The prominence of Obama last night serves to highlight how pathetic the Illinois GOP has been in naming an opponent for him. The longer the GOP goes without a nominee, the more I think that Jack Ryan should get back in this race. He’s the legally chosen Republican candidate. He has the support of the national party. He doesn’t need the state party. He’s a sympathetic figure now, so I think he would be able to garner the popular support of voters.

To that end, Republican Young Professionals in Illinois are raising the call to “Bring Back Jack” by encouraging voters to sign a petition here.