Dear Congressman Emanuel,

Now that it has become apparent that Barack Obama will win the Democratic presidential nomination, it is time for Illinois' last uncommitted super delegate (at least among public officials) to announce his support for Senator Barack Obama for president.  I am aware that you worked in the Bill Clinton White House, and that you have close ties to the Clintons.  I assume, although I do not know it for a fact, that you also have a good relationship with Senator Obama.  It is not hard to guess that you have been reluctant to endorse either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton because of not wanting to offend the other candidate. That was understandable before, but it has now become clear that Senator Obama has weathered the storm of the past few weeks, and that he will be the nominee.  It is my belief that the sooner it becomes official, the better the results will be, both in terms of the Democratic candidate winning the presidency, and the party's strength in the next congress. 

Senator McCain has had a free run for several weeks.  While the two Democratic contenders and their supporters have been in a bruising battle for the nomination, Senator McCain has been able to repair his own political weaknesses with the factions of his party that previously opposed him.  It is time to end that Republican advantage. 

In addition, there are five congressional races in northern Illinois which are in play for either party this November.  I am referring to the 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 14th House seats.  I am persuaded that if Barack Obama is the Democratic presidential nominee, and he has a reasonably united party behind him, the Democratic candidate in each of those five contests has a good chance of winning the election.  In contrast, if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, it will have the effect of depressing voter turnout for the Democrats, and increase the voter turnout for the Republicans, just enough to tip the balance in favor of the Republicans in most, if not all, of those seats.  I believe that whether Obama or Clinton heads the ticket will likely make the difference in the outcome of at least three congressional races in Illinois.  In addition, the sooner it is clear to all that Obama is the nominee for president, the better the chances for healing the intra-party rifts. 

I strongly urge you to announce your support of Barack Obama for president.