June 2004

Leader Correction Watch Day 1

I should have started this yesterday, but I’m curious how long it will take the Leader to issue a correction to Jill Stanek’s column regarding Jack!’s files.

She states:

Sorry, the custody records have always been sealed, until Monday, June 21. Also contrary to another rumor, there are no unredacted versions out there.

This is flat out false. The records were open for almost a year. In addition, there is strong evidence that there is an unredacted version out there.

When will the Leader issue a correction?

Credit Where Credit Is Due

I gave credit to the Illinois Leader for publishing the full talking points the other day, Fran Eaton comments on them

We also provided the raw, unedited version of the Ryan campaign?s distributed talking points. Frankly, I thought several points made were weak and embarrassing attempts to point attention away from the candidate and his culpability for the situation he found himself in. But we trusted our readers to make their own decision.

I think that was an excellent choice and good for the Leader.

Hotline Says—He’s Out

Sources close to ex-teacher/ex-Goldman Sachs exec. Jack Ryan (R) tell The Hotline that the candidate will announce his withdrawal from the race this afternoon. With virtually no internal support from the IL GOP leadership, Ryan had no choice. Members of the GOP exec. cmte will likely tout IL Board of Ed. member Ronald Gidwitz as Ryan’s replacement on the ballot against state Sen. Barack Obama (D).
Ryan’s formal announcement will happen after he finishes making calls to family, friends and supporters (Hotline reporting, 6/25).

Let the scrum begin.

Update: WGN is going to carry his announcement live.

UPDATE 2: Leader reports conservative conference call at 1:30, Jack’s public comments at 2:30. May or may not be accurate.

UPDATE: No speech, but perhaps a statement. I missed Science Friday for this?

It’s the Trib’s Fault

His statement is up at the Leader.

Thirteen months ago, I announced my determination to seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. I entered this race because I love my country and my home state of Illinois – and because I believe that one man, living for purposes larger than himself, can make a difference.

“The media has gotten out of control. The fact that the Chicago Tribune sues for access to sealed custody documents and then takes unto itself the right to publish details of a custody dispute – over the objections of two parents who agree that the re-airing of their arguments will hurt their ability to co-parent their child and will hurt their child – is truly outrageous.

“The debate between competing visions and philosophies is a vital one – one the voters of Illinois absolutely deserve. Elections, after all, are about choices. But it’s clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race.

“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.

“Accordingly, I am today withdrawing from the race.

“To the 234,000 Republican voters who cast a ballot for me in March, to the thousands of supporters and volunteers who have invested in our campaign the two most precious resources they have – their time and their money – I say thank you. I will never be able to properly express the depth of my gratitude for the trust you placed in me.”

Or it’s the Republican Party’s fault.

Not, I gambled and lost.