Former Mayor Richard M. Daley gave some love last week to state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who is running for governor in 2014.
Daley was receiving a “Chicago Champion Award” at the Chicago Innovations Award Un-Gala, held May 22 at Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie St. At the end of his prepared remarks, he pointed out Rutherford.
Mispronouncing the treasurer’s name as “RUTH-er-ford,” rather than “ROOTH-er-ford” (Da Mare has not become more eloquent in retirement), Daley said he was a wonderful man and a politician who has done more than many for our great state of Illinois.
Considering that Daley’s brother Bill is thinking of running for governor, don’t count that as an endorsement. But the mayors Daley often preferred working with Republican governors, because they didn’t have to compete with them for primacy in the Illinois Democratic Party.
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The Daleys also knew how to spot winners. Rutherford is the favorite in next year’s race, so maybe they’re trying to get on his good side early.