Daley on Stroger: "Why don't you explain it to 'em?"

By Kate Gardiner in News on Apr 26, 2009 5:30PM

The Todd Stroger-Cook County Board patronage scandal has been rocking for more than a week, long enough that his political ally, and our beloved mayor, Richard J. Daley, has finally issued a comment.

Sum total? Stroger should explain himself.

Now, as the Trib points out, Daley has been within fallout distance of many a Chicago politics scandal over the years - and he's never followed his own advice, dodging questions from irritating reporters left and right. It's been frustrating on both sides.

But the Stroger scandal is different, possibly because it's so blatantly ... wrong. Or because Stroger, himself the product of political nepotism, is so virulently despised by his fellows.

Regardless, Daley told the Tribune, ""He has to speak on behalf of himself. I've known the family for many, many years," Daley said after a peace rally. "He has to get out there and be able to explain that to everyone in Cook County."

Notably, Daley has not committed to supporting Stroger in the upcoming Cook County Board elections.

The board appointed new member Bridget Gainer to fill a seat vacated by now-U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-5th) April 11.