Indictment could cloud GOP hopes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Federal prosecutors paint an ugly picture of George Ryan's political machine -- state workers pressured to raise campaign money, investigators fired for looking into corruption, documents shredded to hide wrongdoing.

Yet a different Ryan could end up paying a stiff price -- Jim Ryan, the Republican candidate for governor.

Already stained by scandal, George Ryan decided last year not to seek another term as governor.

He is a lame duck with rock-bottom approval ratings from the public. His remaining power stems from a governor's control over spending and jobs, something that has not been changed by the latest indictments.

George Ryan's status in Springfield is unlikely to change unless he is personally brought up on criminal charges.

Jim Ryan and other GOP candidates, however, have a lot to lose.

Voters could hold them responsible for the problems of the current governor, a Republican. They could decide that after 25 years of GOP control, Democrats deserve a turn in the governor's office.

They might even decide that Jim Ryan bears personal responsibility for the scandal. As state attorney general, or so the argument goes, he could have investigated George Ryan before the U.S. attorney.

Rod Blagojevich, the Democratic candidate for governor, immediately raised that issue after the latest indictments were announced Tuesday. He called on Jim Ryan to release correspondence with George Ryan's office, return campaign contributions from George Ryan and explain why he did not investigate.

"This is what happens when you have one-party rule for 25 years -- a culture of corruption and a code of silence," Blagojevich campaign chairman David Wilhelm said.

Jim Ryan spokesman Dan Curry dismissed that as a "phony issue" and argued that increased voter concern about trustworthiness would work to Ryan's advantage.

"One factor is going to be who do they trust more," Curry said. "That's a battle ultimately Jim Ryan is going to win."

Not every Democrat went on the offensive, however.

The chairman of the state Democratic Party, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, declined to comment.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, said the indictments might not play a role in the fall elections.

"Given that George Ryan is not going to be on the ticket, I am not sure that it will have partisan repercussions," she said. "I personally hope that he is not so weakened that he is not able to continue to lead."

George Ryan, although he was not accused of wrongdoing, does not come out of the indictment unscathed.

Prosecutors allege widespread, long-term criminal activity. The public might conclude that Ryan either knew about the corruption or was so incompetent that he could not stop it.

Neither conclusion is the kind of legacy he wants.

Ryan also faces a painful financial penalty.

He has a $2.3 million campaign fund that can be used for personal expenses if he pays taxes on it, making a nice retirement nest egg. But the campaign organization could have to forfeit $1 million and pay $2 million in fines.

And there is always the possibility that Ryan will be indicted, too.

"Operation Safe Road" began by indicting low-level workers in Ryan's secretary of state office, moved up to his inspector general and now his chief of staff. The only step up would be Ryan himself.

"The investigation ... will continue to be vigorous," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald promised.

David Morrison, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform coordinator, said he hopes the scandal serves as "a clarion call" that arouses public indignation and forces change.

Politicians are not likely to change their own behavior, he said, no matter how many end up in scandals.

"This isn't the only time that we've seen this kind of thing," Morrison said. "Everyone hopes it won't happen to them -- that they can get their hand out of the cookie jar before they get caught."