DISQUS

Jake From Elwood · 2 years ago

Is it that surprising that the public believes that the known Ryan corruption will in time be grossly overshadowed by the Blagojevich corruption--both known and unknown? I am not surprised by this poll.

A Citizen · 2 years ago

I'm amazed at how many votes blags is getting - what with his abominable poll numbers and childish antics!

steve schnorf · 2 years ago

I'm interested by the fact that Decatur is a union town, though mainly blue-collar unions.

Esteban · 2 years ago

Rumor has it that the Blago supporters
actually voted twice......

Angry Chicagoan · 2 years ago

Everyone's come to the point where corruption is an assumed starting point for Illinois politicians. So, controlling for corruption, who is the better governor? Pretty easy if you ask me.

Esteban · 2 years ago

Blago actually managed to lose Macon County
to Topinka if I remember correctly.

Territory Ahead · 2 years ago

Blagojevich's state sponsored censorship of the truth will eventually become crystal clear.
TIME is on the People's side.

Secondhand Bookworm · 2 years ago

Decatur is Democratic enough to have been rather painfully gerrymandered into the 17th Congressional District (look at any map of the Ill. congressional districts). However, I'm sure the H&R circulation area also covers a lot of rural, GOP leaning areas. Not to mention there are probably many state workers commuting to Springfield from the western reaches of Macon County.

Shelbyville · 2 years ago

You could also ask: Which one would you let babysit you child?

Which one would you buy a car from?

And the one that my father always judged a man by "Which one would you want in your fox hole?"

George George George

SpfldPolitico · 2 years ago

I think its funny how many people are complaining about Blago even though most of them are the ones that voter for him over JBT. Now we are all stuck with him. Good job voters of IL! JBT would have made a great governor and our state would not be in the mess its in now because she would have been direct and hardnosed on the budget issues and a resolution would have came about. She would have been a GOP governor with Democratic legislature and i guarantee she would have put a budget deal together before an overtime session even began, let alone ran this late. Again, great job IL voters! you really showed your ignorance when you elected him the first time(even though Jim Ryan was a horrible choice on the GOP side I know), and then showed your denial when you elected him a second time.

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

===I think its funny how many people are complaining about Blago even though most of them are the ones that voter for him over JBT===

I'm not sure that's true, but I do think that most of the complainers here about George Ryan are Republicans.

Undercover · 2 years ago

Not surprising in the slightest! As time wears on, people tend to forget the foibles of corrupt politicians. Blagojevich is in our face, wreaking havoc at the moment. Plus, the bravado and arrogance he displays so openly is more annoying than anything George Ryan ever did.

The Nam · 2 years ago

One thing is certain, I wouldn't of wanted Rod Blagojevich anywhere near me in Vietnam. Good thing he was to young to be drafted.

L.S. · 2 years ago

Blago is losing by 140 votes to a guy who is going to prison with the memory of a preist's dead children haunting him.

Bankman · 2 years ago

A very good example that we need a third alternative

NONE OF THE ABOVE

S. Illinois · 2 years ago

Within the first couple weeks of the Blagojevich administration I had the Who line running through my head, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." The difference I noticed at the time was that Ryan was a crook, but he was a smart crook. Blago is a dim bulb and much more dangerous.

Shelbyville · 2 years ago

I thought of another one: Which one would you rather see in prison?

What can I say? · 2 years ago

Even if they are both equally as guilty of corruption, which remains to be seen, at least Ryan was able to manage government, budgets, etc. He was also able to work WITH members of the legislature, not against them.

Crimefighter · 2 years ago

Uhhhh...that poll should have had Judy Baar's name instead of George's.

BigDog · 2 years ago

I'd like to see a similar poll with the added options of Judy Baar Topinka and Paul Vallas. Not that I'd need to see the results - the best choice is obvious and was the cause of this traditional Republican to register as a Dem for the first time ever in the 2002 primary. If only more had seen the wisdom of my ways...

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

BigDog, if George is beating him, I figure just about anyone is - at least on that nonscientific reader survey.

winco · 2 years ago

This is a dumb idea. You could also ask: Who would you rather have as governor of Illinois, Dick Cheney or Rod Blagojevich? And the results would be the same. Kim Jong Il or Rod Blagojevich? The results would be about the same. etc.

It is a nice way to try to send a message to Blago that the people are not happy with his "leadership," but if it came down to it, that is not how the vote would be.

We all know it is the most unscientific "poll" there is, so I hope people don't really think that is how such an election would actually turn out.

Levois · 2 years ago

We did have our chance last year to not vote for him again and we fell for it. Unfortunately.

Doodles · 2 years ago

Most probably figured that, even with Ryan locked up in a Wisconsin prison, he'd spend about as much time in Springfield over the next 3-4 years as Blagojevich will.

VanillaMan · 2 years ago

This is merely the confirmation of an unfortunate truth: Voters prefer competent crooks over incompetent ones.

WhatChaHiden' Rod? · 2 years ago

Maybe Illinois will get a huge Christmas present this year, when Governor Blagojevich frees up all those secret federal subpoenas that haven't done Illinois or anyone any harm.

312 · 2 years ago

Wow, now it's 61% Ryan to 39% Rod. Wonder if an email went out to all the state employees telling them to participate if they want their paychecks on time...

Yellow Dog Democrat · 2 years ago

A better question is to ask Democrats, knowing what they know now, if they would have voted for:

- Rod Blagojevich
- Roland Burris
- Edwin Eisendrath
- Paul Vallas

I bet Vallas wins that one.

Jaded · 2 years ago

People really don't like either one, so it is like a guy torturing you asking you which little toe he should cut off first. You have to give an answer, but you know there is really no good answer.

George was about 10 times the legislator, governor, and leader that Blagojevich is/was, but that is not why he is leading. He is leading because folks are sick and tired of the current guy, so anybody looks better by comparison.

Gucci Dreams · 2 years ago

Wonder if that fashion plate Rod could beat any cartoon characters?

Jaded · 2 years ago

Oh, by the way, I just voted for Ryan.

GettingJonesed · 2 years ago

Here is the latest at quitting time
Knowing what we know now, which one would you vote for in a governor’s race?
George Ryan (460 Votes, 60%)
Rod Blagojevich (302 Votes, 40%)

A Citizen · 2 years ago

Out of all the hundreds of thousands or million who voted for blags last election ONLY 302 would do so now. What a downfall . . . shameful!

anonymous · 2 years ago

If we make the praise or blame of others the rule of our conduct, we shall be distracted by a boundless variety of irreconcilable judgments, be held in perpetual suspense between contrary impulses, and consult forever without determination.
— Samuel Johnson: Rambler #23

A Citizen · 2 years ago

- anonymous -
I surmise that quote means gov is a loser - like the poll said! Guv doesn't even have enough staff left in the area to load up the "poll". Sad, very sad.

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

The margin is closing somewhat.

A Citizen · 2 years ago

Rich, they vote once at the state computer then again at home/hotel. Just halve the number. But either way, there just are so few votes for blags! Maybe the poll is just not an attention grabber? Just seems a low turnout.

JakeCP · 2 years ago

Haha I truly am not surprised. Seeing that I was too young to really remember Ryan, I can't really form an opinion of his actions as governor. However after reading the comments I believe I would've preferred him over Blagojevich any day!

9:05 pm · 2 years ago

Since Rich posted this at 11:13, Blago has won the vote, 313 to 243. But it hasn't been enough to overcome George's early lead. George is still ahead, 53% to 47% (which is almost Blago's percent of the popular vote in 2006, isn't it?)

Gregor · 2 years ago

Don't blame me, I voted for "close this window". I think he was the Green party candidate...

Captain America · 2 years ago

I agree with the previous bloggers that the primary issue reflected in this tongue-in-cheek poll is competence versus incompetence. Ryan was a competent politician/Governor who happened to be a crook. After his dismal performance since his reelection, Blago is widely perceived as an incompetent and political irrational Governor who may be a crook. Given a choice between a competent crook and an incompetent,widely perceived as dishonest, they voted for Ryan.

Recent Numbers · 2 years ago

Knowing what we know now, which one would you vote for in a governors race?

George Ryan (620 Votes, 48%)

Rod Blagojevich (666 Votes, 52%)

Another bad poll done by another bad paper.
Is this the same 1200 that voted in the Tibunes dumb poll?

anonymous · 2 years ago

A Citizen,
you didn't read that quote correctly. You need Cliff Notes