However, on issues he cares deeply about, ranging from guns to governing, Daley can be both passionate and persuasive.
Soon, he plans on joining the paid speakers' circuit.
Mayor Daley is making plans to travel the world delivering speeches and spreading ideas.
He has signed on with the Harry Walker Agency based in New York City. He'll join a stable of speakers that include former President Bill Clinton and U2 front man Bono.
A Daley confidant tells ABC 7 that Daley is especially excited about speaking overseas. During his time in office, he has visited and forged relationships in places like Britain, Brazil, South Korea and of course China.
"Our long range goal is to make Chicago the most China-friendly city in the United States," Daley said in January.
"I think overseas his prospects will begin in China," said Bob Williams of Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing. "He has a strong connection there."
Williams matches companies with celebrity speakers. He estimates Daley could command upwards of $50,000 per speech overseas.
In Chicago and the rest of the U.S, he estimates companies might pay $25,000 to hear from the retired mayor.
That is a fraction of the $100,000 per speech former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani charged in the early years following September 11, 2001.
"I think people really will related extremely well to [Daley] because he just has that regular guy persona," said Williams.
Daley also plans to accept one of a number of offers to teach at the university level, and he says he will write a book about governing.
So who would pay to hear Mayor Daley speak? Experts say overseas, he could find an audience with groups that want to better understand urban planning or how to do business in a place like Chicago.
In the U.S., people would be paying for inside stories about how the city that works, worked under daley.
An aide to the mayor emphasizes that Daley will "not" be making any paid speeches until "after" he leaves office on May 16th.
