Cacchione is virulently anti-choice. He will strengthen anti-choice dominance on the City Democratic Committee.

If the Democratic City Committee had anything at all to do with setting reproductive policy, that observation might be relevant.

Cacchione is hardworking, articulate, dedicated to building consensus, and patient -- all of which qualities will serve him well as a committeeperson.

PE (pro-choice, unworried, and a voting member of the 6th Ward Dems)

With all due respect, it IS relevant. The committeeman has quite an influential say on ward endorsements for candidates for office who do "set reproductive policy." In this case, a pro-choice voice is replaced by an anti-choice voice.

Let me tap into your inside knowledge, PE: Part of the 6th Ward is in the 59th District. Any word on Cacchione's attitude on the primary between pro-choice JMO and anti-choice Mark Rice? If he can back a quality pro-choice candidate over a challenger that shares his own views, then the damage won't be as bad as it could be.

Name any incumbent Democrat in any elected office not endorsed for reelection by the 6th Ward organization in the past 10 years.

Not responsive to the question, PE. The record of former regimes does not necessarily foretell the behavior of Cacchione, whom I believe once challenged Bill Clay for renomination to Congress based primarily on their differences on abortion rights.

What I asked for, and did not receive, was your personal knowlege about Cacchione's attitude on the upcoming 59th District primary, considering you know Pat well enough to say the things that you've said about him.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 6th an "open" ward organization? Endorsements are determined based on a vote of the membership, not the personal preferences of the committeeman and committeewoman, right?

I'll ask him. Or, you could. Not that it matters. (If Patrick were replacing the formidable CW, it might.)

Frankly, O, you're the only person I've heard of who thinks that the race in the 59th is competitive. Is it?

I called him. He called back promptly.

He is committed to continuing the 6th Ward's tradition of open endorsements and he doesn't have litmus tests for his own support.

Sounds fine to me.