This is getting trumpeted in Illinois and all over the US as a "bombshell":
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Jack Ryan's ex-wife, TV actress Jeri Ryan, accused him of taking her to sex clubs in New York and Paris, where he tried to coerce her into having sex with him in front of strangers, according to records released Monday from the couple's California divorce file.
This isn't new information. Ryan's Republican opponents released this information during the Republican primary. But, being unconfirmed, the press essentially refused to run with it. I just find it curious that the story is now being treated as a new bombshell instead of what it really is -- the confirmation of months-old rumors.
Of course we do have a lot of new, juicy details that should set the press' heart a flutter. It'll be politically damaging to Jack Ryan with the wingers in his party and the few Illinois independents still open to Republicans. It might even teach Illinois Republicans to stay away from candidates named "Ryan". (Jack is the third Ryan in as many cycles, all of which have been disgraced.)
And yes, this is probably a boost to Obama, even though he really didn't need it.
However it's a relevant issue when the Party platform is about sexual abstinence, traditional family values and perpetuating the appearance of Christian righteousness above most other concerns.
The Republicans have moved the debate into the arena of sexuality, personal behavior and the family. Those who live by the sword die by it.
On the other hand, folks like Henry Hyde, Mark Kirk, Phil Crane, and the rest of the GOoPers in Illinois' congressional delegation skate by, because they've no bimbo eruptions. This issue may cement Obama's upcoming landslide through ticket-splitting, but it won't have the downticket effect that is produced by waging the political battles over visions of policy and governance.
On the other hand, Bush is still not on the Illinois ballot, it remains to be seen if the state legislature will push it through as part of resolving a pending budget crisis or whether the Illinois GOP will go to the courts to resolve it. A demoralized Republican electorate in Illinois could seriously jeopardize Rep. Phil Crane and other GOP congressional critters.
Melissa Bean is on the threshold of an upset here. In a good Rethug year, Crane only got 57% against Bean, and she is far better known this year, which means by itself Crane is looking at most 52% this year. If Rethugs stay home this fall, I think Crane is going to be thrown out. And it is about time, this is one of the most reactionary do-nothing pieces of shit in Congress. I think when it really comes down to it, we have almost a 50-50 chance of picking up this seat.
Another one that is less of chance but an even worse piece of garbage is Henry Hyde in the 6th District. The district itself went 53-45 for Bush in 2000, and Hyde was held to 59% by a no-namer. There is a decent candidate who was endorsed by the Dean Dozen, this is more of a longshot, but its not undoable. God it would be great to get rid of (Mr. Youthful Indiscretion) Henry Hyde.
