Senator Ditka?
Posted on 07/12/2004 10:50:28 PM PDT by ambrose
Ditka Train Gathering Steam? Thursday Rally at Da Coach's Chicago Eatery
Monday, July 12, 2004
By The Leader-Chicago Bureau
CHICAGO, IL -- Big dollar Ditka supporters will be writing $10,000 checks to kick off a Ditka for U.S. Senate race Thursday night July 15 at Ditka's Restaurant, 100 E. Chestnut in Chicago from 6PM-8PM, a new political action committee announced Monday afternoon.
"Now that Mike Ditka has indicated he would offer all voters in Illinois a better choice, Americans for Better Choices will immediately gear up its fundraising and endorsement efforts," the 527 group formed to promote the Ditka candidacy's head Allan Hug said.
Associated Press reported on Monday Illinois' Governor Rod Blagojevich said that fellow Chicago Democrat Barack Obama will win in November, no matter who the Republicans pick to run against him.
"But if you're asking me, do I think Mike Ditka would be qualified to be a United States senator, I'd have to enthusiastically, say, yes, I think he would," the governor said.
The growing number of Ditka supporters plan to gather Thursday night for a fundraiser followed by a rally. After the fundraiser for supporters who have pledged at least $10,000 to Americans for Better Choices' PAC the restaurant will be opened to "all Illinois voters who support Ditka."
A separate group, based on the internet website www.DraftDitka.com, reports they have gathered over 6000 petition signatures in support of the Ditka candidacy. The first outreach newsletter for Ditka support sent out last week said the group hoped to obtain 10,000 signatures.
"I believe we will have a great time, pledge a lot of money and hear many endorsement announcements on Thursday evening," Hug said, "I personally believe that a Ditka candidacy will also put Illinois in play once again in the US Presidential race."
Hey, he did play in Soldier Field. He is a cigar smoking, beer drinking, pizza eating American tough guy. Maybe he could go in there and kick Leahy's *ss. This guy won't need an F bomb to make his point.
http://www.illinoisleader.com/calendar/calendarview.asp?e=6015
From interview this morning between reporter Darlene Hill and Mike Ditka on Chicago Fox WFLD:
DH: ...If you decide to run, what would be your platform?
DITKA: Well my platform would be what the people want. I hate to say that, that sounds so generic, but what do people want? You talk about banning smoking. Okay, why don't we ban abortion? Let's talk about things that are really important. You know you talk about, well, you think one thing can harm your health, the other one takes a life.
Come on here, you know you're talking to a guy that is ultra-ultra-ultra conservative. So you know people who don't like that, you won't like me one bit. But I think I'm about what the majority of this people in the country are. I believe this country was founded under God. I think people who say it wasn't are crazy. But that's their biz; you know, that's me.
What you see is what you're gonna get. You're not going to like all of it. But you're gonna like some of it, and maybe you'll like enough of it to say okay this guy is all right.
This is straight talk like we heard from Sonny Bono.
Seems like a good guy, but I'm most interested in if he could win or not. Face it, considering the State, anybody who will vote for Frist as Majority leader and vote against filibusters would be good enough from a realistic standpoint. Do you think his sports persona will be enough to have him actually win? If so, great, if not, who else we got?
I wonder how the RINO leadership will feel about this?
Frankly, I don't see where they have any choice. No one else stands a chance of winning. Ditka could get crossover votes from the union thug types.
I don't see any other apt challenger either, considering that former Congressman and Democrat candidate for Governor Glenn Poshard won't be changing parties in order to run.
But... if this particular shindig is about "writing $10,000 checks to kick off a Ditka for U.S. Senate race," I'll have to order my pork chops from someone else's menu! ;-`
I wonder if Ditka could/can get support from... "Teddy Bear Mom's..." the big lug?
Just sent off a letter to Ditka at the www.DraftDitka.com/letters/ website. Here's one brief part of my letter:
Think of Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was a rather bizarre set of circumstances that allowed a golden opportunity for Arnold to grasp the brass ring and go for it. His risk taking landed him the Governorship of California. I absolutely believe the same set of bizarre circumstances now exist in the State of Illinois, and that if you go for it, just like you always did with every football team you coached, that you will be the next Senator from Illinois. This state has always loved you, and I can't think of a better time for you to help lead it. You can add another win to your column, and help the Pub Party, our state, and your country, all at once. Please, Coach Ditka, give it a shot.
They must really love him in Illinois, if even the Dem. Governor said such a nice thing about him. I'd think it would be easy enough, likely even, for the Gov. to say something like: I like Mike Ditka, but he has no experience, etc. But he pretty much said the opposite. The other fellow is fairly popular and appealing, if Ditka is really interested in being Senator he should go for it, it will make it an interesting race. Based on his pro-life stance as quoted on this thread, not to mention his implied support for smokers, I'd definately vote for him if I could.
He must run! He'll be the dims worst nightmare ever conceived!
First of all, he'll be next to impossible to smear. If they we to smear him, it'll be just like smearing the common man -- you know a Grabowski.
Secondly, the publicity he would generate would be out of this world -- like Arnold.
Thirdly, Illinois would be in play for Pres. Bush due to all of Iron Mike's publicity. With Illinois more in play, the dims will be forced to spend more money where they didn't think they have too.
Fourthly, it serves the dims right to replace Ryan with Ditka after what they did to Ryan. If I recall correctly, Ditka had a problem with a Ryan in the past. ;^)
Fifthly, his "political inexperience" is IMHO a strength in a state like Illinois. If Obama brings up the experience issue during a debate, then all Iron Mike has to do is list successful former athletes/actors who went on to be great politicians. He can also say with GREAT EFFECT, the Senate already is full of liberal trial lawyers, we don't need any more.
Finally, nobody and I mean NOBODY rants better than Iron Mike! He would take the Republican ranting title away from Orin Hatch the minute he takes the Senate floor and we all know Iron Mike will not chicken before he Hatches.
We need to get behind him NOW! It'll be the dims worst nightmare!
I'm not inclined to giggle, but I have to admit I had to stifle one at this comment...my WORD, how the Democrats would hate to see him in the Senate. Go Coach Ditka, go!
Regards, Ivan
If Schwarzenegger can be governor, Ditka can be senator.
I'm in love. :-) :-) :-)
Regards, Ivan
Gosh, I hope he runs! It would be a fascinating campaign, with many delicious moments.
Regards, Ivan
And the campaign will be quite enjoyable. I am thinking about the debates....lots of high-falutin' talk from the trial lawyer, followed by Ditka telling him off. HA!
Go Mike go!!!!!
Real men sometimes come forward. Step up, Mike Ditka.
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