Posted on 08/09/2011 11:52:34 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
While speaking at the Washington Area Community Center’s Lessons for Leaders (Washington, IL) on August 6, Coach Mike Ditka lambasted the mainstream media (MSM) and heaped praise on Gov. Sarah Palin. Said Ditka:
“I understand Sarah Palin spoke here last year. I admire her. She’s a great lady, mother and wife, and that’s more important than the [bull****] the media spreads about her.”
Ditka has offered up a strong defense of Palin before. For instance, in 2010, during an interview on Fox and Friends, he said “Sarah Palin is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met.”
When he stumped for Palin/McCain in 2008, Ditka said Palin “epitomizes all the good qualities of this country.” He also called on audience members to put party affiliation and anything else that divided them aside long enough “put Country First” for a change. (Ditka lead by example by unashamedly admitting he was a Republican and a conservative, and most importantly, he said, “I am an American.”)
Of course, I don’t recall hearing Chris Matthews, Matt Lauer, or anyone in the MSM mention Ditka’s kind words for the Governor in 2010 (nor do I remember them making fun of him for being a Republican). And since that was back in the days when Keith Olbermann still had a show, you’d at least think Ditka would have made the “Worst Person in the World” list.
But alas, just silence.
Come to think of it, I don’t recall hearing them talk about Ditka’s kind words for Palin on the campaign trail in 2008 either. (I’ve got a feeling Matthews, Lauer, and Olbermann would rather pick fights with people who don’t fight back, and they all know Ditka isn’t the type to just shut up and take it. That’s why they fear him and that’s why we love him.)
That’s also why we love Palin.
For the record, I won’t be expecting any MSM outlets to cover Ditka’s most recent praise of Palin at all. They’ll be too busy carrying water for Obama’s sinking ship or talking about how great it is to see Eric Holder sue another state for passing legislation aimed at protecting their borders.
One of the most famous coaches in sports isn’t newsworthy?
2ndDivisionVet: “One of the most famous coaches in sports isn’t newsworthy?”
Was he discussing football?
Ditka was overrated as a coach and the ‘80s Bears were one hit wonders. Walsh, Parcells, Gibbs, and Jimmy Johnson (to name some of his contemporaries) were all better.
Exactly what I was thinking. Would we consider it newsworthy if he was praising Obama? Ditka doesn’t influence my vote any more than Oprah does.
Well, I said it earlier this week and I’ll say it again: as a life-long, die-hard, bleed-purple Minnesota Vikings fan I tip my hat to the coach.
Sportsworthy at least...
A while back Ditka wondered aloud on ESPN why the NFL didn’t simply forbid any of its employees or players to own firearms. GENIUS!!!
Don’t underestimate the value of high praise from “Da Coach.” There’s a lot of ordinary folks here in Illinois who pay no attention to politics at all, who if they knew Palin was OK with Ditka, they’d be taking her seriously. You may not be a part of this demographic, but they exist, and they vote. The MSM will push this kind of positive assessment as far out of view as possible, precisely because they know it’s this kind of quasi-endorsement that can reach their otherwise sequestered constituencies. A vote is a vote, and a widely circulated Ditka recommendation would be a good thing for Palin.
BTW, I saw the ’85 Bears play, and while they may have had a short run, it really was the most fun I’ve ever had as a football fan, and that’s makes them all winners to me.
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