When Congressman Danny Davis lent his support to Clerk of Court and county board president candidate Dorothy Brown, he praised her for her experience and her independence, calling her the people’s choice.
But then he said something that really stuck out:
"After looking at all the candidates, I want to be with the one who's going to win."
And from a press release:
"In all of my public endeavors I try and be where I think a majority of the people are. My political group voted for Dorothy Brown, the People of Cook County have said four times that they want Dorothy Brown, they want Dorothy Brown, they want Dorothy Brown - -then I want Dorothy Brown."
Davis’ endorsement was coveted by all four Democrats vying for President Todd Stroger’s job, and Brown, who leads in name recognition, according to a recent Tribune/WGN poll, will benefit from his backing.
But how valuable is an endorsement that hinges largely on Davis wanting to side with the winner?
“I haven’t been able to figure that one out myself,” says Don Rose, a longtime observer of Chicago politics. “I’m a little baffled by the statement and I’m not sure I could trust it.”
Scott Cisek, campaign manager for Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, says Preckwinkle is poised to rise in the polls.
“I think it’s very shortsighted of the Congressman, because he’s operating off what a lot of people call the number one rule in Chicago, which is to make no waves and back no losers,” says Scott Cisek. “People are coming to her, citing her progressive values, so I don’t think it’s making any great waves to endorse Toni Preckwinkle.”
John Davis, communications director for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terrence O’Brien, said the campaign was disappointed not to get Congressman Davis’ endorsement, but not surprised.
“I think his real intent was to go with Todd. I really think he was hoping for any reason to go with Todd,” John Davis says.
The Stroger campaign could not be reached for comment today, but chastised the congressman for an endorsement that could divide the black community.
Rose says the endorsement of Brown is a blow to the Preckwinkle campaign, which has positioned itself on a progressive platform, similar to that of Davis.
“It would seem logical for him to endorse Preckwinkle, because that is the constituency she perceives herself representing,” Rose says. “It’s an unexpected endorsement.”
He hints that something else may have spurred Davis to endorse Brown.
“I don’t believe it’s real. I think he has other reasons,” Rose says, adding he did not know what they could be.
But political consultant Kelly Dietrich says Davis had less cryptic motives for supporting Brown, who has a pair of advanced degrees and a City Hall pedigree.
“You’re assuming he’d endorse someone who wasn’t qualified,” Dietrich says. “Danny Davis, his integrity, his willingness to back candidates, is strong. All three of the leading candidates there are more than qualified to be county board president.”