Ryan camp hangs tough as GOP brass plot his exit

[benburch]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/9006660.htm?1c

Posted on Thu, Jun. 24, 2004

Ryan camp hangs tough as GOP brass plot his exit
BY RICK PEARSON AND RUDOLPH BUSH
Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO - (KRT) - Anticipating a quick end to Jack Ryan's candidacy for the U.S. Senate, state Republican leaders on Thursday began looking ahead to replace him on the November ballot, with former State Board of Education chairman Ron Gidwitz emerging as the leading contender, several GOP sources said.

Though Ryan's campaign insisted the embattled Republican nominee would remain on the ballot, retiring U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., acknowledged that he and the candidate had discussed whether to stay in the race. Fitzgerald said he urged Ryan to fight on.

Meanwhile, GOP sources in Washington said Ryan's campaign had been seeking advice on a strategy for exiting the race as the Republican members of Illinois' House delegation, led by Speaker Dennis Hastert, met behind closed doors and agreed unanimously that Ryan should drop out.

Ryan also canceled a planned trip to Washington on Thursday where he was to appear with Fitzgerald, the man he hoped to replace. That also led to the cancellation of a fund-raiser that was to have been hosted by the head of the national Republican senate campaign committee.

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[PartyPooper]

1. Bye, bye!

:hi:

[madrchsod]

2. why in the hell did

they come up with "who the hell is this guy?" i don`t think the rethugs have the time to get this guy elected..otherwise they don`t have a clue about what to do and they can`t force ryan out...

[DaveSZ]

3. It's going to be nice having a real Dem in the Senate

:)

We need more of those.

http://www.obamaforillinois.com/

Breaking News

Obama to Give Weekly Democratic Radio Address

CHICAGO – State Senator Barack Obama (D-Chicago) Saturday will deliver the weekly Democratic Radio Address. The address will be broadcast on Saturday, June 26 at 11:00 AM ET.

The Democratic Radio Address is carried by most major radio networks, including AP, ABC, NPR, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, C-SPAN, Armed Forces Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network, and the Voice of America Radio Network.

[aquart]

4. Pleeeeeeeease don't get over-confident.

[Submariner]

5. "Stay the Course" Jack

Don't let these Libruls run you out. And if you ever need an audience to watch your ex Jeri doing the wild thing on stage, just drop a post here at DU and I'll oblige. :9

[struggle4progress]

6. It just makes one feel tingly all over to see Republicans fighting.

[dusty64]

7. Who is this

dimwitz guy?

[lil-petunia]

14. a bushie goon

His family used to own Helene Curtis cosmetics.

He does do some good things for museums and the arts, but is extremely conservative and supports shrub like a blood brother.

He'd get the most conservative base fired up, doesn't have too many skeletons in his closet and has been in the public eye before. Whether the moderates would go his way or not, that remains to be seen.

He ain't nowhere as pretty as Jack "Family Values" Ryan.

Latest press release - Ryan to "stay the course"

[Guaranteed]

8. Don't worry about it, Jack.

The people will understand. Don't let the naysayers getcha down!

[gatlingforme]

9. I hope he stays the course LOL I love it, I think Ryan should stick

with teaching kids family values. lol

[bushwakker]

10. Fight the good fight Jack

keep going my man.

[The Zanti Regent]

11. Stay in the race, Jack!

And take down La Hood, Hyde, Hastert and Crane with you!

[Frodo]

12. Who (if anyone) do they have to take his place?

I guess I'd rather run against Ryan and let him melt away.

Do they have any choice (filing deadlines etc.)?

And if there is another name being floated, what are his/her chances of making it a race again? Or is Obama now a shoe-in?

[hedda_foil]

13. Ron Gidwitz the rumored replacement???

That's hilarious. I went to high school with Gidwitz, a spoiled mega millionaire twerp whose family owned Helene Curtis cosmetics. He's learned to speak since those days, but he's got even less charisma than Fitzgerald, if that's possible. He's an ass with a lot of money, but a lot less attractive a candidate for the pugs than Ryan would have been if he didn't have that huge skeleton in his closet.