A bright federal ribbon is tightening around former Gov. George Ryan.
And here’s hoping that the Bush Justice Department finishes wrapping all its Christmas presents for the people of Illinois.
But even as Illinois Republican officials wondered what would become of their party if Ryan–who has not been charged but is under federal investigation–is ever indicted, they bravely made with the holiday cheer.
Many gathered Tuesday night for the festivities thrown by Ryan’s friend and adviser former Republican U.S. Atty. and Gov. Big Jim Thompson, the boss of the giant law firm Win$ton & $trawn.
Raw politics and federal grand juries investigating politicians makes me hungry and thirsty. And with Win$ton & $trawn providing refreshments, my needs were simple:
A good Scotch and some George Ryan on toast shaped into Illinois license plates sure would have been nice.
But it would have been rude to ask for George on toast; or George on a stick; minced George wrapped in tiny phyllo dough triangles; or smoked George on a “commercial driver’s license” cracker, with the words “Nobel Peace Prize Winner!” spelled out in capers.
As a guest, I didn’t ask any impolite questions, since I’d earlier asked them on the phone, of senior Republicans on the following subject:
If George Ryan is indicted, how will it affect the Republican Party in Illinois?
And how does the Illinois Republican Party rebuild itself after years of corruption, imprisonment of top operatives, and decades of big deals and pork and tax and spending sprees that would raise a blush on a yellow dog from Arkansas?
“I don’t know what is going to happen with George,” said U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).
“It seems to be more peeling of the onion,” Hastert said. “It’s been going on now for years. It was in the past and, politically, it hurt the party. And until this thing gets settled, its going to bubble up again and again, and there will be some kind of recriminations.
“But the party has to rise up and move forward,” Hastert said. “And there are people already doing this. There are good folks running for office. Changes have been made. We’ve just got to get our story out.”
For one thing, the DuPage County Republicans James “Pate” Phillip and Lee Daniels are no longer bosses in the legislature.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross, the Oswego Republican, has taken over leadership there. And state Sen. Minority Leader Frank Watson of Greenville is focusing on Republican principles that were abandoned by the tax-and-spend Ryan-Thompson clique.
“What’s happening with Ryan hurts the party, no doubt about it,” Watson said. “But the old guard has been swept away, and there’s a new generation of Republicans stepping forward.
“Less taxes, smaller government and fiscal responsibility are the issues that separate us from the Democrats,” Watson said. “But we do have to get our message across.”
That has been difficult when the words “Republican” and “indictment” are linked.
This isn’t merely about the usual Illinois political shenanigans and bribes.
Six children were burned to death on the highway, the result of a crash involving the rig of an unqualified, bribe-paying truck driver, who received his license through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office when Ryan ran things there.
Through his 1998 election, Ryan insisted that the driver did not pay bribes, even though senior managers in his office figured differently.
Republicans supported Ryan and lost their credibility. Now Chicago Democrats run Illinois, from the General Assembly to all the top statewide offices except for state treasurer.
One Republican who might change things is state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, the Elgin conservative campaigning for U.S. Senate.
Rauschenberger did not curry favor with the Ryan-Daley combine while in the state legislature. For his legislative stands, he was barred from the Ryan governor’s mansion. And two top Ryan henchmen–Don Udstuen and Roger “The Hog” Stanley–targeted Rauschenberger for political extinction.
Stanley and Udstuen have been indicted and are now cooperating with the feds. Having the Ryan-Stanley-Udstuen crowd as his enemies is a badge of honor for Rauschenberger.
“No doubt about it, if Ryan is indicted, it will be a black eye for the party,” he said. “But most of the people at George’s right hand are on their way to a federal country club or have moved on. Instead of being under the shadow of the dealmakers, the party is up for grabs, and that’s good. We’re still in the process of purging the George Ryan infrastructure.”
Sooner or later, probably sooner, the Ryan business will be wrapped up.
A nice shiny bow would be nice.
jskass@tribune.com
