Yes, that really was Daley on the phone
CAMPAIGN 2008 | Mayor makes calls for Obama
With one hand clutching a telephone and his other touching his notes, the caller casually says: "Hello, this is Mayor Daley. I'm calling on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama. . . .
"Yes, it is really Mayor Daley."
(Dom Najolia/Sun-Times)
It was a scenario Daley would repeat as he joined dozens of volunteers Monday night to work the phones at an Obama campaign office downtown.
"Almost nobody believes Mayor Daley called him," Daley quipped. " 'You must be kidding.' ''
Daley told some callers that he "endorsed Sen. Obama for president because he is a leader that can inspire hope and change in our country."
Aside from making calls, Daley gave a brief pep talk to Obama's volunteers and worked the crowd at the headquarters at 300 W. Adams. Many volunteers wanted their pictures taken with the mayor. Others simply wanted to shake his hand.
Daley told the group that volunteers are important in helping candidates succeed.
"Democracy is all about volunteerism," Daley said. "I wish you the best, and we are going to win."
Ben LaBolt, an Obama spokesman, said that having an official such as Daley working the phones in an Obama stronghold such as Illinois showed that the campaign was "not taking anything for granted."
"That is why we recruited over 25,000 volunteers," said LaBolt, who added that volunteers were reminding residents that early voting is already under way for the Feb. 5 primary.