Danny Davis Tells Bill Clinton To Back Off As Racial Tension Grows In Mayor's Race
Soon after Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that he would not seek a seventh term, a group of African American leaders and clergy members gathered to nominate a "consensus candidate," someone who would represent the black community in the race for Chicago mayor. The "consensus" proved to be quite difficult, and evenafter Sen. James Meeks announced his withdrawal from the race, two well-known black candidates remain on the ballot.
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis--who was ultimately chosen by the city council's black caucus--and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun are both hoping to win the city's black vote, but polls are showing the sole white candidate, Rahm Emanuel, leading them both. And with the election less than two months away, Emanuel is bringing in a heavy-hitter: Bill Clinton.
Clinton is expected to swing through Chicago in January to endorse Emanuel. When Rep. Davis heard about this, he issued a rather angry statement.
"While we recognize the right of any individual to endorse and support any candidate that they so choose, I am seriously concerned and disturbed by press reports that former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to come to Chicago to campaign for Rahm Emanuel, who is a candidate for Mayor,"
First Posted: 12-28-10 05:04 PM | Updated: 12-28-10 05:04 PM