Cubs owners Tom Ricketts and Laura Ricketts tried hard, Thursday, to distance themselves from their father's politics.

Earlier Thursday the New York Times published a piece about a Joe Rickett's backed SuperPac that had planned to run advertisments tying President Barack Obama to firebrand reverend Jeremiah Wright.

Joe Ricketts disavowed the plan shortly after the article appeared. But the mere suggestion of a plan poses problems for the Cubs owners.

Tom Ricketts has been negotiating with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel -- who is a big supporter of Obama's -- to help fund a ball park renovation.  Emanuel is reportedly livid about the SuperPac plan.

A source within the mayor's office said:

The Mayor was livid when he read that the Ricketts were going to launch a $10 million campaign against President Obama – with the type of racially motivated ads that are insulting to the President and the Presidential Campaign. 

He is also livid with their blatant hypocrisy. 

The Ricketts have tried to contact the Mayor but he's said that he does not want to talk with them today, tomorrow or anytime soon.

Both Tom and Laura Ricketts must have sensed the problem, because the pair had statements at the ready.

Tom Ricketts' statement read:

As chairman of the Chicago Cubs, I repudiate any return to racially divisive issues in this year’s presidential campaign or in any setting—like my father has.
 
My focus is on one of the great American pastimes, baseball. And our team and every other Major League Baseball team are great examples of people of diverse backgrounds working together towards a common goal. I shall have no further comment on this or any other election year political issue. My full-time focus is on making the Chicago Cubs a World Series champion preserving Wrigley Field and making the Chicago Cubs a great corporate citizen.

Laura Ricketts' statement read: 

All of my family members and I love this country and are passionate about doing what is right for the country.  That love of country was instilled in us by my father.  We have different political views on how to achieve what is best for the future of America, but we agree that each of us is entitled to our own views and our right to voice those views.
 
Though we may have diverse political views, above all we love and respect each other.

My own personal view is that President Obama has been a great leader in very difficult times. He has been leading us to an economic recovery; served with great honor as commander-in-chief during a time of war; been a strong proponent on issues important to women and just last week he exhibited great courage in endorsing the freedom to marry for Gay and Lesbian Americans.

I am doing all that I can to help President Obama get re-elected because it is what I believe is best for America.

We'll have to wait and see if the statements were enough to soothe Emanuel's ire.

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