Poll: Moseley Braun Has Edge Among Black Mayoral Candidates
CHICAGO (CBS) - A privately commissioned public opinion poll of African Americans in Chicago shows that former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun leads all potential black candidates for mayor, CBS 2 has learned.
A recent city-wide poll showed her first among African Americans, but in third place behind former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine has the numbers, which seem to turn conventional wisdom on its ear –- specifically, that pastor and state Sen. James Meeks was the leader among African-American candidates.
Moseley Braun may not only have been a surprise candidate, but also the surprise leader.
"That's the kind of the response that I was getting, I'm really pleased these poll results track my own personal experience," she says.
Braun and other black contenders appeared before African-American community leaders over the weekend as they sought to agree on a so-called consensus candidate. Braun's argument to them was that her appeal to voters transcended race and economic status.
"Anybody who thinks they can appeal to just one segment of Chicago and govern is mistaken and fooling themselves," Moseley Braun told Levine.
She said she has wide support because of her record and credentials. Braun claims being defeated by Peter Fitzgerald in her run for re-election should not reflect on her appeal to Chicago voters.
She attributes that loss to Fitzgerald's "millions and millions of dollars" and "dirty tricks" and downstate voters failing to support her.
This time, she says if she chooses to run, she won't be outspent and won't have to worry about downstate voters.
She is certain to be among the three finalists the Chicago Coalition says it will choose from African American mayoral hopefuls as it searches for a consensus candidate.
Braun stresses she's not yet decided for sure, but she's already hired key staffers. All indications point to her tossing her hat in the ring immediately after the Nov. 2 election.
