Jim Edgar
Jim Edgar
James "Jim" Edgaris an American politician who was the 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999. Previously he served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1981 to 1991. As a moderate Republican in a largely blue-leaning state, Edgar was a popular and successful governor, leaving office with high approval ratings. Though still popular, he surprised many by retiring from elected office after his second term as governor, claiming that heart problems he had while governor were not a factor...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth22 July 1946
CountryUnited States of America
I was hesitant to go around and shake hands, just go up and stick my hand out to strangers. Then I learned to stick my hand out.
I spend time in the classroom. I think more of them aren't political science than are political science. I particularly like talking to journalism students.
It would change the dynamics, ... You've got records, and hopefully the media would spend a lot more time than they usually do comparing them.
Brenda said, 'Whatever you do, just make up your mind,'
That's what I liked about the idea of two governors who had records, ... Because then you could just put aside all this rhetoric and look at their records.
Four years ago Clinton hadn't had his problems, ... I also think that sometimes we react to an election late. Character probably should have been a concern four years ago and it wasn't. I think the American voters are saying, 'We're not going to make that mistake again this time.'
I find it ironic, when he ran for the senate, one of the first things he did was run to George Ryan to get his advice.
They could go back to mediation. If they do, the mediators will stay out of the spotlight as much as they can. They're trying to establish a climate where both sides can talk.
This is a two-step dance and the first step starts tomorrow.
After a lot of thought, a lot of anguish, we've decided I will not be a candidate for governor, ... There have been literally thousands of people who have written us, stopped us on the street, asking us to run. That's what makes this very difficult.
I think the reason I've given it any consideration is my concern for the state and I don't think we're moving in the right direction, ... On the personal side, my family kind of feels like we've been through this. We've done this, we've done our time. And I think that's a valid position as well.
I always said, 'I never say never.' Today, I say never, ... This is it.
In some ways, the campaign's going to, maybe, be the easiest part of this process. The next four years of governing is going to be extremely difficult. So far as aggravation, I figure all five years is going to be aggravation.
America has been a beacon of hope for vulnerable people throughout the world.