Blagojevich: Bush Should Pardon Former Governor Ryan

Gov. Blagojevich, who for years has blasted corruption under his predecessor, George Ryan, said Thursday "it would be a good decision" for President Bush to let the 74-year-old Ryan out of prison early.

"I always err on the side of compassion," Blagojevich said during a Thanksgiving visit to the Chicago Christian Industrial League on the West Side.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, said Ryan, a Republican, has already served a significant amount of time behind bars.

"I think people make mistakes. George Ryan has paid a significant price for those mistakes. And if President Bush makes that decision, I think it would be a fine decision," Blagojevich explained. "He's a man well into his 70s. Mrs. Ryan is in her 70s and in frail health.

"So if the president makes that decision, I think it would be a good decision."

Ryan, imprisoned in Terre Haute, Ind., began serving a six-year sentence in November 2007 after his federal racketeering and fraud conviction.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[DuPageDem]

"I always err on the side of compassion," Blagojevich said. He got the first three words right. He wouldn't know a good idea if it hit him on the hair helmet.

[AmbivalentGuy]

Illinois - where the politics stink worse than the pig farms.
Ryan was better governor - and corrupt, that's SOP here.

Blago's proof that we still make good tools in the midwest.

For non-Illinois residents - here's an example of his thinking:
The Lincoln Birth Bicentennial is coming up, the state just
finished a fantastic Lincoln center, and now Blago wants to
close down the parks/historic sites associated with Lincoln
as a budget saving device.

[mec57]

Hmmm...is Blago hoping his own a-- will be saved???

[Tinsdale]

"Blagojevich, a Democrat, said Ryan, a Republican, has already served a significant amount of time behind bars." This is sheer Blago-babble. For the record, Mr Ryan began serving his sentence a year ago.

Why isn't this surprising? Based on the massing clouds over Mr.Blagojevich's "Faux JFK" hairdo, he may be seeing himself joining the infamous conga line of llinois Governors who were invited to join the fun at Club Fed.

[VOTER]

Please!

As a very unpopular Governor, Blagojevich is surely not helping himself
with his comments supporting commutation of George Ryan's sentence.
All he has done is make citizens suspect him of wrong doings not yet
unearthed. Duh!

DO THE CRIME THEN YOU DO THE TIME!

If anything, pols should be given longer sentences for their
wrong doings. They should, also, lose their retirement and compensation
packages and should forever be addressed by all as, Felons.
Felon George Ryan...........

ENOUGH!

[mamadeus]

NO PARDON FOR RYAN. These crooks ran Illinois into the ground. It would show poor judgement if Ryan or any other politician gets off. Durbin is really over the edge calling for his release also.

[mec57]

Illinois and New Jersey...where crooks and politicos go hand in hand...
Here in NJ, we know what corrupt pols are all about...a Jersey pol not on the take? Impossible to find these days...sounds like Illinois has the same problem.
Sounds to me like Blago needs to firme la bouche!

[BSERIUS]

Georg Lyin Ryan has shown no remorse for his license for bribes scandal that cost the Willis children their lives in a fiery incineration of a minivan ......

[Rog49Thomas]

I'll bet "Gov" Ryan is doing really "hard time".

Instead of pardoning him, let Chuck Colson come and comfort him.

[moAb]

Sure Blago wants Ryan pardoned. The precedent couldn't hurt in case he gets cuffs and his own sentence once out of office.

[Tinsdale]

Exactly!

[mec57]

LOL...he's trying to cover his own a--...
Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to work for him...
Illinoisians, see that Blago does the time he should for being another corrupt pol.

[easarsfield]

"pardon him, and then pardon me!"

I feel for Ryan, especially given his age, but politicians should never be pardoned. He completely betrayed the people that he worked for - the citizens of Illinois. Maybe if he is forced to serve his sentence, current politicians will think twice before breaking the rules.

[mec57]

So many of them feel that they are above the law...witness our current and soon to be GONE (God help us!) President...Spitzer gets off easy when his skeezy a-- should be behind bars.