What changed the calculus was Lyin' Ryan's realization that conservatives would not support him in the next primary because the vastness of his corruption had been revealed.
I voted for Poshard in 1998. I can't understand why any conservative who was paying any attention at all wouldn't have done, since Ryan ran to the left of Poshard on every single issue. Had Poshard won, we would have a mandate for concealed-carry in Illinois. Instead, we got King George who forced a statute through the Illinois state legislature to make public possession of any firearm which was either uncased or loaded a felony [by forced, I mean he repeatedly called the legislature into special session and told them they couldn't go home for Christmas until they gave him the legislation he wanted]. I'll admit my knowledge of bad governors is limited, but I have a hard time imagining anyone being any worse than King George.