President Obama and First Lady Michelle flew to Chicago on Wednesday to tape the Oprah Winfrey show (Chief of Staff Bill Daley and First Mom Marian Robinson were also on Air Force One) and the Chicago Sun-Times Abdon M. Pallasch handled the pool reports:
POOL REPORT 1
Mayor Daley is in the front row as President Obama and the First Lady begin the interview with Oprah just after noon CST.
The president is in a Navy blue suit. The first lady is wearing a multi-color dress. That’s about all we’re allowed to report.
POOL REPORT 2
Taping went from about noon to 1:10 p.m. CST with 4 or 5 short breaks.
Afterward, backstage in a hallway, Obama presented Mayor Daley with an 1834 surveyor’s map of the city of Chicago from the National archives, framed with a note that said, “Thank you for making a great American city a great world city.”
As some of Daley’s family members including Obama Chief of Staff Bill Daley, the mayor’s brother, looked on, Obama praised Daley’s tenure as mayor and added that if Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel needs help, that Daley should offer him some tips.
On the chopper ride downtown from O’Hare, Daley “generated about 30 ideas” on everything from fighting rats to breeding bees, Obama said. Obama thanked Daley for training his brother well.
CLICK BELOW FOR POOL REPORT 3
POOL REPORT 3
Here are some fuller quotes from the exchange with Daley:
Afterward, backstage in a hallway, Obama presented Mayor Daley with an 1834 surveyor’s map of the city of Chicago from the National Archives records center, framed with a note that said, “Mayor Richard Daley, Thank you for making a great American city a great world city.”
Daley’s son Patrick, his daughters Nora Conroy and Elizabeth “Lally” Daley stood near him. His brother Bill, Obama’s chief of staff, stood off in the background.
“Thanks for training Bill properly – he’s going a good job,” Obama quipped to Daley.
Then Obama and Daley began praising each other. Obama noted, “This is going to be the last time I am in town while Mayor Daley is still mayor … Thank you. You have done an extraordinary job and this city has been transformed because of your leadership. Not only the museum park and changes along the lakefront, but also bringing this city together in a way that I think a lot of people didn’t imagine could be done.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of you,” Obama said.
“On the helicopter ride over here, He was still generating about 30 ideas for everything from how to get rid of rats to how to start beehives to making sure that we have bikes for every kid in the schools, so I’m skeptical he’s going to be taking a lot of time off. I know he’s going to be spending some time with Maggie and the family.”
Emanuel will be sworn in May 16 to replace Daley.
“Make sure if Rahm starts messing up, you give him some tips,” Obama told Daley. Then, just before turning to walk away, the president put his thumb up and said, “Go Bulls!”
Heading back to Soldier Field for the departure.
