Obama Markdown in the Second City

A year after his inauguration, what does Chicago have to show for it? The president has rarely visited his second home. Understandably impractical, as it ties up the area but also means less hometown stimulus shall we say. Tribune:

Once hot-selling Barack Obama souvenirs are marked down to remainder-table prices at a drugstore near the Kenwood home he owns but has barely visited since becoming president a year ago this week.

The Chicago Way corruption exemplified by the impeached Gov. Blago and the disgraceful Sen. Burris could have had something to do with President Obama keeping his distance--but then he has so many Chicago cronies close in the White House.

The administration has only exacerbated the recession with their policies, and the Second City and the state, already swimming in red ink and high taxes due to years of Dem mismanagement, have suffered job losses along with everyone else.

As in Blue State Massachusetts, another one-party state, the Senate race here, this time for the Obama open seat, is a barometer of voter sentiment. While the president may still be personally popular, his policies may not be at the ballot box. That election is in the fall, but Democrats here are already operating without much political cover from their president.

More. Dems' health plots like tonic for GOP - Steve Huntley, Chicago Sun Times

Obama's Divisive Politics Hurt Democrats - Peter Wehner, Commentary

Will Democrats Get the Message? - Jonah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times