Clinton could cost Emanuel black votes in Chicago, congressman claims

President Bill Clinton’s rally for Rahm Emanuel could cost the mayoral candidate black votes, according to Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.).

Davis, who dropped out of the race for mayor and endorsed former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) earlier this month, claims Emanuel is beginning to lose his grip on the contest and that the Clinton rally won’t help.

{mosads}“I think there will be lots of conversation in the African-American community about his presence,” Davis told The Hill. “It could motivate a greater sense of urgency for people who support Carol Moseley Braun.”

Both Davis and state Sen. James Meeks (D) dropped their bids in recent weeks and backed Mosely Braun, who is now the only black candidate in the race. The city’s African-American leaders have called for a “unity candidate” that the black political establishment could rally behind.

Both Davis and Moseley Braun have warned that Clinton’s presence is likely to be seen by voters in the black community as needlessly interfering in a race that result in the city’s first black mayor in years.

The ultimate impact of Clinton’s visit, said Davis: “It will get Rahm some more money, but it will get Braun some more votes.”

At Tuesday’s rally, Clinton pitched Emanuel, who worked in the Clinton White House, as the candidate to “reinvent Chicago.”

“He will be fearlessly honest with you,” Clinton said Tuesday. “He will take care of you. He’ll have to do things that none of us will like, but you will, in the process, once again reinvent Chicago.”

Clinton also highlighted Emanuel’s experience as White House chief of staff for President Obama. Emanuel helped Obama successfully navigate the healthcare law through Congress.

“He’s made big decisions and has paid attention to how they should be implemented,” said Clinton.

Clinton was once described as the nation’s “first black president” because of the tremendous support he received from black voters. After leaving the White House, he chose Harlem as the site for his personal office.

But some black voters soured on the former president during the Democratic presidential primary of 2008, when Clinton supported his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton over then-Sen. Barack Obama. At one point during that race, Bill Clinton referred to Obama’s bid to become president as “the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.”

Besides the public event, the former president also held a private fundraiser for Emanuel Tuesday.

At times, racial tensions have permeated Chicago’s mayoral race. The leading black candidate, Mosely Braun, and two Hispanic candidates, former Chicago schools chief Gery Chico and city Clerk Miguel Del Valle, both trail Emanuel.

“The African-American community has regarded Bill Clinton as a friend,” said Davis. “And while the election is not and should not be about race, we know the contradictions that exist.”

Chicago, Davis explained, is “still one of the most segregated cities in America.”

While public polls show Emanuel with a sizable lead over Moseley Braun and Chico, Davis predicted the race will tighten significantly ahead of the Feb. 22 primary. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, the top two candidates will go to a run-off.

“Rahm and Chico might raise more money,” he said. “But the most money doesn’t mean the most votes.”

-Daniel Strauss contributed