Obama, Daley would make formidable political team (Illinois)

[chiburb]

Columnist in today's Chicago Sun-Times is suggesting that Daley (King Richard II) might endorse Obama for Dem. Senator because he needs to score points with blacks. This article is an excellent primer on Chicago and Illinois politics (though it is hard to find appropriate snips. Go read the whole thing).

Snip:

The controversy over the Chicago Police Board's failure to include an African American among the finalists for superintendent is likely to have an impact in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.

Just as the late Harold Washington's historic mayoral bid was sparked by former Mayor Jane Byrne's ouster of African Americans from the Board of Education and CHA board, the exclusion of a black finalist for police chief has the potential to galvanize the African-American community.

In a multicandidate field with rivals splitting the white vote, state Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago) could win his party's nomination by taking most of the black vote and doing well among white progressives along the northern lakefront and in the suburbs.

Mayor Daley stands to gain the most if Obama wins the primary and goes on to make history as only the third African American elected to the Senate in the last century.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/neal/cst-edt-neal12.html

[davsand]

1. Looks like somebody pointed out the lump under the rug...

The concept that Daley will do what is best for Daley is not a new one, but it is the first time I've seen it in the context of this race. Interesting stuff...

I was not aware of the extent of the Hynes' family ties into the Daley admin, but it does sound like an established relationship. I did know that Daley played a role in Emil Jones' move to the leadership--so this poses an interesting dilemma for Daley. Oddly enough, I can't help but wonder if Blag's influence won't be the trump card in it all.

If you were Daley, and you could boost numbers with minorities (a serious segment of your voters) and you could also please the Senate leader as well as the Governor would you have any reluctance about endorsing Obama?

...or would you simply NOT endorse anybody in this primary and keep the Hynes family happy--yet not peeve anybody else too much?


Man, that is not an easy one to predict. Daley has his stuff in a serious wringer here.

Thanks for putting this article up...

Laura

[chiburb]

2. Daley is famous for "not taking sides"

Publicly, but having his foot soldiers actively encourage support/votes for a specific candidate.
In this case/race, Blago and Daley have both taken money from Hull (I think Hull gave Blago over $500,000) so they SHOULD owe him big time. But if Neal isn't just guessing at this, you're right: a serious wringer.
I still think you're right (in earlier threads): Blago, Daley, and Labor will not endorse anyone. Too many conflicts, the seat is too important, almost all of the candidates would be better for them than Fitzgerald.

Later Gator...