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GOP told thanks, but no thanks
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Race
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| Contributor | None Entered |
| Last Edited | None Entered Jul 10, 2004 01:33pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - Chicago Tribune |
| News Date | Friday, July 9, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger took himself out of the running Thursday for consideration to replace Jack Ryan as the Republican U.S. Senate nominee, leaving GOP leaders scrambling for an alternative candidate to avoid tapping controversial boutique dairy owner James D. Oberweis.
Rauschenberger, a veteran lawmaker from Elgin, said money was the primary issue.
Lacking the personal wealth to self-finance a campaign, Rauschenberger said the failure of GOP officials to deliver a $3 million to $5 million financial plan would render it difficult to launch a campaign from scratch against Democratic nominee Barack Obama with less than four months to Election Day.
"Any candidate will have a harder time trying to make it from a standing start," Rauschenberger said.
Rauschenberger's decision was another setback for a state Republican organization in disarray for four years, its credibility tarnished by the scandal-clouded leadership of former Gov. George Ryan, who faces federal corruption charges.
Jack Ryan, who is no relation to George Ryan, was looked on by many Republicans as an energetic new face who could aid GOP rebuilding efforts. He won an eight-way race in the March 16 Senate primary, but then last month said he would withdraw amid controversy over the court-ordered release of sealed files from his divorce from actress Jeri Ryan. |
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