Garcia Reverses Course On Building Obama Library In A Park
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Facing a steady stream of criticism from the Emanuel campaign for his stance on a potential Obama Presidential Library in Chicago, challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia backed down from his opposition to building the facility on public park land.
As Garcia and Mayor Rahm Emanuel both stumped with Polish-American voters on Monday for Pulaski Day, Garcia said he'd retooled his campaign, and indicated he has reversed his position on opening an Obama Presidential Library on public land.
"I have been consistent and unwavering in my support of the presidential library to come to Chicago. It appears that there are two sites left, a South Side and a West Side site. Whatever the final decision is made by the selection committee, and President Obama, I will support," Garcia said.
The Emanuel campaign had been hammering Garcia for his opposition to building the library on Chicago Park District property, claiming it would jeopardize efforts to bring the library to Chicago.
The University of Chicago has proposed building the library on park land in either Washington Park or Jackson Park on the South Side. The University of Illinois at Chicago has proposed building the library on vacant city-owned land in North Lawndale. Columbia University in New York and the University of Hawaii also have made bids for the library.
Though he previously has said the library should not be built on Chicago Park District property, Garcia would not explicitly state he has changed his mind.
"You heard what I said. There are only two sites. Thank you," he said. "I am saying what I said."
Garcia had been hoping for an endorsement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, but all he got was a hug as they appeared together on Monday. Garcia serves as Preckwinkle's floor leader on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, but Preckwinkle said she's staying neutral in the race for mayor.
"That's been my position, yes," Preckwinkle said.
Garcia said he's not hurt by Preckwinkle's decision.
"How can anything be a blow if we're doing so great? I welcome any new endorsements. I will seek them. I'm also raising money, and building our troops on the ground for a victory on April 7th," he said.
The latest poll showed Emanuel and Garcia in a virtual tie, considering the 3 percent margin of error, with 42.8 percent of voters backing Emanuel, and 38.6 percent backing Garcia.
Garcia said he's feeling great five weeks out from the runoff.
"I did the Polar Plunge yesterday. I didn't get pneumonia. I [overcame] one of my biggest phobias in life: cold water. So I'm feeling great about the poll," he said.
Meantime, Emanuel continued to tout himself as the only candidate with specific plans for addressing the city's budget and pension problems.
"I've been very specific about my ideas; very specific about the record, but also most importantly about what it's going to take to meet our challenges head on," he said.
One of the biggest challenges Emanuel faces ahead of the runoff is rebuilding his support among African-American voters. While he won approximately 59 percent of the vote in predominantly black wards four years ago, he pulled in only about 42 percent in a five-way contest last month, which helped force him into a runoff with Garcia.
Since then, he has met multiple times with former candidate Willie Wilson, who got 10 percent of the vote. Both Emanuel and Garcia have been seeking Wilson's endorsement, but he has hedged, saying he'll personally vote for Garcia, but might publicly endorse Emanuel, depending on what he hears from the people who voted for him.