Scott Cisek, the newly-minted political director of the Cook County Democratic Party, and Tom Bowen, County Commissioner Forrest Claypool's campaign manager, got into it on Facebook yesterday, in what appears to be the philosophical ouster of Claypool from the party.
On his Facebook page, Cisek wrote, "Cook County Democrats, remember what Benjamin Franklin said, 'We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.'"
Many of the comments ripped on Joseph Berrios, the county Democratic Party chairman running for assessor. Claypool and others have accused Berrios of politicizing property taxes and financing his campaign through the donations of property tax lawyers.
But one commenter on Cisek's page put the spotlight on lifelong politician Claypool, widely regarded as a reformer:
"Joe Berrios? Sorry, though I'm not sure how a two-time chief of staff to Daley got the label of being a reformer."
Cisek's reply: "A very good point."
Of course, Claypool was the darling of independent Democrats in 2006 when he faced off against John and Todd Stroger in the race for County Board president. Claypool says he'll rely on the indepedent vote should he get on the ballot.