Jan 22, 2007 6:45 pm US/Central
Obama Endorses Daley For Another Term
Daley Endorses Obama's Expected Presidential Bid.
CBS 2's Mike Flannery and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama on Monday endorsed Mayor Richard M. Daley for another term, saying the city has made significant progress under Daley's leadership.
Speaking at Daley's re-election headquarters, Obama praised the five-term Democratic mayor for helping reform public schools and public housing, saying, "No one can question his love for Chicago or his vision for the future."
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports the senator called Daley one of the best mayors in America.
"As long as he has passion for the job, then I think he's gonna be one of the best mayors, if not the best mayor in the country," Obama said.
But he also addressed the corruption investigation involving Daley's administration, saying "I continue to be concerned." But he said Daley had taken crucial steps to root out corruption, including by improving procurement rules.
"As a consequence, you're gonna see the kind of leaner, cleaner government that Chicagoans expect and, I know, the mayor expects," Obama said, speaking with the 64-year-old Daley at his side.
While Barack Obama said he's inclined to keep U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald in that job, Obama added Fitzgerald's federal investigations of corruption at City Hall have not shaken his confidence in Daley.
"There is no doubt that there remains progress to be made. I know the mayor knows that," Obama said. "People will be watching. I'll be watching. I think, ultimately, you want to take a look at the whole record."
If he's re-elected on Feb. 27 and serves the full term, Daley would be Chicago's longest-serving mayor. His father, Richard J. Daley, served for 21 years.
In response to Obama's endorsement, mayoral challenger Bill "Dock" Walls said, "This comes as no surprise since Obama and Daley are from the same political camp and are both advised by David Axlerod and Bill Daley."
"Obama made an ... atrocious mistake endorsing Daley, the most corrupt mayor in Chicago history," Walls added. "Ill advisedly, Obama is asking the people of the city of Chicago to ignore Daley's many transgressions. However, that makes no good political sense. Consequently, many will now question whether Obama is politically mature enough to compete in the presidential arena."
Walls warned Obama, "Political gifts from Daley come with a huge price. This mistake may cost you re-election"
Obama, 45, is considering a 2008 presidential run, and formed an exploratory committee earlier this week. He plans to announce his official decision in Springfield, Ill., on Feb. 10.
Daley, who has stayed neutral in previous Democratic primaries, said Monday he would do everything he could to help Obama should the Democratic senator decide to launch a bid for the White House.
The mayor said he was grateful for Obama's endorsement.
"We're excited, of course, about his potential campaign for the White House," Daley said. "Unlike politicians in Washington, Senator Obama has basically focused on what cities and neighborhoods need all across the country."
"He understands that our cities need a strong federal partner to address the challenges of education, crime, jobs, affordable housing," Daley said. "He knows that our cities can't take on these fights alone."
Daley has already pledged to do anything he can for Obama's presidential campaign.
"He has rejected the easy politics of name-calling and partisan politics," Daley said about Obama. "He's more interested in getting things done than dividing America."
Asked if New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's candidacy could hurt his chances of becoming the Democratic nominee, Obama was unfazed.
"I think I recall similar odds about three or four years ago when I was thinking about running for the U.S. Senate," said Obama, who was elected to the Senate in 2004 after eight years in the Illinois General Assembly.
Obama on Monday also endorsed Daley allies, Clerk Miguel del Valle and Treasurer Stephanie Neely in next month's city election.
Mayoral candidate Dorothy Brown said the Chicago Fire Fighters Union has decided to endorse her and will do so at a news conference Tuesday.
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