Ill. gov. candidate Jim Ryan’s kickoff shadowed by Rezko figure
Ryan
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - After seven years out of state politics, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan formally announced his campaign for governor outside the state Capitol a short time ago–and promptly reminded us that the debris from impeached Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s downfall has been scattered far and wide, even hitting an old nemesis from the opposing party.
Ryan, a Republican, ran for governor in 2002 and lost to Blagojevich that year. Ryan’s return to the political arena in the past few weeks has been greeted with a barrage of news coverage that’s got to make him the envy of the other Republicans running. (Sorry guys, but the fact is, he steps into a very crowded field as the only Republican who has won statewide office before.)
But if the announcement event just now was any indication, that advantage may be getting overshadowed by the issue of Ryan’s long friendship with, and financial connections to, GOP insider Stuart Levine, who was convicted of federal money laundering charges for his ties to Blagojevich fixer Antoin “Tony” Rezko.
Levine has testified that he and Rezko worked together to fleece investment firms that wanted to do business with the state, using their Blago connections as leverage. Levine also admitted to leading a double life steeped in drugs.
Levine was close friends with Ryan since law school, had Ryan stand up at his wedding, and would go on to become Ryan’s biggest political contributor, giving him more than $700,000 over the years.
“I don’t have any relationship with him anymore . . . The only Stu Levine I knew and had any association with was a good person,” Ryan said at the Springfield event this morning, fielding numerous questions from reporters about the issue. “ . . . What are you supposed to do when you don’t know? He led a secret life.”
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It really is amazing how the long shadow of Blagojevich, Rezko & Co. continues to reach over the state’s current and aspiring leaders. This poison is everywhere, and it’s strong stuff. In addition to Ryan’s latest problems, the run-down:
- Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, running for a full term, is battling the detractors from both parties who are trying to link him to Blagojevich, by virtue of having been Blago’s lieutenant governor. (In Illinois, it’s not really analogous to the vice-president’s relationship with the president, as some would have you believe, but you’ll be hearing a lot about it anyway.)
- U.S. Democratic Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson’s campaign has yet to catch fire, and the fact that she was Blagojevich’s press secretary can’t be helping there.
- Fellow Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias has had to tamp down questions about the relationship between his family’s banking business and Rezko.
- And, of course, the previous occupant of that Senate seat, President Barack Obama, had to navigate his own past connections to Rezko on his way to the White House.
I don’t recall the PD having a problem when our Community-Organizer-in-Chief was carousing with Rezko. Or that he still is with Ayres and Rev. Wright visiting the WH.
Although I’m sure it will make no difference to Bryan, it has been widely reported that the William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright whose names appear among the 451 names of visitors to the White House are not the William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright who featured so prominently in the failed GOP smear campaign against President Obama last year. The records also show that these individuals, whoever they are, were on group tours arranged by the White House Visitor’s Office. I think one visit was to the OEOB, not the White House proper. They weren’t there to meet POTUS or FLOTUS, or indeed anyone of consequence. Again, those are the facts, but by all means let your hatred and suspicion run free . . .
So Hwkeye, why is Rezko an issue with Ryan when he wasn’t an issue with Obama?
Even the most ardent Obama supporter has to admit that the Rezko-Obama relationship was fishy.
Widely reported on the sites you troll, Hwkeye. Also, the “group tours” you speak of could also have been WH get-together’s. Let’s not let the facts get in the way, “hater”. I see you didn’t address the Rezko association with the patented smear.
By the way, you know nothing about what makes no difference to me. But I can tell something about you. You’re willing to follow your messiah into the abyss no matter what by accepting anything his guys say as fact. I never will do that with a Republican or Democrat in the WH. That’s why I pointed out that the PD didn’t cover the Rezko tie when Obama was running, but they’re already starting on the Republican with similar ties.
It seems somebody who chose the name “Hwkeye” ought to at least be able to look at both sides of the issues. I can see the irony if he were antiwar or an Ohio State fan. Maybe he should have chosen “Walleye”, as in vision.
Thanks for proving my point, Bryan, that facts broadcast by news organizations like ABC and CBS would make no difference to you. By the way, in case you missed it while locked in your bizarre rage, I never said that I was untroubled by the relationship between then-Senator Obama and Mr. Rezko. In fact, I was troubled by it, but as no credible evidence emerged that Obama abused his official position to benefit Rezko, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I am also willing to do the same for former Attorney General Ryan, if the facts lead me to a similar conclusion. That’s what reasonable people do.
Bizarre rage? Keep touting today’s talking points, Hwk. You’ll see the rage in November 2010.
Yeah, Hwkeye, go ahead and keep on trusting the status quo with these politicians….you will get the EXACT same government you have always gotten. “The benefit of the doubt”, indeed. Funny, they consider you a “useful idiot”, a shill for them.
The one clean Illinois politician left for Washington.Now voters must deal with the refuse left behind.
If one thinks Rezko retains the title of most egregious offender,they evidently don’t know much about Illinois.They seem to have a large mine full of corruption.Most of the former governors have a prison term on their resume.
Most private employers would fear hiring any of them.
This is why Adam Andrzejewski should be governor! Check out http://www.adamforillinois.com for a breath of fresh air with no such political ties and yet very comprehensive pro-growth plan for all sectors of the economy, education, healthcare, etc.