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* As you probably know by now, Republican Jim Ryan will reportedly file to run for governor today…

Jim Ryan ran and lost to Democrat Rod Blagojevich in 2002. Now there’s word he’s entering next year’s election race, competing against fellow republicans including State Sen. Kirk Dillard, DuPage county chairman Robert Schillerstrom and former state GOP chairman Andy McKenna.

Ryan, most recently, was the state’s attorney general. He has been out of public office for nearly a decade, now teaching political science at Benedictine University in Lisle.

He could carry some heavy political baggage. During his career, his largest campaign contributor was former law school friend Stuart Levine, now a disgraced and admittedly corrupt businessman.

With Brian Dugan’s confession to the 1983 murder of Jeanine Nicarico, there could also be a renewed focus on Ryan’s prosecution of two innocent men when he served as DuPage County state’s attorney.

* The Question: Can he win the Republican primary or is he doomed? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:11 pm

Comments

jim ryan SHOULD be doomed. all of the other republican candidates need join together to pounce on him hard to ensure that he has no chance of winning the primary. if he wins the primary all of the stuart levine and nicarico case will dog him and sink/spoil whatever chances republicans may have.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:16 pm
I’m a locked closet dem and I’ll vote for him!

Comment by Whoa! Just a Sec. Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:16 pm
To paraphrase a line from the movie Tin Cup, in a scene where the golfer keeps dropping golf balls in the same spot after hitting the previous shots over and over in the water - “Somebody tackle him, tell him he doesn’t have to do it!”

I am embarrased FOR Jim Ryan … by the way, great advice from his “friends” ….

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:19 pm
Jim Ryan is a good man, but I think this is a mistake on his part. The GOP needs to move on. I don’t think Ryan can win, and I think his candidacy makes it more likely that Bill Brady will win the Republican primary.

Comment by Anon-Number7 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:26 pm
While all will focus on Stu “Purple Hotel” Levine, Nicarico and support of HB 750, real cause of his demise will be: he enters a new political world without infrastructure, $$$$ difficulties compounded by new campaign finance rules no real understanding of the major issues facing Springfield today.

Please recall he was a stiff on the trail when he had the AG title and a campaign that was a shambles until Hendren arrived the last 3 months. Give it up General!

Comment by ANON Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:26 pm
He can win the primary.

As for “doomed” in the divine sense I don’t have an opinion. In the electoral sense I would expect him to lose handily in the general election.

Too much baggage. One thing I’ve never understood about virtually all prosecutors is the complete inability to admit that a mistake was made.

Anyway as an angry yet regrettably partisan, Democrat I wish Jim all the best in the primary.

Comment by IrishPirate Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:26 pm
He’s ok for a Republican, but his last name is a campaign killer…

Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:27 pm
Doomed.

The Levine connection and Ryan name do him in, fair or not. Add to that the Nicarico case, and he won’t be able to raise a dime.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:27 pm
“This is a terrible idea, candidates who never learn their lessons and keep running over and over again are just a waste.

Sincerely,

Jim Oberweis”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:28 pm
Six years and ten months is nearly a decade?

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:30 pm
I still think he could have trouble with, of all things, his name, since we’ll be reminded constantly by the media of the George Ryan trial during the Blago trial this summer.

On the other hand, he probably has statewide name recognition that many of the seemingly dozens of other Republican potential candidates lack–and when people have too many choices, I imagine they get frustrated and hit the easy button, so to speak.

Comment by cassandra Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:31 pm
not a good move. Yesterday’s news. Why do they think this is a good idea?

Comment by get real Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Jim Ryan is better poised in 2010 to reverse the harm that Blagojevich and the Democrats have plagued Illinois with than in his first attempt in 2002. He has a proven record of solid and authentic leadership at the Illinois Executive level already. As much as I hate to say it, he and only he in the field of GOP candidates can say “I told you so”. Therefore, I will be front and stage at his announcement in front of the Lincoln Statue on the Capitol Grounds at the crack of Noon!!!

Comment by GOP has Troubles Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:32 pm
No.
He was a warmed up leftover in 2002. The idea that he could win next year is totally delusional. After Blagojevich and Quinn we need to move forward - not back to another Ryan.

Good grief.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:33 pm
People, leave your talking points out of this and answer the question at hand, please. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:34 pm
“Dear Jim Ryan,

Vanity should not be a reason to get back into politics. You had a fine career, you gave the state your best, but you baggage and last race showing should temper you vain thought of trying to grasp the spotlight.

Very truly yours,

Roland Burris
Comptroller
Illinois Attorney General
United States Senator - Illinois”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:36 pm
Given all the other lightweights in the field, it is possible he could get the nomination with some bare plurality.

But Ryan - and the entire GOP ticket - would then be doomed in the General.

With the Levine and Nacarico baggage, it’s absurd (and incredibly selfish) for Ryan to jump in.

The IL GOP is still dominated my a bunch of Me Generation, selfish hacks.

Ryan and Topinka (for starters) are millstones ready to be hung around the neck of the entire GOP in 2010.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:38 pm
I would like to think he could win the nomination, but I have little faith that my fellow Illinoisians wuld vote him in. Yes, he’s stiff on the campaign trail. Yes, he’s been out of the game awhile. Yes, some baggage from the past could hinder him (but everyone has baggage).

However, the ideas he put forth in the last election were sound. OImagine what our state might look like today had the people of Illinois chosen stodgy and solid over showy and stupid.

Can he win? Yes. Will he win? I doubt it.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:41 pm
I think this is a BIG mistake. I like Jim Ryan personally and fought hard for his election to Governor last time he ran. His friends are doing him a great injustice by convincing him to run again. He should leave his good reputation intact. Running could ruin that and he will for sure be a two-time loser. Hang up the cleats please.

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:42 pm
I’m new to IL since 2002, so I’ve never even seen or heard Jim Ryan. That said, despite discussion about his ties to Levine or his unfortunate last name, I don’t think anyone should count him out. The GOP field is, as ever, a complete vacuum. Not one candidate - despite the Edgar endorsement for Dillard or the big spending by McKenna or the grassroots strength of Brady - has managed to suck the air out of the room and emerge as the true frontrunner. If Ryan can do that, he’ll win. If not, he won’t.

Comment by Watching closely Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:46 pm
I request the following QOTD for the GOP Gov race and the Lt. Gov. race (both parties).

Place the candidates in the following three categories.

a. candidates who will get 5% or less of the vote
b. candidates who will get between 5-12% of the vote
c. candidates who will get over 12% of the vote

I’m curious which candidates get pegged at what level by the audience.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:49 pm
Big mistake. if he was the only candidate out of DuPage, maybe he could make a run. But his campaign is running on expired time. Name id can be bought in jiffy (i.e. McKenna). Ryan has no political base, no fundraising base and a lot of unanswered questions.

The highwater mark for this campaign was 3 weeks ago when they did the poll. It will only go downhill from there…

Comment by Easy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:51 pm
He is doomed. Voters have forgotten who he is, and even if he starts moving in the polls there are four things the others can throw at him. What is the over/under on the winning GOP goober candidate—18 percent?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:52 pm
Jim has experience and name recognition superior to his opponents. He also is the only candidate who has won statewide primary elections. His reputation for integrity will help him overcome the baggage.

Comment by reformer Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:03 pm
I dont think Jim Ryan has much of a chance of winning in the primary. He been out of office and out mind for most of the electorate for too long and he has to much baggage, including the Ryan name. I am sure it must bother Jim Ryan that he lost to Blago by a small margin in 2002, but his time has past.

Comment by RMW Stanford Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:09 pm
“Can he win the Republican primary or is he doomed?”

Yes he can win, but it will be a tough battle. Jim Ryan can answer levine questions by pointing out that he stopped the sweetheart purchase of a a few building in springfield by the State from a couple friends of George Ryan; and Jim Ryan blocked the Judy barr topinka sweet heart deal for Cellini that would have left him the hotel for a few pennies on the dollar.

he has some good ammo and record he can bring forth. BUT he needs to be prepared with this tuff out of the gate and be ready for an aggressive campain. And he has the same lack of presencde problem Hynes has.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:10 pm
He is doomed. Tied to Levine. Tied to prisoner George by name.

Comment by Justice Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Almost anyone can win the Repub primary. There are so many candidates and so much disarray that lightening could strike anywhere. None of the candidates are particularly attractive nor bring an automatic base. The question becomes, how small a percentage of the vote will it take to win the primary?

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:21 pm
Doomed. R-Y-A-N. Nuff said.

Comment by Rudy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:23 pm
Doomed.

The baggage plus his lack of campaign talent is a lethal combination.

Comment by Obamarama Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:26 pm
Sure he can win. I am supporting the Proft/Meeks ticket but Jim would be a good candidate as well.

Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:27 pm
The “big names” in both parties are guys who have been in politics forever and are well connected- including Quinn and Hynes. Let’s not pretend that Jim Ryan is the only familiar face.

Comment by Skittles Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:29 pm
Know what? Perhaps enough Rhinos need to get in the race to split the pretend Republican vote to ensure a real conservative gets the nomination so Illinois has a chance to elect a conservative to fix this cesspool of a state. Jim Ryan has no chance of winning…only benefit of him being in the race is to pull votes off JBT and McKenna.

Comment by Segatari Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:34 pm
== Proft/Meeks ==

Makes my head ‘asplode

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:34 pm
doomed

Comment by Lee Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:43 pm
Jim Ryan is a decent man. He missed his spot. He should have jumped back in back in 2006. He would have looked so good next to slimy Blago. That should have been his time. He would have won then.

This year he can help to further spread out the establishment vote creating an opening for Adam Andrzejewski, the best clean gov’t candidate we’ve had since Peter Fitzgerald ran for Senate. That is a very welcome service.

Comment by jaded voter Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:49 pm
He has about the same chance as the other candidates running in this race. It’s very hard for me to place anyone at the top right now. There is no one heading out of the pack. Not even Jim Ryan who should have more name recognition statewide.

Comment by Levois Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Jim Ryan is a decent man. Im not sure the DEMs and Quinn want to remind everyone who Levine is. He will be taken seriously as he ought to be. The field is wide open and his demeanor and seriousness will be much more welcome in an election year where the voters will be more serious and looking for an adult to lead us out of this mess instead of 2002 when their hope was that Blago/Quinn would bring us change we could believe in. Should be interesting.

Comment by Cousin Ralph Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:59 pm
If there are 7 candidates, my foot might have a shot.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:03 pm
lol. jim ryan tweets about a former member of the Quinn adminstration:

Quinn aide resigns after probe revealed? Haven’t we had enough of this kind of news in IL: http://bit.ly/tZ1ZK #twill #ICOT #TCOT

but haven’t we had enough of wrongful convictions and overturned death penalty cases in illinois? the psychological and financial harm that has been to the people of illinois as a result of wrongful convictions erodes confidence in the criminal justice system, and burdens an already over-burdened state financially.

it was bad enough that jim ryan, as a state’s attorney, wanted to send the wrong people to death row once, but he tried again and again. now we, and the nicarico family, have to put up with an attention-seeking brian dugan constantly in the news complaining about his prison food and how he was mistreated as a boy etc.

if there is a mercififul God, he will make sure jim ryan does not win the republican primary.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:05 pm
Sure he could win. Some big obstacles to get around, but if he puts in the time, has lots of money, and at least offers reasonable ideas he has as good a chance as anyone else. Repubs seem to be eating their own nationwide. None of the other announced people seem to have a WOW effect that makes them an obvious choice and pushes out anyone else considering a run. Whoever wins is facing a brutal run during their term. Anyone who signs up has got to realize it ain’t gonna be fun. If Ryan thinks he has what it takes, go for it and build a base.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:12 pm
I’ve already seen feedback in the Trib saying the Ryan’s ex-wife Geri, of Star Trek fame…well, you get the picture. People either think he’s Jack or somehow related to George.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:13 pm
“if there is a mercififul God, he will make sure jim ryan does not win the republican primary”

You need to step back and take a deep breath.

Comment by Ohplease Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:13 pm
Doomed. The Stuart Levine connection should do him in. After all, there are less Republicans in Illinois which means the public isn’t so foregiving.

Comment by Steve Bartin Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:20 pm
The more candidates, the smaller the vote it will take to win. A 7-way race with no obvious frontrunner means it could be won with 25% or even 20% of the vote. I have to think Ryan will get a fifth of the vote.

Comment by reformer Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:20 pm
He can win the primary but he can’t win the general. He does probably improve Brady’s chances (again in the primary). Argh. Ryan/Topinka = Millstone/Albatross 2010 !

Comment by HoosierDaddy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:22 pm
A. His name is Ryan which may not be as big of a deal as it was in the past.
B. He lacks the charisma of say..Andy McKenna
C. Orlando/Rolando Cruz will always loom in the background.
D. Give it up, your time has passed.
E. Money will be an issue.

Perhaps he can take up boxing, get a Blago vs. JR payday at the Sears Center, Rosemont or UC and cash in.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:30 pm
8 2 L8
Eight years too late for Jim Ryan.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:31 pm
Segatari, know what? JBT isn’t running for governor. Sheesh.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:35 pm
I saw him at lunch with Dan Seals today. I think they were stategorizing.

Comment by Old Town Joe Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:36 pm
I don’t know that Ryan’s campaign is doomed, but I suspect Dillard’s and Schillerstrom’s just might be doomed with this announcement. Seems to me like this is exactly what Brady was hoping for.

Jim Ryan is a decent person, despite a few things that trouble me about his record and have been repeatedly mentioned above. I wish for his sake that he would stay out of politics. His move today doesn’t seem to be about advancing his campaign as much as it appears to be about stopping someone else’s.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:38 pm
Ryan can win.

He has to be a new, improved Jim Ryan, though, with a heckuva lot better campaign than we saw in 2002.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Unfortunetly he can win the Republican Primary because of name recognition alone I don’t think he has a shot in the general though…because of his name.

Comment by ahoy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:06 pm
No, He has no chance.

The GOP should have a 100 year moratorium on running anyone with Ryan in the name First, Last or Middle name!!!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:07 pm
I’m not sure the Ryan name is a detriment. Remember the poll that asked “who would you rather have,Ryan or Blagojevich?” Ryan won hands down. Will Ryan run with a campaign of “Let’s put Ryan back in”? Of course not but some voters may look at the ballot and think just that. I think he can win the primary but, likely not the general.

Comment by casual observer Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:08 pm
it will be hard for the Republicans to win on a campaign of new ideas when their leading candidates are retreads.

Moderate Republicans are being challenged by “conservative” party candidates in NY and elsewhere… who or what are the Republicans today, and is Jim Ryan a consensus leader of his own party? I really do not know.

It’s hard to appeal to the public as a New Era for Illinois politics when the old names and faces keep re-appearing. Jim Ryan should be asked to be a campaign advisor and perhaps Dept of Corrections Director should the Republicans win, but not be the focus of the race for Governor.

He might win the nomination — but is “doomed”.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 4:26 pm
We are sure jimRYAN will be a blockbuster candidate…Stuie L, Cruz, maybe a little Vondra-Hired Truck-Water Commission.
BTW besides the college has he made any $ anywhere that should be disclosed?
How do you spell cakewalk?
And what’s worst thing that could happen?
How do you spell PROFT-a-soarus?

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 4:54 pm
Many are saying he will lose because his name is Ryan. It angers me that people would vote against him simply because of his name. It angers me more that people are too ignorant to know he is not George Ryan or Jack Ryan for that matter.

Stupid electorate.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 5:07 pm
Jim Ryan = nice guy, out of the limelight too long, failed to speak out against George Ryan when he was attorney-general until everybody and their brother had already done so, Stuart Levine will be an albatross around his neck, etc.,etc.

Jim Ryan running for GOP governor would be like Laura Desmond wanting to do another picture with Cecil B. DeMille (aka. Sunset Boulevard). Like my grandpa used to say, “You have to know when to dance off of the stage before they use the big stage cane to pull you off.”

Comment by The Prophet Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 5:19 pm
“He does probably improve Brady’s chances (again in the primary).”

I agree with that, Jim Ryan just adds another candidate from the DuPage county area. Bill has solid base in central Illinois and he has been making some head ways into the collar and cook area.

Comment by RMW Stanford Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 5:29 pm
If the GOP wants to take back the Guvs mansion in 2010, then Jim Ryan is their best chance. He already has the name ID & that is a HUGE plus in a state this size, all of the other candidates lack name ID and will spend their entire election just getting their name out.

Jim Ryan was AG for 8 years, so he knows how to run a constitutional office. He is a proven strong leader who should be in his second term as Governor right now. AND Jim Ryan has the polling to back up his claim in the primary and general elections.

I personally find him to have amazing strength & character to even want to do this after everything his family has been through.

JIM 2010!!

Comment by scoot Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 6:55 pm
Not to mention..this campaign is barely a month old and in 3 weeks gathered 10,000 signatures for the petitions..have over 2,000 facebook fans, and the web/twitter page traffice is sky high.

Pretty impressive stuff if you ask me.

Comment by scoot Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 7:00 pm
Not doomed, but won’t win. I wish he’d seek a Washington office. I always thought he could have won a senate seat. He could still take whatever congressional seat is his (don’t know his district). Would certainly be nice to see him take back the 14th.

Comment by Bobs yer Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 7:40 pm
Jim Ryan may be the best republican to rise above the pack. He is a good man and has earned our trust (not saying he is perfect). Is his campaign doomed?
Who’s campaign isn’t doomed with that political juggernaut- Rich Whitney in the race? He will EASILY get 90+% of the vote in the general election!

Comment by Richard Afflis Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:34 pm
- IrishPirate - Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:26 pm:

He can win the primary. –And now that he’s in, I’m going to have to figure out who I can support in Republican Primary so I can vote and campaign against Jim Ryan.

As for “doomed” in the divine sense I don’t have an opinion. –Oh, I disagree, IP. I’m pretty sure he’ll have a lot of ’splaining to do to the Almighty for his actions with the Nicarico case.

Too much baggage. One thing I’ve never understood about virtually all prosecutors is the complete inability to admit that a mistake was made. –I have a wonderful friend who is the State’s Attorney for my county. The reason prosecutors can’t admit to mistakes is that it damages their self-image. If you make one mistake, what are the odds you have made another in a different case?

- Fan of the Game - Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:41 pm:

However, the ideas he put forth in the last election were sound. Imagine what our state might look like today had the people of Illinois chosen stodgy and solid over showy and stupid –and how many innocent people would have been executed from Death Row?

- reformer - Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:03 pm:

His reputation for integrity will help him overcome the baggage. –where does this reputation for integrity come from? It’s not a trait I associate with Jim Ryan or anyone else who’s come out of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.

If my friends and I can’t defeat him in the primary, we’ll just have to work harder to do that in the general.

Comment by Lynn S Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 1:04 am
Can he win? Absolutely. It’s not like the GOP has anyone out there who stands head and shoulders above the rest…..

Comment by howie Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 8:24 am
The word “integrity” is being tossed around a lot here by some. I suggest they consult their Webster’s as to the definition of the word.

Then, apply that definition to the actions of Ryan, Birkett and Burris in relation to the Nicarico case.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 10:13 am
fan of the game… if it makes you feel any better I know who Jim Ryan is, I interviewed him once in my former life as a journalist, and I am still going to vote against him in the primary.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 10:21 am
HoosierDaddy,

If you don’t agree with his ideals and principles, you should vote against him. My complaint wasn’t against people who disagree with his views. It was against people who would vote against him because they think he is someone else.

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 11:03 am
Probably won’t win in the primary.

1. Jim Ryan was never “charismatic” - how does he get traction in a 7 candidate field?

2. His DuPage base is divided up.

3. Not only is Stu Levine baggage for his campaign, but Levine was a critical fundraiser for Ryan, who never had a great statewide fundraising base. Without Levine, where does he get the money?

4. Ryan was able to get elected AG due in part to his careful cultivation of the pro-life movement. In his campaign for governor, he quite clearly distanced himself from this issue and its supporters as well as other socially conservative positions. A lot of activists remember that, so he probably now lacks a key element of his past support.

5. He is vulnerable on the left and the right making him an easy punching bag in a free for all primary.

6. As a postscript to 1 and 5, several candidates in this primary seem to have made it clear that they will not be shy about trashing oppponents — ergo, expect several of Ryan’s negatives to get heavy reference in the campaign.

7. What is the story with his cancer? No news report has said anything about it. His past opponents have said that he has been outright disingenuous about his condition in the past. Is that still the case?

8. Following up on 7, another point on which Ryan was clearly disingenuous was his attitude toward his last name. For years, when both he and George were in statewide office, Ryan repeatedly maintained that he had polling showing that the people of Illinois could clearly distinguish between him and George, despite the same last name. Despite maintaining this position for years, Ryan switched gears and complained on the eve of Blago’s victory over him that Illinois voters were confusing him with George Ryan. In my mind this is one of a few examples wherein Jim Ryan’s judgment on fairly important matters can be said to be suspect. Marry that with his stubbornness and unwillingness to adapt to changed circumstances, you have the makings of a very flawed candidate.

Comment by Conservative Republican Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 11:11 am