Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's 1st Interview After Announcing He Won't Seek Another Term (EXCLUSIVE)

Chicago - Chicago Mayor Richard Daley sat down with FOX Chicago News -- one day after announcing he won't seek another term -- in an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Bob Sirott: Mr. Mayor, thank you for inviting us into your office. It's always a pleasure to be here.

Daley: You're welcome, Bob.

Sirott: How did you sleep last night?

Daley: Very well. I went out to dinner with my family. We had a very nice dinner. Came home and slept very well. Got up this morning and went to the Civic Committee, business leaders concerned about education and then we had a press conference with the Historical Black Colleges, a classic, and the city council. And, tonight I have a Mexican reception for the parade coming up Saturday.

Sirott: You mention the business leaders. They're a little nervous about you leaving.

Daley: Well, like anything else... again, you have to have confidence in the strength of people. Block clubs, community organizations, business people. You know I built this city over many, many years and it was time for me to move on. Really, and the next mayor will do just as good a job as I have.

Sirott: Did you get any surprising phone calls yesterday?

Daley: I got some great calls. I got calls from President Obama. I got a call from David Axelrod who worked with me for several years and Rahm Emanuel, calls from Governor Quinn and former Vice-President Al Gore and of course, Dick Durbin and Oprah. I had a good discussion with Oprah. So, people were very nice. You know, they were happy with my decision, in a sense that they know I had to make a decision.

Sirott: Are all those people you just mentioned running for mayor?

Daley: (Laughs.) I think there are a lot of people running for mayor. This is the best job in America. I tell people you can see change. You can get things done if you have the passion, the willingness to work hard, and the willingness not to go off on tangents and just stay focused on what you accomplish, you can do a lot.

Sirott: What did the president say to you?

Daley: He was, again, I was his only mayor. He lived here a long time as a homeowner and all that. He just thanked me for years of public service and we had a very nice conversation.

Sirott: You said Oprah called you, so first, Oprah leaves and now you're going to leave...

Daley: (Laughs.) She's going west, I told her.

Sirott: You're not leaving Chicago?

Daley: No, no way. No.

Sirott: A shy kid from Bridgeport, that's you. You grow up, stay in Chicago, end up hanging out with presidents. You travel in circles with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett. You always seemed at ease with that. Is that in part due to being the mayor's son?

Daley: No, I don't think so. You know, my dad always realized that people are people. And many of them come from different backgrounds and have different opportunities. And, you treat people the same. You are comfortable with people walking down the street, you are comfortable with people at a restaurant or a bar. You are comfortable at a bowling alley or with people doing construction or with a CEO. They are all the same. They all have the same ambitions. Some people have more money than others. Some have better business decisions. You are comfortable with them. You respect them, but you're comfortable what you want to accomplish.

Sirott: You never seemed insecure around people like that.

Daley: That's maybe the confidence you receive and the character you have. Remember, the people you deal with, business community has provided us a lot of jobs, pay taxes, and all the changes going on in the city has always been in the forefront of the business community. They've really made the changes in the city and that is what you have to understand. And that's why I'm a great ally. I need more businesses to provide people more jobs.

Sirott: Now that you are not running, tell us something you wouldn't have said two days ago.

Daley: (Laughs.) Leadership... people don't understand leadership. Leadership requires you to make a lot of decisions and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions in the face of a lot of opposition. And, if it's that bad, you can always correct it, but at least you made a decision. It isn't about arrogance. I don't feel I've ever been arrogant. I've been tough and I made decisions. Some people don't like it, but the next day I always came to work. I always came to work and it did not bother me. Fine-- you have an opposition. You have a difference of opinion, but I always knew what was in the best interest of the city. Not in the best interest of one individual too.

Sirott: You still sound like a candidate. You're not saying anything that you wouldn't have said two days ago.

Daley: Well, I think I've said a lot. You ask the media here, I think I've said a lot for them and poor Jackie, look at the condition she's in, no. (laughs) Jackie Heard. And no, I was very frank. Remember when you take the position I've been in, you meet the press more than the president..more than a U.S. senator, a congressman, the

governor, president of the county board. Think of that. I think I meet the press more than any other public official, I think, in America. And, that is amazing. But, you do it because it is part of your job. Whether it's the good days or the bad days, you still go out a meet them.

Sirott: A very big deal will be made that on December 21st, you have been mayor longer than your father, longer than any one else in Chicago history. As that day gets closer, what do you think about? How do you imagine you will feel that day?

Daley: Well, I think very sentimental in a sense that my father sacrificed a lot for the city. He really did. He loved it. I mean, he went through the 50's, but most important, he grew up in the Depression. He grew up in the war, under Roosevelt. Then, he went through the 50's. Then you take the whole transition into the 60's and 70's, my gosh, you think of that. What a transition. And, he knew things were changing more than anyone else. You know, he always knew that. And, he went all they way through the 50's, 60's, and 70's. I've gone as state's attorney through the 80's, 90's and first 10 years in this century. So, I think I have a lot of sentiment about the love I have for the city and meeting people. And, I've met marvelous people in my political career here... at the city and the county, marvelous people. It's amazing what people do. Block club presidents, community leaders, victims of crime and what they're families have turned around..purpose over pain. All these families who have lost loved ones have been constructive and going to Springfield and Washington, an uphill fight against the gun industry. I met wonderful people. Business leaders, you know, just good public servants. And that's the thing, it's all about people. It's not about this law, this rule, this regulation, it's about people.

Sirott: You've never been big on records either have you?

Daley: No, I never thought that to stay here, I'm going to have a record. I never believed in that. It wasn't my purpose of being mayor. And that's when people ask me, "Who's going to be the next mayor?" And the people are going to judge that. This is not my office. The people gave me the opportunity and privilege to serve them and they can take it away any time they want. This belongs to the city of Chicago. It doesn't belong to anyone.

Sirott: Would you like to keep it in the family, see a family member in this office?

Daley: No. No, because it's up to them if they made a decision. I told you the story my dad said to me when I wanted to go into politics. He said, you go home and talk to Maggie. You make up your own decision. You never come back to my office. You never see your mother at home complain about the decision. My children will lead their own lives and they will make choices that they want to do in their own lives. No one is ever moving in this direction. You make your own choice. My choice to enter politics and government. My choice of leaving this office.

Sirott: If you had landed the Olympics for the city, would you have run again?

Daley: I don't know. I don't if that alone would have kept me. No, I don't think so. I think there's a point in time and you do things and you don't stay for an event. You don't stay for a piece of legislation you passed. You have to have confidence in the people of Chicago, that if we got the Olympics, they could carry it out. It wasn't me carrying it. Pat Ryan. Think of all the time and effort. People devoted their time and effort, free time, everything, throughout the city, throughout the country. It wasn't Mayor Daley's Olympics. It was the United States of America at Chicago Olympics.

Sirott: I'm going to mention the 5 reasons people have speculated that you are not running. You tell me what percentage if any, these factors played into your decision: The economy's effect on the city budget?

Daley: Three years ago, the economy was just as bad. 1989 I had to put a 2-year budget, had no affect whatsoever. These are challenges and that's why you're in office, to take the challenge and be not afraid of the challenges and decisions. I did it last year, the year before, and the year before. I did an 89 for two years when I came into office, so no, that had nothing to do with it.

Sirott: Politics has gotten to mean?

Daley: No. Oh my God, when I ran in 1979, remember that, I had Jane Byrne, the Democrats after me. I ran in 83, remember that race? It was terrible. And afterwards, the Black community was yelling at me. The Caucasian community was yelling at me. I mean, those were tough elections. '89 was a tough election. I only got 6% of the African-American vote. And I knew being mayor was not just a mayor for those who voted for me, being mayor for the entire city. I had to do something special, so the Black community knew that I was going to be fair and carry on Herald Washington's legacy.

Sirott: And you said after you were elected that we have to put all of that behind us.

Daley: And that is bringing

people together and that is what you have to do. And politics, taking the 20's and 30's, read the headlines... that was tough politics then. And, I think it's changed because it isn't the elephants, it isn't the elephants and duckies anymore. You have a Tea Party, a coffee party, a martini party, a gin party, a beer party, you get a healthy drink party. I mean, there are more and more people really looking at politics in a much different way... a much more independent way of thinking than the Democrats and the Republicans.

Sirott: Another reason people have speculated on is that it's too tough to govern. You're under a political microscope more than ever.

Daley: I was always under a microscope. I was under a microscope when I was a state senator. State's attorney's under the microscope. When I ran for mayor, I was under the microscope. Since 1989, I've been under a microscope. Everybody knows who I am by now.

Sirott: What about the approval ratings going down?

Daley: Everybody's approval ratings going down. If you're out of a job, you've lost your home, your child can't get a job, your child owes.... government, look at everybody. That doesn't bother you, I don't look at polls. All my career, I have never looked at a poll. People don't say what is this, what are the issues. I have gut feelings. Going out on the street, I know people are mad. "Mayor, I need a job!" People are coming up to me, "I need a job." My son or daughter needs a job. That's how they tell you.

Sirott: It's not a good time for incumbents, people are mad.

Daley: Yeah, but you understand that. I'm mad too. I'm taking 10% of my salary. No one else in America is cutting their salary. Now, think of that. My staff is taking 10%. That's almost $20,000 out of my salary. Is one state official doing that? No. Is one federal official? No. Is one special services? No. And we're sacrificing for the people and that's what you have to show them.

Sirott: So, that leaves just one thing on the list and, as you've said, it's a family decision, Maggie's health?

Daley: No, Maggie's health. I would never, ever say I'm leaving because of Maggie's health. That would be unfair to my wife. I left because I know it's time. I've done 21 years. I have had more passion, more commitment to the city. I have worked 6-7 days a week. I do everything for the city. I cut more articles, do things, constantly thinking about the city, and it was just time. I would never say because of my wife's illness or this or that. That would be unfair to my wife or my family. I knew it was time for me and I'm more confident in my decision that I made.

Sirott: So, all the analysts are wrong?

Daley: Oh, no. They're going to analyze me and they're going to speculate, but they don't believe that I don't have a reason for coming up with it. That, okay, it has to be that. It's not that. Some people say, oh, all the victims of crime. I was state's attorney for 10 years, talk about victims of crime! So, it was no one issue. It was just my time. And, you have to have confidence in that. You have to believe that's your time.

Sirott: Health issues aside, how did Maggie feel about this? You two met at a Christmas party in 1970. So, this December will be 40 years since you met her. You're stepping down, is that sort of an early anniversary present to her?

Daley: No, you know, our relationship is this is my office. This is not my home. This is my office and I do a lot of work here. But again, my home is my home and has no relationship in regards to what decision I've ever made. In my family, I'm proud of Nora and Sean and the grandkids Kevin, Jack, and little Maggie. And, Patrick, Lally, and of course Kevin who's in heaven. And so, no, it's not part of the decision at all. That was the smartest thing and of course my dad had always done that in his life. He did the same thing. He always separated his family from government.

Sirott: How hard has it been for you with Maggie's health issues, being in this office and the workload that you continue to take on day after day?

Daley: Well, like I think like with anything else, Maggie has good doctors and a good attitude. Then I think about other people who have the same situation. Maybe they're not the Mayor of the City of Chicago. They have a mother, a brother, a sister, a child. I mean, again, you have to remember, people are in a lot of different positions, so you can't figure you're the only one. And you have to realize that. It's a family situation and our family has come together. And Maggie has an attitude and really working with her doctors, an attitude of beating this. She's remarkable. But, we don't let this defeat us because Maggie says she counsels people, she talks to people about these issues, but there's someone out there in worse condition. We knew that with Kevin, Kevin's illness. We thought he was sick until we met another couple with their sick child. Their child was just as sick as our child, or worse off.

Sirott: So, there's comfort in sharing.

Daley:

There is, yes.

Sirott: Let's talk a little bit about the future. You said you won't be in public service. You once told me you'd like to teach or run a small business. I don't know if you were kidding me or not. What do you think you'll be doing by this time next year?

Daley: Well, earlier, I just met a group of Columbia students. I really enjoy speaking to students. Just in their class, there had to be about 30 of them there and listened to their questions, listened to the things that I talked about. You know, you go to class and I said to them, you work real hard and you have student loans and you come out. That's not the America we thought about, that you would be in debt before you even got a job. That you would be in debt before you even get an interview. That you would be in debt before you even got married. Boy, you talk about, why has it changed. We have to really look at that for the future of a generation.

Sirott: So, would you like to do some work to help that problem?

Daley: Oh, definitely. I really believe we have to give more people opportunities if we are going to advance in the workforce as a nation.

Sirott: Would you like to write? How about a newspaper column?

Daley: You know my seven months are going to be dedicated to the people of the city of Chicago. I'll have enough time to worry about what I want to do when I leave office. It's going to be emotional when I walk out. You know, I walked in the front door, just getting a little practice. All the policeman were laughing. I said I just have to use it because if they don't change the door, I'll be coming to the back door and that will not be right for the next mayor. (Laughs.) But, you know, you have to look at it this way. I don't own this office. No one does. The people own this office.

Sirott: I imagine you have to be thinking about your last day, even though you have a lot of work to do before that. When you walk out for the very last time, that's going to be something.

Daley: Will they drag me out? No. (Laughs.) I don't want to go, holding on to everything...please don't take me out. No, we change the name right away. I'll never see my name on the Skyway, O'Hare Field, Midway. (Laughs.)

Sirott: You're a sentimental guy. You're an emotional guy. It's going to get to you.

Daley: Oh yeah, it will be. It does. But, like anything else, you're confident in what you made. In my decision. I mean, really, 21 years. That night, I made the decision. Last night, I went to a reception of German Americans, and then I went to the Korean Chamber of Commerce that are here. So, you know, I work at it. That decision wasn't, okay, now I'm going to relax and not do anything.

Sirott: So, right now you are focused on the work here and not thinking about being a TV commentator or starting a blog?

Daley: (Laughs.) No, none of that. Not yet.

Sirott: Have you been watching all the news stories about the Daley legacy?

Daley: By the time I get going, you know, I'm busy. I'm coming home, 9:30, 10:00 at night. I don't have time.

Sirott: It's kind of like being at your own funeral, I would imagine.

Daley: Well, you know when they ask me, "Are they going to carry you out in a coffin?" They say "you are going to be mayor for life." You know, I didn't like that question very much.

Sirott: That question was asked. Fran Spielman asked you that today at the press conference.

Daley: Yeah, right. That was uncalled for. First of all, I was never going to be mayor for life. The public will make a decision. They're the ones who are really the mayors and they're going to make that decision.

Sirott: What would you like to see in the news about the city, about you, that we don't cover? What do we routinely miss in your opinion?

Daley: I think first of all, that when I went to the Olympics and we made a presentation on behalf of the United States of America. And President Obama was there and Dick Durbin and others. We had a huge Olympic committee. When I was interviewed by all the press, I was interviewed by the Tokyo press, by the Madrid press, by the Rio de Janeiro press... after they interview me, I was telling them how great Chicago is and we're going to do this, all of them said, we have a better bid. We in Rio, we in Madrid, the press said. We in Madrid. We like your bid mayor, but ours is better. When it came to the American press, it's not just President Obama's bid, or my bid, somewhere, they just didn't get that. That doesn't mean you are kowtowing to the mayor or oh, I want to be friends with the mayor. You're just saying, United States of America, we believe we have a better bid. We had all the Olympians there. We had the business community, the labor community and that's the thing I just don't understand with the media. You're going to be critical. You're going to be the opposition, you're not in anybody's pocket. But, they could have said, we think the United States has a better bid when they interviewed the mayors of Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro.

Sirott: So, too