she DID call him a criminal. She should count her lucky stars Bob didn’t sue her ass. Realizing Chisholm couldn’t beat her in Ward 6, Rebekah Gewirtz came to Rachel’s aid, but to no avail – come to think of it, so did Carl Sciortino – who should have minded his own business.

And starting off January 1st was the same person who seemed to end it for the PDS crowd in 2007 – Carl Sciortino – who will have to fight off more than just an opponent or two next election cycle, but he will also have to fight off the bad taste left in people’s mouths from him sticking his nose into a ward alderman’s race AND now, as noted in The Herald as one of the top “lawmakers who missed the mark”. How special for him – and for us – next time he is up for reelection.

It’s okay to be liberal or conservative or progressive, just don’t be tools about it. Take a more moderate, middle of the road approach to some issues and get in touch with a larger audience, and you just might make it, PDS. Then again, keep doing what you’re doing and then certain other groups or cliques of politicians will start coming after you – and we will have more to write about.

Come to think of it, keep up the good work.