Suburban Chicago's largest newspaper, the Daily Herald, has endorsed Republican Jim Ryan for governor. Over the years, we have used those very words - innovative, impeccable and courageous - to describe one of the candidates in the seven-way race for the Republican nomination for governor. And we believe they continue to apply to former Attorney General Jim Ryan today.
He has sat out of the political arena for two terms following his 2002 loss to Rod Blagojevich for the governor's office. We have no doubt Illinois would be in better shape today if Ryan would have won. But we are not here to rehash the past. With incomprehensible debt, billions in unpaid obligations, corruption that has made the state a laughing stock and the worst economic downturn of modern times, we focus on the present and look to the future.
Ryan entered this race late, as a surprise to many who probably assumed he was happy to spend his days teaching a new generation of political hopefuls at Benedictine University's Center of Civic Leadership and Public Service. Ryan, however, says he felt compelled to get back into the game because he's angry about what he sees, particularly because too many of the young people he teaches are disillusioned by Illinois' political example.
While other candidates in this race speak in sound bites about holding the line on taxes or making politicians angry by refusing spending requests, Ryan takes a measured approach, saying the budget can be fixed by employing "patience, political courage and creativity." He opposes an income tax hike. But he also has not signed a strict anti-tax pledge.
Related posts:
Northwest Herald endorses Jim Ryan for governor
Marathon Pundit endorses Jim Ryan for Illinois governor
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1 comment:
I have concerns about Ryan.
1. Ryan has never held a private sector job, specifically in business. I have no problem if an attorney wants to remain an attorney (e.g., Attorney General). But how can a man with little or no private sector business experience, how can he run a state?
2. The Cruz-Hernandez case is still a sour point for me. I, as a high school student when it happened, knew something didn't add up. From all accounts, Cruz was not saint but when the lead investigator (John Sam) steps down because he wouldn't listen, red flags popped up. Ryan was ready to plea bargain with Brian Dugan but put Cruz and Hernandez to death. Burkett wasn't involved with this case until the sentencing phase and he's paying indirectly for this.
Right now, I'm leaning toward McKenna but still am willing to listen.
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