Daley wants ex-president to boost Olympics bid

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he wants a dream team of former presidents, secretaries of state and ambassadors to work to make his Olympic dream a reality.

Calling President-elect Barack Obama the "quarterback" of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Daley said it's time to round out the team with some heavy-hitters.

Daley on Wednesday said getting the support of ex-presidents and ambassadors for Chicago's Olympic bid is important because private citizens can approach members of the International Olympic Committee while the city's the U.S. Olympic Committee cannot.

Seeking the help of big-name political figures indicates Daley is following a suggestion made by former U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.

In October 2007, Ueberroth said Chicago Olympic efforts lagged behind other cities and Chicago-style politicking was needed to turn that around.