Apr 18, 2006 10:17 pm US/Central
Former Gov. Edgar Weighs In On Ryan Verdict
by Jon Duncanson
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Former Gov. Jim Edgar is speaking out about the Ryan verdict.
And as CBS 2's Jon Duncanson reports, Edgar says both candidates for governor had better avoid using the verdict for low blows before the November election.
The question is whether the conclusion of Geroge Ryan's courtroom downfall marks the official raising of a season of mudslinging to come.
"What we saw with that verdict was a reminder that under Governor Ryan there was a culture of corruption," Blagojevich said at a Chicago high school.
Gov. Blagojevich tried Tuesday to link his Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka to the recently convicted George Ryan.
Topinka, on the other hand, charges that the current governor has plenty in common with the man who went down in court.
"The parallels," she said. "These little close groups of friends that are around that seem to get special attention."
Former Gov. Jim Edgar, a voice of partisan calm, is a Republican and a Topinka adviser.
Edgar and Ryan, though of the same party, were not especially close. Edgar says he believes Ryan is not Judy Baar Topinka's cross to bear.
"From a Republican point of view, I think we've paid the price already four years ago. That's why Rod Blagojevich got elected," Edgar said.
For her part, Topinka tried to distance herself from days when she danced with George Ryan, saying that was all just politics.
"You really don't have friends in politics. You have alliances," Topinka said. "George Ryan was nice to me on the campaign trial. I appreciated that. Everyone likes someone to be nice to them, but it was not a close, close relationship. I was not a social friend."
Meanwhile, Gov. Blagojevich is slinging a bit of mud himself and hoping some might stick. He implied that Topinka and others working with Ryan "didn't lift a finger, didn't raise their voices, didn't try to change anything."
With investigations underway into his own administration, it could be a risky ploy, especially considering slinging dirt means one has to be careful one's own hands don't get soiled.
As for Jim Edgar, he says if Gov. Blagojevich were to ask for his advice, Edgar would tell him making Ryan the issue would be a mistake.
Video Library:
Edgar: Blagojevich, Topinka Should Avoid Ryan Verdict In Campaign Death Penalty Moratorium Or Guilty Verdict Could Be Ryan Legacy From The Youngest To The Oldest, Jurors Share Insights Of Trial Topinka Quickly Distanced Herself From Ryan, Once Her Mentor Lawyers Complain Ryan Trial Judge Too Indecisive Broke? Ryan Says His Only Assets Are His Pension, Kankakee Home Tragic Crash, Whistleblower Set Ryan Investigation In Motion Ryan's Legal Road Is Far From Over After Verdict Dismissed Juror Said Jury Was Not Fair Or Impartial Ryan Trial Jury Has No Regrets About Verdict Suburban Woman Talks About Her Connection To George Ryan Dismissed Juror Says She Could Have Changed Ryan Trial Outcome Ryan, Warner Show Little Emotion During Verdict Ryan Defense Team Promises Appeal After Guilty Verdict Family Of 6 Children Killed In Fiery Crash Emotional About Verdict After Sentencing, What's Next For Former Gov. George Ryan? While Ryan Verdict Shocking To Some, Others Said It Was Expected Glimpse Inside The Minds Of The Jurors Who Decided Ryan's Fate A Sweeping, Surprise Verdict In The George Ryan Corruption Trial U.S. Atty. Fitzgerald And Prosecutor Collins Discuss Verdict Jurors Discuss Reaching The Ryan Verdict About The Ryan Jurors And What They Said Courtroom Sketches Capture Expressions Of Ryan, Jury Comments From The Ryan Trial Foreperson Little Emotion When Ryan Trial Guilty Verdict Announced Former Gov. Ryan Says He Will Appeal Guilty Verdict Ryan Sentencing Date Set For August Former Gov. Ryan Guilty On All Counts Willis Family Watches Closely For Ryan Verdict Waiting For The Ryan Verdict In The Courtroom Jon Duncanson On Gov. Ryan's Remarks About The Trial How Are The Jurors Dressed For The Verdict? Ryan And His Wife Enter Courtroom Ryan Trial Verdict Was A Long Time Coming Former Gov. Ryan Arrives At Courthouse A Look At The Jury Deciding Fate Of Ryan, Warner Recap Of Charges Against Former Gov. George Ryan Mike Flannery On Waiting For The Ryan Verdict Breaking News: Jury Reaches Verdict In Ryan Trial
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