Of course, I am terribly amused by all of this- I won't lie. Not that he's had a chance of winning after all the problems that the GOP has been facing in Illinois due to corruption, scandals and under the table deals from the previous Governor Ryan.
(To be fair... Mayor Daley who is a stout Democrat and is in charge of the City Of Chicago has his fair share of corruption going on. Still, I just can't take Chicago politics all that seriously. If you knew the cast of characters we have as aldermen, etc, you'd laugh too.)
From MSNBC:
2:43 p.m. CDT June 25, 2004 - Republican Jack Ryan issued a statement Friday saying he was dropping out of the U.S. Senate race, four days after embarrassing sex club allegations in his divorce records became public."It's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race," Ryan said in the statement.
"What would take place, rather, is a brutal, scorched-earth campaign — the kind of campaign that has turned off so many voters, the kind of politics I refuse to play," the statement read.
I find that statement totally funny because if you have been watching the news and papers in Illinois, its not the Democrats who have said a word about this. Its Ryan's own party which has given the choicest sound-bites. They were silent for only one day but since then, the screams for his head by Illinois GOPers are comical.
Oh, and for all you people who think it was the Dems who went after Jack Ryan please note:
The was the Chicago Tribune and WLS who sued to get the records released
Article comments
1 - jack e. jett
reep, sew, whips, and chains
jack
2 - Mac Diva
It just struck me that now we may not be seeing nude pictures of Jack Ryan. Not that I am into salacious material or anything. But, I had expectations of seeing nude pictures of Jack Ryan as sex clubs and/or former lovers came forward. I don't like it when my expectations are dashed. I wonder if the hair on his lower regions is curly too. . . .
3 - Bob A. Booey
Freaky.
I don't know what's more disgusting -- curly pubes or you thinking about them. I think I see people's point about the prurient nature of the public and media now.
For what it's worth, I never thought Jack Ryan was that good-looking. He's got a big smile and he's a tall mofo, but he's always looked a lil off to me. I'll miss seeing him surrounded by black children constantly.
Oberweis is a racist who got smoked in the primaries. He won't get the call unless no one else will do it. He is rich, but it'll be Gidwitz (the former chair of the Illinois Board of Education who is being pushed into it despite his wife's objections) or Rauschenberger. The Illinois GOP won't choose another hard-right social conservative like Ryan -- who won the primaries because his pro-life views mollified the conservative wing of the party -- and Oberweis isn't a moderate like Gidwitz.
Ryan withdrawal statement
Published June 25, 2004, 2:45 PM CDT
U.S. Senate candidate Jack Ryan today released the following statement:
"Thirteen months ago, I announced my determination to seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. I entered this race because I love my country and my home state of Illinois — and because I believe that one man, living for purposes larger than himself, can make a difference.
"The media has gotten out of control. The fact that the Chicago Tribune sues for access to sealed custody documents and then takes unto itself the right to publish details of a custody dispute — over the objections of two parents who agree that the re-airing of their arguments will hurt their ability to co-parent their child and will hurt their child — is truly outrageous.
"The debate between competing visions and philosophies is a vital one — one the voters of Illinois absolutely deserve. Elections, after all, are about choices. But it's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race.
"What would take place, rather, is a brutal, scorched-earth campaign — the kind of campaign that has turned off so many voters, the kind of politics I refuse to play.
"Accordingly, I am today withdrawing from the race.
"To the 234,000 Republican voters who cast a ballot for me in March, to the thousands of supporters and volunteers who have invested in our campaign the two most precious resources they have — their time and their money — I say thank you. I will never be able to properly express the depth of my gratitude for the trust you placed in me."
4 - CW Fisher
Bobba... you're from Illinois? I'm from Illinois. Out here we're all ill-annoyed. I think the difference between the reds and blues has a lot to do with sex. Blues are for it, reds against it. In time this will produce more blues than reds, except it seems most blues would rather be red than pregnant, hence the subsex alternatives. BJs, cigars, lap dances and so forth. Frankly, I'm awed by the Republican response in Illinois. The Repos don't do well here, and they had a shot with Ryan. Talk about sticking to their guns. I respect that. But Obama's going to be hard to beat. If you don't know the name yet, learn it now. He's going places.
And Tek.... you shameless self protions are the most shameless ever. How we love them! You rule.
5 - CW Fisher
I meant "shameless self promotions."
6 - Mac Diva
Bob, it is a girl thing. You wouldn't understand-:).
I read that Oberweis is poison to the White House after hopping in bed (not literally, as far as I know) with Tancredo.
Another thing that strikes me after spending a week in Illinois politics wise is that y'all have all these very, very, very rich people running for offices only one of them can win. Imagine how much good those fortunes could do if they weren't being wasted on politics.
And, oh, I have a piece up on Ryan's exit, "Jack hits the road."
7 - Jim Carruthers
Of course, with Ryan out of the race, the Republicans have to forgo their election marketing campaign at local hot dog stands.
And here they had the opportunity to show they could challenge Clinton the week his book came out on wiener issues.
8 - RJ Elliott
Tek: A question of purely prurient interest - What else is pierced besides your tongue? :-P
9 - Ms. Tek
None of your business, Elliot.
10 - RJ Elliott
Aww. I'm hurt for two reasons.
First, you didn't spell my name right.
Second, I gave you an Amazon donation as a peace offering.
:-/
Don't worry. I won't ask for a refund. [sniff]...
11 - Ms. Tek
Oh, PLEASE DO ask for your dollar back!!
Please, please, please!! If not, I'll just donate that dollar to John Kerry- In your name, spelled properly. ;)
To John Kerry
$1
From RJ Elliott
12 - RJ Elliott
LOL...
Whatever. I gave it to you, it's yours to spend however you'd like. Even on pond-filth like multi-millionaire John F-ing Kerry.
The unfortunate thing about Web donations is, you can't wipe your ass with it and send it back to the recipient... :-/
13 - RJ Elliott
Er, I meant "giver" not "recipient." Which I probably spelled incorrectly anyway.
Oh well. :-/
Thanks Tek. I'm now depressed. :-/
14 - Bob A. Booey
CW,
Yes, I'm from Chicago. I wrote a whole section about Obama's rise and his future in one of the previous Jack Ryan/Obama topics a couple of days ago. I revise my speculation about his viability as a future VP candidate, though, because I didn't know he'd admitted to cocaine use. Nonetheless, I can still see him being a ranking leader in the Senate much like his mentor Paul Simon, respected by both sides of the aisle for his intellect, integrity, and persuasion.
I too like Tek's self-deprecating plug, for what it's worth. Go Scary Spice :)
RJ, Bush is a multi-millionaire too and he obviously likes the "haves and the have mores" quite a bit.
I guess everyone on here insists on being a Trekkie or Star Wars character.
Bobba Fett out!