BLAGOJEVICH REVEALS MARIJUANA USE

Analyst: It Won't Cost Gubernatorial Candidate Votes

SPRINGFIELD - 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 Statehouse
news conference. "I don't like it; I run. So I don't know if I inhaled or not."

"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 added.

He said he has not tried any other kind of illicit drug and does not
support legislation to legalize marijuana. Blagojevich's comments came a
month after a fellow Democrat hinted at skeletons in Blagojevich's closet.

Last month at the Illinois State Fair, Democratic Party chairman Michael
Madigan said there were indiscretions in Blagojevich's life that he could
discuss, but Madigan declined to elaborate on that statement because of
party solidarity.

Earlier that week, Blagojevich called Madigan arrogant for arranging a
state grant for a friend's livestock show. Blagojevich said Monday he
doesn't know what Madigan was referring to but is sure drug use was not the
subject. "I feel good about the life I've lived, a very honest life - work
hard, jog, try to eat the right kinds of foods, don't do anything in
excess," Blagojevich said.

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 comments add some flavor to a
campaign in which polls show him with a large lead, but they're not likely
to prompt voter outrage.

"It will make the campaign interesting," said Tari Renner, a professor at
Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. "I can't imagine it's going to
change many votes."

Blagojevich's comments echoed those of former President Clinton, who
admitted during his 1992 presidential campaign that he had tried marijuana
while at Oxford but "didn't inhale."

Clinton later remarked in a television interview that, if given a chance to
relive his youth, he would inhale if offered marijuana.

The Democrat's comments became fodder for late-night talk show hosts and
jokes at water coolers around the nation but didn't hurt him at the polls
as he went on to victories in 1992 and 1996.

Blagojevich was in Springfield on Monday to announce he's won endorsement
from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the group's first backing
of a Democratic candidate after endorsing Republicans Jim Edgar and George
Ryan.

David Vite, the group's president, said retailers backed Blagojevich
because the association believed he has stronger experience and a better
grasp of business issues than Ryan.