GIDDY THUMPS SPIKE--THE METHOD TO HIS MADNESS

Topinka has made a political career out of being everybody's favorite bartender, a little raspy, a little edgy, something to set her apart. That's great for a minor office. Governor's different. Everything's under a microscope.

Gidwitz sits third right now, a chunk behind Topinka, in between is extreme right Oberweiss who pegs at about 20%. Giddy must take Topinka's name recognition and use it against her. That means simply that he must drive up her negatives while selling his professionalized approach to Government. Trick is, he must do it tastefully enough that he doesn't drive any voters over to Obie. Obie can't win but he can keep Giddy from winning by getting 22, 23%. Giddy's scenario has to be he gets to maybe 33-31-20, ten undecided and six for Brady (although that high a number for Brady is difficult to imagine--everything's fine until he starts to talk.). If enough of that ten per cent see momentum and jump, Giddy can picture himself nipping Spike at the wire.

Sound preposterous? Can you say Carole Mosely Braun? At least Giddy's got a scenario you can work out with a calculator. CMB was just, "Where did That come from?"