Obama endorses Daley for sixth term as mayor
Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama takes questions at a news conference after endorsing Richard Daley, right, for another term as Chicago mayor Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, in Chicago. The Associated Press
January 23, 2007
CHICAGO – 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.”
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.
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.
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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.
“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.”
He added that Obama understood the challenges facing the nation’s cities.
“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.”
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.
Obama on Monday also endorsed Daley allies, Clerk Miguel del Valle and Treasurer Stephanie Neely in next month’s city election.
