WASHINGTON - Illinois senatorial candidate Jack Ryan abruptly abandoned his bid for Congress on Friday, succumbing to a furor over sex club allegations that horrified fellow Republicans and made him a target of late-night comedy.
"It's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race," said the 44-year-old Ryan, who won his party's nomination in a multi-candidate primary earlier this year.
"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."
Illinois GOP leaders expressed relief. "Jack Ryan made the right decision. I know it must have been a difficult one," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who made his feelings known by canceling a fund-raising event scheduled for Thursday with the senatorial hopeful.
Top Illinois Republicans held a teleconference to begin the work of selecting a successor to Ryan on the ballot this fall. Their choice will become an instant underdog in a campaign against Democratic State Sen. Barack Obama.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040625/ap_on_el_se/senate_scandal_26It is a shame this had to happen. Too bad Americans are so fixated on politician's sex lives. I don't care if he is a Republican or a Democrat, I don't like politicians dropping out of races for things that happen in their own bedroom.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(45 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
