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In his first local press conference since Chicago lost its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Mayor Richard Daley declared that he would pay no political price for the loss, "none whatsoever." “You wrote my obituary, didn’t you? Some of you have, I guess,” the mayor told the press. “I don’t know why you already put me in the grave,” he said. “I know you’re all planning on it, don’t worry,” he said, after asking that we at least run a nice picture of him.
Daley also cited the benefits of Chicago's bid attempt, including “enormous free publicity” for the city, and the chance to redevelop the Michael Reese Hospital site. “That’s a great property,” he said. “That’s a great, great site if you know anything about the South Side.” In spite of the problems the city faces, including a half-billion dollar budget crunch, a CTA shortfall of nearly $300 million and violence in the public schools, Daley said he's still got the fire in his belly when it comes to governing Chicago. “I would not be here [if it didn’t].You should know me. You cannot take this job if you don’t have any passion or heart or feeling. This is not a job just to read something, like many of you do. This is a job of passion,” he said. He also took the opportunity to lash out at the media for not supporting his Olympic dreams, citing the media response in Tokyo, Madrid and Rio. “Don’t go home and cry. ... I’m not blaming you. ... It’s an observation. It had nothing to do with you," he said.
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Now he will turn his attention to hunting down and eliminating all those who opposed the Olympics in Chicago.
"It spent $48.3 million working to secure the 2016 Summer Olympics for Chicago, and donated $13 million to World Sport Chicago. Chicago 2016 also spent $9.5 million on salaries for staff and contractors."
I know these were based on private donations...but which part is the "Free Publicity" that Mayor Daley refers to?
Oh, he's dreaming if he thinks there won't be any political fallout. And besides, Chicago got plenty of free publicity last November when the whole world was watching Barack Obama in Grant Park.
Obama wants to be FDR, right? Well, one thing FDR did as president was help kill off Tammany Hall. Obama's said "how high" every time Richie said "jump" long enough, as the very existence of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and the Olympic debacle both demonstrate.
Daley should be upbeat. Chicago is a city of morons. Chicago is to Daley what Daley is to Chicago. We get exactly what we deserve and I can't wait for a privatized Cook County Hospital and Jail!
He will now get back to his normal routine of political cronyism and tax hikes. Always more tax hikes.
Don't you have a newer picture of the mayor? I believe that is from his 1989-1993 term.
Anyway, HE will not experience political fallout. He has enough power that no credible Democrat will challenge him in 2011, and you're dreaming if you think Chicago could have a Republican or a Third Party mayor.
A price will be paid on those who opposed his Olympic dreams. RAWRRRR! DALEY MAD! DALEY SMASH!
“I know you’re all planning on it, don’t worry,” he said, after asking that we at least run a nice picture of him.