ILLINOIS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SMOKED MARIJUANA

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rod Blagojevich
said Monday he smoked marijuana twice when he was college- aged but was so
inept at it he does not know if he inhaled. "I did it twice, and I'm a
nonsmoker," Blagojevich said at a news conference. "I don't like it; I run.
So I don't know if I inhaled or not."

He added: "I never liked the smell of it, but it was a smell that we all of
our generation are very familiar with, and I'm sure I'm not the only one in
this room who can recognize that smell."

Blagojevich said he has not tried any other kind of illicit drug and does
not support legislation to legalize marijuana.

A spokesman for Republican nominee Jim Ryan said Ryan has never used any
illegal drug.

"Jim Ryan has been saying all along in this campaign that character and
honesty are crucial issues for the voters in this race," spokesman Dan
Curry said. "There have been a number of statements made by Rod Blagojevich
in this race that have been less than honest."

Some political observers said Blagojevich's admission isn't likely to
prompt voter outrage.

"It will make the campaign interesting," said Tari Renner, a professor at
Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

Blagojevich's comments echoed those of Bill Clinton, who admitted during
his 1992 presidential campaign that he had tried marijuana but didn't inhale.

Republican Gov. George Ryan announced last summer he would not seek a
second term.