Paging Alan Keyes

I really hate to say I told you so, but ... I told you so.

Former Gov. Jim Edgar announced Friday that he will NOT be a candidate for governor, ending months of ridiculous speculation that the former governor would come riding in on his downstate white steed and save the state from those nasty Democrats (expecially Blago-blunder).

Didn't happen. Never was gonna happen.

The Chicago Tribune reports on its Web site that Edgar had actually considered a run but his family and his health both ruled out the attempt.

"I have to tell you, I'm not looking for another job. Life is very good for the Edgars, and that's why (it) is not that easy to make that call," the former governor said Monday. "Also, as Brenda has pointed out, we've been there, we've done that, we know better."

At the same time, Edgar also said health considerations would play a factor in his decision.

Edgar had previous heart-related hospitalizations. Though he has previously refused to say what specific advice doctors had given him, he said he felt well and that doctors were satisfied with his test results.

There probably was one more consideration. Winning right now is a no-win situation for any politician in Illinois. It was when Blago ran and won and it still is. The state's got a LOT of troubles. George Ryan left Blago a real mess. While Blago, in between bunders, has managed to fix a few things, the state's a long, long way from getting its house in order. Years and years. Perhaps decades.

The next governor - probably Blago again - still will be faced with a long list of no-win situations. It's gonna take more than a few years to straighten things out, even if we DO elect an honest governor. (If we can find one).

Why, I ask, would Edgar want to take over the job right now? Why would ANYONE?

As the Tribune reports:

Edgar's indecision had all but frozen the Republican efforts to recapture a governor's office it had held for 26 years until Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich's election in 2002. Besides Edgar, at least six Republicans had announced or said they were considering a bid for the party's nomination for governor next spring.

The field includes announced contenders Brady, Oberweis, businessmen Ron Gidwitz and state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin). Birkett and state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka are weighing their own bids.

I don't especially like Blago-blunder, but does anyone see in there a name that can challenge and defeat him and his $14 million warchest?

I don't either.

And so it goes.