Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama
In a sign that the Chicago Mayoral election is coming to a close, Carol Moseley Braun (pictured), former state senator and second runner-up in the race, tried to maintain her lead by defaming the character of a lesser named opponent, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins. Early voting began Monday for the election scheduled to take place on Feb. 22.
Watkins, a 53-year-old community organizer, castigated Braun during a blistering debate at Trinity United Church on Chicago's South Side for returning to politics, after "being missing in action'' while the city struggled economically and socially, according to a video provided by the church.
"Patricia, the reason you didn't know who I was for the last 20 years is because you were strung out on crack," Braun shot back. "I was not strung out on crack. I don't have a record.''
The comment, designed to shine a negative glow on Watkins' character during the final days of the election, backfired on Braun and ignited a firestorm of controversy. Watkins immediately called for an apology, adding that she didn't' really expect one from Braun. Watkins has admitted to drug abuse as a teen, but never crack, and has been clean for decades.
Neither Braun, nor her spokeswoman, returned calls to Aol. Black Voices yesterday evening. Black supporters, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush, remained closed mouth, too.
The low verbal blow could potentially cost Braun votes at a time when she maintains a second place lead behind Rahm Emanuel. She has 21 percent of voter's support, compared to 1 percent held by Watkins, according to the latest Chicago Tribune poll. Emanuel maintains 44 percent of voter's support, while Gery Chico holds 16 percent and Miguel Del Valle holds 7 percent. William "Dock'' Walls holds 2 percent.
"I don't expect an apology from ambassador Braun, but I do expect her to apologize to the millions of people who have struggled with addiction," Watkins said in a prepared statement. "This incident has definitely said more about her character than mine.
"We need to change the focus of public safety by changing perceptions,'' Watkins said in the statement, "... we must look at restorative justice reform.''
Retiring, outgoing Mayor Richard M. Daley reluctantly chimed in on the incident during a televised new conference, calling it a bad idea to discuss other people's problems:
"You have to be very careful - not only a public official, but any citizen, to make comments about someone's substance abuse problem," Daley said. "Everybody in every family has been touched by substance abuse problems."
Watkins also used the moment to quietly appeal to voters for support in a nation built on giving people second-chances and pulling themselves up by the bootstraps. She said in news reports that people should not be labeled or pushed aside because of their addictions.
Surprisingly, Emanuel, known for his combative verbal style, has stayed above the political fray during the election. Perhaps it was because he has spent most of the time mired in a court battle over whether he was a viable candidate because of questions pertaining to his residency.
But last week, he emerged victorious in the challenge when the Illinois Supreme Court ruled he met residency requirements, after leaving to serve as chief of staff for President Barack Obama. Monday, he did not focus on the incident; instead, he focused on announcing support for his campaign by the LGBT community.
This was not the first time Braun, 63, had her hand rapped for making inappropriate comments. Ironically, the latest episode came at the church where President Obama served as a member for decades and where his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, came under fire from conservatives for his inflammatory sermons.
Just days after becoming the leading black contender early last month, Braun, the former ambassador to New Zealand, drew outrage when she responded to requests from opponents and the media to turn over tax returns before the election. Her response for declining, "Because I don't want to.''
She later changed her mind and released returns that showed shaky personal finances.
Later, during a televised forum for Chicago Public School students, candidates discussed being bullied in high school. Braun went as far as to name her attacker. The woman, who is a doctor, demanded an apology too.
Meanwhile, Braun is having a difficult time recovering from the latest incident.
In an off-the-record comment to the Chicago Sun-Times, a Braun supporter openly struggled to shore her up, saying the incident was "killing her ... particularly with elderly black voters.
"Seniors are very concerned about appearances,'' the supporter said. "They think it was an embarrassment to have two educated black women out here cat-fighting."
As for Watkins, she is savoring the spotlight and using it as moment to push her candidacy.