During the 1980s and 1990s, Cook County Democrats ran political ads telling voters to "Punch 10."

The slogan, which referenced the hole to punch on an election ballot in order to vote a straight Democratic ticket, was a large portion of the party's message for many campaigns during that time.

No message about issues. No description of candidates. No arguments against the opposition. Just "Punch 10."

"Don' you worry about nutin', ferget da detailz, we'll take care o' yuse. 'Punch 10.'" It was so Chicago.

Which brings us to the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL).

Nina Easton has written a piece in Fortune titled, "Rahm Emanuel, Pitbull Politician," which has this interesting tidbit: (emphasis added)

... Emanuel had political aspirations of his own, which necessitated some financial security. So in late 1998 he traded in Clinton as his boss for Bruce Wasserstein, a major Democratic donor and Wall Street financier. "Money is not the be-all and end-all for him," says brother Zeke. "But he knew he needed money so that wouldn't be a problem while he was doing public service." Over a 2 1/2-year period he helped broker deals-often using political connections-for Wasserstein Perella.

According to congressional financial disclosures, he earned more than $18 million during that period. His deals included Unicom's merger with Peco Energy and venture fund GTCR Golder Rauner's purchase of SBC subsidiary SecurityLink. But friends say his compensation also benefited from two sales of the Wasserstein firm itself, first to Dresdner Bank and then to Allianz AG.

So, Emanuel was hired by Bruce Wasserstein, a man who has contributed over $200,000 to the Democratic Party since 1990 (see campaign disclosure information here, here, here, and here), and subsequently made about $18 million in less than three years while working for Wasserstein's firm.

They took care of their boy. It is so Chicago.

"Punch 10."

* Rep. Emanuel's personal financial disclosures for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.