Da Mare: bring it on

A permit request for the rally says more than 70,000 people will cram into the south end of Grant Park on Election Night.

Mayor Richard Daley on Thursday stoked the celebratory vibe, welcoming people downtown even if they don't have tickets and will have to gather outside the secure area.

Daley has estimated that the throng could reach 1 million. But he said Thursday he had no intention of discouraging attendance.

"You think I'm nuts? You think I'm not going to invite people down? This is a celebration," Daley said. "No way I'm going to tell people they should not come down and celebrate."

Add "common sense" to the list of things that ain't what they used to be...

Daley makes 'stupid face' to questions about his brother's relationship with Obama.
Daley blasts McCain ad
The mayor teed off today on John McCain for including his brother in a negative ad about Barack Obama's Chicago political roots. Daley warned that McCain has his own vulnerabilities, and said, "When you start throwing mud, mud is going to be thrown at you and it's going to be sticky."
Daley: Cut beer sales near ballparks (funny, funny stuff--ed.)
"What we're asking is common sense. You can drink as much beer for seven innings as you want," Daley said. "Give me a break. This is common sense, that's all it is. We're asking for the cooperation of everyone."
Asked what he would tell business owners who fear a loss of business, Daley replied, "I'll have somebody buy their place tomorrow ... If you've been drinking for five hours and you're laying on the floor, don't give that person another beer.
"I mean, give me a break ... It's not going to cost them any business. They made enough money all year, I'm sorry. We're just talking about common sense."
~

Now here's a man I'd like to have a beer with.

make mine a gin martini, extra dry

I'm talking a veritable dust bowl of a martini. And throw a couple onions in deres.

WINTER STORM WARNING: Icy cocktail sweeping through area
As Chicago's winter overnight parking ban took effect, the area braced for a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow.