Replacing Jack!

Now that it appears that Jack! is "exploring an exit strategy", the question arises:

"Who will the GOP replace Ryan with on the ballot?"

Archpundit examines many of the potential candidates, but overlooks the obvious choice for the Republicans.

The GOP's ideal candidate to run against Barack Obama will have to possess certain qualities:

1. He will need to have a history as a legislator to match up with Obama's stellar career as a lawmaker;
2. He will need to be willing to enter a race where he has almost no chance of winning;
3. He will need to have that special "something" that allows him to win a race where he is the clear underdog...

Fortunately for the Illinois Republicans, such a man does exist:









The Hon. Michael P. Flanagan

1. Flanagan represented the 5th District of Illinois in the 104th Congress.
2. Flanagan decided to enter a long-shot race against an 18-term Congressman -- the then-Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee -- during a game of darts with friends at a North Side saloon
3. Despite overwhelming odds, Flanagan -- with some aid from a 17-count federal indictment against his opponent -- was able to vanquish his powerful foe.

I just hope that, for the sake of the Republican party in Illinois, Mr. Flanagan will answer Judy Baar Topinka's inevitable call.