Tough Questions About Scott's Death

Chicago - Even during this emotional time, some folks are already talking about the possible political impact of Michael Scott's death on his friend, Mayor Richard Daley.

Fox Chicago's Tera Williams brought the question to some clergy on the Westside who knew Scott well, and then we went to city hall.

We asked Revered C. E. Robinson, Pastor of Holy Starlight Missionary Baptist Church this question, "How do you think his (Scott's) death will affect Mayor Daley politically?"

"Tremendous because it was an inner circle and he was the guy that the Mayor went to and the guy that the Mayor trusted," Robinson said.

West Side Clergy and longtime friends of Scott said there's no doubt his death is affecting the Mayor personally and they believe it will politically too. They call Scott an irreplaceable bridge to the black community for the Mayor.

Friend of Scott's Kublai Torre says, "Someone like Mike could relate to us out here on the street and he kept a lot of racial tension down," said Kublai Torre, a Friend of Scott's.

We went to City Hall to get Mayor Daley's reaction to the Clergy comments. When we asked him about Scott's friends saying his death will have a tremendous impact on the Mayor's political future, this was his response.

RD: "What? Death? It's a personal thing. This has nothing to do with my public career that's an insult to me. What do you mean someone died? My son died - that's an insult to me. Because someone that you love dies that changes your public career? Think a minute for the sake of people dying. That's an insult what a silly question to ever even ask. If your mother died does that change your life? What's wrong with you people don't you have any respect for people anymore? I know you want to make a lot of money, you want to be on TV, you want to ask me a lot of questions.. But do you have any respect for anyone? I guess you don't. It's kind of sad comment. You owe me an apology on that."

TW: "I'm asking your response to what they said."

RD: "Well that's a silly question and it's a dumb question as well."

TW: "I'm just asking for your reaction to what they just told me today."

RD: "Who said that at your station they asked you to do that??"

TW: "No, this is what they just said to me at this meeting with the clergy members. They said this will have a tremendous impact..."

RD: "What? You mean a death of somebody has - no... You shouldn't ask that... Give me his name."

TW: "Sure, I have it right here."

RD: "And he asked you to do that? Did he ask you to jump off a bridge tomorrow? You have no, no feeling about people. I feel sorry for you."

TW: "That's not true at all. I was just asking for your reaction to what they said."
 

Chicago Sun-Times columnist and political analyst, Laura Washington gave us her insight into the Mayor's anger. "You have to give him some slack, he's grieving."

It's a tense time and a difficult situation but Washington said although this may have been a tough topic for the Mayor, it won't be the last time he's asked to talk about it.

"Michael Scott was a very important ally to the Mayor and you've gotta ask the question. He's angry, he's upset, he's grieving, he's overreacting and he's also trying to demonize the media which is something he does very well it's very easy to beat up on the media when you're in a tough spot and he's the best at doing it,” Washington said.

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More on Scott death investigation:

• Chicago Police: No Homicide in Schools Chief Death
• Video: Mayor Daley Q&A with Tera Williams
• Scott's Friends: Not Suicide, But Murder
• Photos: Area Where Scott's Body Was Found
• Medical Examiner: Death was Suicide
• Will Cameras Answer Scott Death Questions?
• Remembering Scott's Legacy
  
• Larry Yellen: Analysis of Scott Death
  
• Union President Reacts to Scott Death
  
• Did Michael Scott Committ Suicide?

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