Family Ties: The Jack Ryan Story
As you know, GOP sachems are hewing to the official line on swingin' Jack Ryan: They still back him, and they say the race should be decided on "issues," not sexual peccadilloes. That argument seemsso familiar. . . can't quite place it. In any case: Issues. Fine. Several Wonkette readers wrote in to suggest what issues Ryan might want avoid, like, say, "the defense of marriage."
Ryan's website offers these platitudes on the subject:
The breakdown of the family over the past 35 years is one of the root causes of some of our society's most intractable social problems--criminal activity, illegitimacy, and the cyclical nature of poverty.
As an elected leader, my interest will be in promoting laws and educating people about the fundamental importance of the traditional family unit as the nucleus of our society.
Observes one reader: "Clearly, the trips to the New York and Paris sex clubs fall under the category of 'educating people,' though I am puzzled as to why he feels it necessary to start an outreach program in France."
Wonkette's Heartland correspondent has a slightly different take. He notes that Ryan, whatever he did do, did not cheat on his wife. This makes all the difference: "My cousins in Illinois say they can tolerate an exhibitionist. . . but wife swapping, they say, is the province of their mayor."
Jack Ryan on the Defense of Marriage [JackRyan.2004]
Illinois Senate Race: Well, Someone Is Sure Getting Whipped Now [Wonkette]