M. Spencer Green/AP
Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Bill Daley dropped out of the Democratic primary Monday, telling the Chicaco Tribune that he was not prepared for the “enormity” of his first time running for office. “But the last six weeks or so have been really tough on me, struggling with this. Is this really me? Is this really what I want to spend my next five to nine years doing? And is this the best thing for me to do at this stage of my life?” he told the paper. “I’ve come to the conclusion that this isn’t the best thing for me.” Daley was previously a chief of staff to Barack Obama, commerce chief for President Bill Clinton, and campaign manager for Al Gore. His withdrawal from the race leaves current Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn with a potentially free shot at being renominated for the election in March.