CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he wants a dream team of former presidents, secretaries of state and ambassadors to help seal the deal for the city to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Calling President-elect Barack Obama the "quarterback" of the team, Daley says he wants to add more heavy-hitters.
On Wednesday Daley said getting such support for Chicago's Olympic bid is important because private citizens can approach International Olympic Committee members at anytime. The mayor and the city's Olympic committee are restricted in their access to the panel.
Seeking the help of big-name political figures indicates Daley is following a suggestion made by former U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.
Ueberroth said Chicago Olympic efforts were lagging and Chicago-style politicking was needed to turn that around.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM