BY DAN CAMPANA
Money either has everything or nothing to do with politics, just ask frontrunners and underdogs.
With the amount being relative to the office being sought -- billions for president, hundreds for alderman -- if you're supposed to win, you probably have some campaign cash to work with. If you behind in the polls, lose or are broke, then money is irrelevant.
Like I said, just ask winners and losers. They'll tell you.
So, what does it mean when the big dog gives the new kid on the block a couple of bucks?
Perhaps that's the question in Aurora's Fourth Ward. Longtime businessman Hal Beebee leads that three-way race in time as an announced candidate, having launched his aldermanic bid in May.
Beebee's chances of unseating Rick Lawrence -- the one-time mayoral candidate, sometimes pain in Mayor Tom Weisner's neck -- recently came up in Beacon Election Central conversation. Those involved differed on whether Beebee can win.
That was before this first-timer filed his first financial reports with state election officials. Beebee didn't set the city afire with the $2,230 he collected or the $609 he spent in four months. But he did pick up an unstaggering $75 from Weisner's campaign and relative pocket change from known Weisner supporters.
Remembering dollar amounts can mean anything to anyone, what's undeniable is that money equals backing. Support. Help. And, it's on public documents, meaning it can and will be seen.
Does this send a message to Lawrence, a jolt that Beebee's bringing more to the table than strong community ties and business sense? Since Lawrence has never worried about the dollars involved in politics, the amounts surely won't shake him.
Since Friends of Weisner formed in 2003, only once has it given money to back an aldermanic candidate. That was $200 to Second Ward Alderman Juany Garza 2007, a non-election year for her.
Can Lawrence afford to overlook Weisner's name in Beebee's corner?
Here's looking at ALL of you: A large smiling Richard Irvin is greeting drivers headed north on Route 25 near Illinois Avenue these days. Not sure how long it has been there. What stands out to me?
* Election Day is a lot closer than most realize. Irvin's running for mayor.
* When was this picture taken? He's only sporting a mustache and soul-patch. From crossing paths with Irvin back in the day at the Kane County Judicial Center through my year-plus covering Aurora, I can't remember him goatee-less.
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