How a 'Star Trek' actress changed the course of history

eric Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 01:23 PM EST

that's a fun post.

Marc Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

The scandal didn't change anything. Ryan was behind in the polls and he had no chance of beating Obama.

komnik* Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

All I can say is Jeri Ryan is hot.

Megan Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 11:36 AM EST

Another Illinoisan here, and you've only NOW caught on to this?! This was a huge scandal when it came out. The GOP in Illinois was imploding before this, and then the divorce records were unsealed. THEN the IL GOP got carpetbagger Alan Keyes to take the nomination. I was always an Obama supporter (got to hear him speak the day after he got the Senate nomination), and I remember that it was close. Plus, I think having the last name of Ryan didn't help (fmr. governor George Ryan had been indicted on corruption/rackateering charges). Oy.
But, you are right about the Borg being all-powerful. My geekier friends in college joked about the Borg taking down the campaign.

Cynthia Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM EST

Obama was already ahead of Ryan even before the allegations. Finding out the GOP candidate was superkinky couldn't have hurt his campaign, though IMHO Ryan really dug his own grave when he tried to explain that he was there with his wife, so, of course, that makes it okay with God. Yeah, the Yahweh of the Old Testament is totally down with sex clubs.

orville Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 08:28 AM EST

Another Chicagoland poster here. I completely forgot about this. Ryan did have a pretty strong campaign going before this scandal hit. Obama should, at the very least, send her some flowers when she has her baby in a few months.

lola Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 09:53 PM EST

Marvelously convoluted.

--read my blog at http://fashionpoirot.blogpspot.com

Broadway Baby Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 04:33 PM EST

Oh those Borg have no sense of humor

TheBookPolice Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 04:15 PM EST

Also goes to show you: don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Don't pressure your already-hot wife to have public sex. She will leave your ass.
...JACK.

2Cents the Politico Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 03:17 PM EST

Sad but very true. As a girl from the Southside, I too remember the Obama the early years ( oh wait that's was like two years agao) and that's why I am Hillary girl.

Winona Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 02:45 PM EST

Another Chicagoland poster here, and yes, the Republican side of that race was a mess anyway - and really, what does it say about the Republican party in Illinois when the best candidate they can come up with on short notice is ALAN KEYS?!?!

Andie Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 02:33 PM EST

I'm from Chicago, I remember that Jack Ryan had a pretty strong campaign. His ads were everywhere and I think he was leading Obama before the divorce stuff came out. I'm glad it did. And I'm glad they picked Alan Keyes to replace Ryan...there was no way he was going to beat Obama.

kel Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

Anonymous, don't take things so seriously. You're reading an entertainment website. Here's a new phrase for you -tongue in cheek. Look it up.

Anonymous Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:40 PM EST

Uh.... yeah. This post seems a little far fetched to me. Actually, it's pretty ridiculous.

MEM Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

As Chicago girl who's been wearing an Obama button since 2002, back when he had no money no organization and ostensibly no shot at winning a senate primary, I'll remind your readers that his odds of winning the senate election were very good, given the political climate in Illinois, even if he had had a strong opponent. Also, the Republican party botched that election in 100 different ways prior to the scandal. Becoming a rock star after he won? Well, that's all him. That said: big thanks go out to Jeri for making the journey that much easier!

mark in nyc Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:30 PM EST

any reason to put a picture of Jerry Ryan on your website is a good one.

Anna Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

sniff.

I am still bewildered and sad by what happened last night...Obama was supposed to win!!! But yes, that whole Jack Ryan scandal was pretty amusing.

Binky Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 12:49 PM EST

Obama was leading Ryan in the polls before Ryan's messy divorce details showed up.

Rahul Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 12:45 PM EST

Nice use of the Prime Directive in this post, Gary