Picking Up the Pieces

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For Washington, who will be sworn in next week, the national implications of his victory are far less important than the local ones. Whatever influence he may hope to have beyond the city—and whatever effect his election may have for black political power—will depend on whether he is able to fill the potholes and calm the fears of Chicago's prickly neighborhoods. —By Walter Isaacson. Reported by Christopher Ogden and Don Winbush/Chicago