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Who’s at bat?
Here’s the latest! Sneed has learned Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein and his family showed up unexpectedly at a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Chicago on Thursday night, tossed her his support, and wrote her a personal check for her presidential campaign coffers.
“He [Epstein], who has magically turned the Chicago Cubs into the main event, met with Clinton privately and told her he was lending her his support,” said a top Sneed source.
The Epstein move, which took place at a 600-attendee “Lawyers for Hillary” fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, follows in the wake Wednesday of Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts loudly and publicly predicting at a Trump fundraiser in Bolingbrook that Trump would win the presidency and the Cubs would win the World Series.
Last week, Cubs family chieftain Joe Ricketts did a turnaround, endorsing Trump and donating $1 million to elect him.
OPINION
Follow @sneedlingsSneed is also told Laura Ricketts, a Cubs co-owner and huge Hillary supporter, attended a Hillary fundraiser tossed by tech business guru Rishi Shah at his posh downtown home later Thursday evening.
The Lawyers for Hillary Chicago event was attended by former U.S. Attorney Dan K. Webb, a staunch Republican who has now become a major supporter of Clinton.
“It’s this simple,” said Webb, who claims he has never voted for a Democrat for president.
“If Trump gets elected, this country will be destroyed.” he told Sneed.
“We’ve got to squeeze as much money as we can to bring her across the finish line. We lawyers are doing what we can to stop Trump, who will be a disaster.”
“The lawyers fund for Hillary is run by attorney Lee Miller of the DLA Piper Global Law Firm,” Webb said.
Ivanka’s coach . . .
Who woulda thunk it?
Ditka and Ivanka, an unlikely combo of Grabowski and grace chatting it up at a posh North Shore cocktail party Wednesday night to raise funds for Donald Trump’s campaign.
It’s no secret legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka is a huge supporter of Trump.
It’s not hush-hush Trump is an avid fan of Da Coach, whom he’d never met.
But last night at the home of Shelley Farley and Bill Farley, the room erupted into cheers when Ivanka Trump compared her father’s child-rearing style to that of a “coach — but not as tough as coach Mike Ditka!”
“Ditka. Ditka. Ditka.” The ensemble of 100 chanted.
Whoa.
Contacted on Thursday, Ditka told Sneed: “She [Ivanka] is a beautiful, beautiful lady and my wife, Diana, thought so, too.
“She was so well-spoken,” added Ditka, who spent time with her in private conversation. “She’s a daughter to be proud of. I’ve yet to meet her father, but I buy into him totally. I buy into his leadership and his ability. It’s simple. It’s not complicated. I don’t know why people are getting so upset about this. He’s the guy.”
Comedian Tom Dreesen, who also attended the event, told Sneed: “If her father were as articulate as Ivanka was, he’d be 25 points ahead in the polls. She’s not only gorgeous, but smart. She had an aura about her. Like a princess.”
“She loves Chicago and the city’s architecture,” said host Shelley, a noted chanteuse. “She was lovely and elegant and told us her family is her top priority, and is very organized because of that.”
The only innocent slip of the evening: Ivanka mispronounced Peoria.
And, finally. Yes. Ivanka was wearing a forest green, textured, sleeveless sheath with high heels and jewelry from her own collection.
There ya go.
???
Whaaa?
So what’s the mystery?
What’s the meaning behind the huge “LOL” signs sprouting throughout the state, jutting aside state highways, Springfield byways and Wrigleyville?
Conspiracies are running rampant.
Hmmm.
Is it a rabid St. Louis Cardinals fan sending the Cubs “Lots of Luck”?
Is it Trump to Hillary Clinton or Clinton to Trump dispatching “Lots of Laughs”?
Is it a “Land of Losers” message from House Speaker Mike Madigan to Gov. Bruce Rauner or visa versa?
Or none of the above and the beginning of a third-party bipartisan campaign aimed at the “current woes of Illinois?”
Stay tuned.
Sneedlings . . .
From Harvey to Hollywood: Congrats to comedian Tom Dreesen, Harvey’s pride, who was not only honored recently by a sold-out audience at the Museum of Radio and Television Broadcasters, but was informed Sept. 28 was named Tom Dreesen Day. . . . Today’s birthdays: Fran Drescher, 59; Debbie Silverman, ageless, Lacey Chabert, 34, a belated birthday wish to former state senator Bill Marovitz, ageless, and happy belated 94th birthday to Sophie Iwaniec.
