Mayoral Challengers Shrug Off Obama's Emanuel Endorsement
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The other candidates for mayor are shrugging off the latest boosts for incumbent Rahm Emanuel's re-election campaign, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
President Obama is now being featured in a radio ad endorsing his former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Challenger William "Dock" Walls says residents in the African American community seem to feel he should have just stayed out of the race.
"The sentiment is, as we hear it, President Barack Obama does not live in the city of Chicago, so he is disconnected from those things that are taking place in Chicago," Walls said.
Rival hopeful Jesus "Chuy" Garcia says the endorsement is no surprise and Emanuel's fundraising is typical.
"Mr. Emanuel has raised over $30 million, including $2 million from California donors alone, Garcia said. "Then he turns around and offers precious public park land to build a monument to Darth Vader. This is how Chicago works under this mayor."
Garcia was at City Hall to pick up the endorsement of the Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization.
Candidate Willie Wilson also took aim at Emanuel's campaign money.
"When you go to a grocery store you buy a loaf of bread right you're expecting that loaf of bread, right?" Willie Wilson said. "These other corporations have bought him and they're expecting their loaf of bread."