Braun Criticizes Clinton's Stumping For Emanuel
UPDATED: 12/29/2010 12:30 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun says President Bill Clinton's decision to campaign for Rahm Emanuel amounts to an outsider helping another outsider in the Chicago mayoral race.
Braun also says despite the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners' decision to keep Emanuel's name on the ballot, it is clear to her that Emanuel didn't meet a one-year residency requirement for mayoral candidates.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser Reports
Podcast
Braun, who is also running for mayor, spoke to reporters Wednesday in Chicago.
Braun declined to comment directly on remarks by fellow mayoral candidate U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), who issued an ultimatum to former president Clinton to stay out of Chicago politics.
Davis said if Clinton does come to Chicago to stump for Emanuel, he will risk damaging his relationship with African-Americans. He urged Clinton, "Just be neutral (in this election.)"
Braun also called on Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis to be replaced, adding it's "nothing personal."
Braun said Weis hasn't connected with the rank-and-file, a situation that has led to poor morale.
Braun said she is the sister of an active officer and is from a police family, and street cops' relationship with the brass is as bad now as she's ever seen.
She suggested a new superintendent could come from within the department, where she said there's already a lot of talent. That person "would better understand not only the communities and the neighborhoods, but what the officers have to deal with."
She said Weis, who came from the FBI in Philadelphia, is someone not from here "who doesn't understand this city."
The person leading the city's police force shouldn't have to "get a guidebook out," she said.
"You need to get someone who knows Chicago to run the Chicago Police Department."
Weis has not commented.
(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
