Posted on 07/07/2004 12:13:38 PM PDT by ChuckK
CHICAGO, IL -- As if the U.S. Senate race couldn't get stranger, a surprise candidate has emerged as the favorite to replace Jack Ryan in the U.S. Senate slot for the November ballot, Americans for Better Choices, a new 527 political organization announced today.
Allan Hug, a local entrepeneur associated with ABC, reported that former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka could beat the second place Republican primary finisher Jim Oberweis, weekend polling indicates.
"I was notified that Coach Ditka had been approached by supporters late last week and urged to run," Hug said when asked why Ditka's name was in the Republican poll.
"Today I was told that several members of the Republican State Central Committee have been circulating Ditka's name as a possible candidate, and that the Ditka candidacy is being reviewed at the RNC in Washington," he said.
21st Century Campaigns LLC of Chicago conducted the poll from July 3 through July 5 over the Internet, taking advantage of its more than 1,500,000 email name list in Illinois. Steve Denari, CEO of 21st Century, said that he had not seen such a strong showing for a political outsider since last October, when 21st Century polled in the Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign in California. The results were as follows:
Mike Ditka 58% Jim Oberweis 16% Steve Rauschenberger 12% Others/Undecided 14%
Hug also noted that discussions with Jim Oberweis concerning backing a Ditka candidacy were ongoing, but that Oberweis still maintained the highest polling numbers, should Ditka decide not to run in place of former candidate Jack Ryan.
Hug said he personally believed that "Da Coach" could even put Illinois in play once again in the US Presidential race.
The new 527 organization hired 21st Century Campaigns to manage the ABC media efforts to get a Republican replacement on the ballot and offer Illinois voters a real choice.
21st Century's Denari noted, "While we are a media company and therefore non-partisan, we certainly are pleased to be part of this historic effort for both Illinois and the nation. Current Senator Peter Fitzgerald sits in the 51st Republican seat -- the entire balance of power in the full US Senate could hinge on this race."
Earlier this week, the IL GOP reported they were considering former Chicago Bears football player Dave Duersen for the candidacy, as well. Duersen, when interviewed by reporters, said he wasn't in the running, and supported Democrat Barack Obama for the seat.
This is an interesting developement. Ditka's celebrity may be what's needed to offset Barak Obama's star quality. While Obama seems a nice enough person, his views are pure leftist liberal, and the Senate has way too many of those.
Could you imagine? Ditka opening up a can of whoop-ass on those sniveling twerps Schumer and Leahy...
This would really invigorate the Republican Party in Illinois and nationally. I know Ditka was angry over a smoking ban in his restaurant and that could help convince him. We need to hear from him first before jumping on this.
Da Couch, Da Beer, Da Bears. Go Ditka!
Oops not the couch. The Coach. I have been awake since 3 am. Please disregard any posts I have made today. LOL. I am a very tired woman with a toddler. :)
ANother thread up says another person is also interested in running.....
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