A Seat at the Table

Archive for December 2nd, 2008

Dems back Ryan; Republicans don’t

1 comment December 2nd, 2008

You’ve read on these posts that high-powered Democrats Dick Durbin and Rod Blagojevich favored clemency for former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican.

Today I received this release from state Sen. Dave Syverson’s office:

Senator Dave Syverson Endorses Statement

from Illinois Republican Party

Statement from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna on recent statements from Illinois Democrats supporting the commutation of the George Ryan sentence: “This issue is not one of party, but of bringing real change to Illinois.

“My heart goes out to Mrs. Ryan and her family during this difficult time, however, Governor Ryan was convicted in federal court by a jury of his peers and all of his appeals, including one to the U.S. Supreme Court, were denied.

“A commutation of Governor Ryan’s sentence sends the wrong message to not only those who betray the public trust but also to the honest, hardworking men and women of Illinois who expect public corruption will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

“Senator Durbin and Governor Blagojevich’s line of thinking only contributes to the difficult task of bringing change to Illinois.”

More on George Ryan

Add comment December 2nd, 2008

The Illinois newspapers I read are 100 percent against leniency for former Gov. George Ryan. I liked this sentence in the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette, a newspaper I worked for many years ago. “If Blagojevich says commuting Ryan’s sentence is a good idea, it surely must be a terrible idea.”

Read the full editorial HERE. 

We said Ryan should stay in jail Sunday.  Today the Tribune, Sun-Times and Daily Herald had their say.

Polls by the Sun-Times and Tribune showed that 80 percent of the folks who responded thought Ryan should stay in jail.

Despite all that, Dick Durbin wrote a letter to President Bush asking the president to commute Ryan’s sentence.

As I posted yesterday, I think the president will not only commute Ryan’s sentence, but grant him a pardon. I don;t think we’ll have to wait long to see the president’s decision.