Posted on 07/13/2004 10:47:08 PM PDT by ambrose
Ditka Meets With Topinka About Senate Run 'Da Coach' To Make Decision By End Of Week
POSTED: 9:56 am CDT July 13, 2004 UPDATED: 10:51 pm CDT July 13, 2004
CHICAGO -- Last week, the news of former Bears coach Mike Ditka possibly running as a Republican candidate for the United States Senate was greeted in some quarters with a polite chuckle.
"Da Coach", though, isn't laughing.
NBC5's Marion Brooks reported on Monday that Ditka is talking about taking the place of Jack Ryan, who withdrew from the race amid allegations of forcing his wife to go to sex clubs.
"I don't know, but I'll make a decision by the end of the week" Ditka (pictured, right) said at his restaurant on Chestnut Street. "It is serious stuff -- it's not a funny thing and it is a great honor to be considered."
Video: Ditka Ponders Candidacy
Ditka met with Illinois Republican Party leader Judy Baar Topinka at his restaurant Tuesday night, NBC5's Amy Jacobson reported. Ditka said he has made a decision, but he wouldn't say what it was.
If Ditka makes a run, Brooks reported that he would use his own money. Ditka said dipping into his own bank account doesn't bother him.
"I'm not worried about that," he added.
Diane Ditka, the former coach's wife, is the other major consideration in Ditka's decision. Last week, she said the chance of her husband running was "slim and none -- and slim just left."
"She'd probably shoot me but she wouldn't divorce me," Mike Ditka said. "Whatever I decide, Diane has always been positive."
When asked about a possible Ditka candidacy, a representative from Democratic candidate Barack Obama's campaign said, "The thought of Ditka running brings fun and interest into politics, which is a good thing. However, this does not change our approach from the start."
Ditka said family is a huge consideration in deciding whether or not to run -- mostly because of the scrutiny. Ditka said he can handle it, but he wants to make sure his family is all right, Brooks reported.
Ditka describes himself as an ultra-conservative -- he is anti-abortion rights and thinks a marriage should be between a man and a woman, Brooks reported. However, Ditka is also anti-gun. So how do other Republicans perceive Ditka as a candidate?
"I really don't know Mike Ditka as a candidate," said Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, a Republican from Yorkville. "I never really talked politics in depth (with him), and I really can't tell you about him."
Hastert said, though, that Ditka would have great name recognition.
Just as Brooks and Ditka were talking, Ryan himself walked into the restaurant. He did not want to comment, but Brooks reported that Ditka believes Ryan was wronged.
"I didn't think he should have stepped down," Ditka reported. "His private life is his private life."
That might be the right mix to win over Catholic union voters, no?
the country desperately needs Ditka to win this seat in the Senate
DA SENATOR
ALright OH MAN I hope good people in Illnois vote for DA Coach for Senate
A call from Bush would seal the deal, IMHO. Ditka would do it.
Also, Ditka in the race would draw Bush to campaign in - and potentially win- Illinois. Most pundits chalked Illinois as a Kerry win long ago.
It would also send that serpent two-bit proto-socialist Barak Obama back to where he belongs- obscurity.
The Dems ought not be sniggering...
He met with Atchison, Topinka, and Santa Fe?
Who needs guns when you can strangle people with your bare hands? ;)
The way I've been reading these stories the last few days, I'm convinced he's running or at the very least has decided to run but wants to get his family concerns squared away first. He took a liking to it, the grassroots are getting pumped on even the thought of his candidacy, and he's starting to talk to the press. EVERYONE is talking about it, even the sports radio stations in New York.
The sucking sound you would soon hear is Obama's momentum crashing to a halt. All of a sudden, if a superstar like Ditka got into the mix, Obama is yesterday's news and all eyes are on Ditka. His name recognition, cash, and popular appeal will win over a lot of people, regardless of his conservative politics.
He would also be a shot of energy into the elitist upper chamber of our Congress, breaking up the buddy-buddy system that has made the Senate a do-nothing chamber in my eyes.
Go for it, coach.
The local scumbag liberal talk show host was livid today at the thought that Mike might run. He's not "qualified", doesn't have "leadership", blah, blah, blah. Through the bluster and crap that the guy spews, I could tell that he was actually scared; Ditka is really the only one left who could trounce Commie Obama.
The Rats sure will be sorry for trashing Jack Ryan if Ditka jumps into the race...
Sounds like the Dems are getting a little anxious.
Plus - even if Ditka doesn't win, just running will force the Rats to devote resources to a race that they had previously had locked up, almost by default..
For Ditka, he'll never have a better opportunity to run for office, since it will be such a short campaign. Even if he loses, he'll be back doing football games well before the playoffs.
We have a winner! Of course they're frightened. They know that Ditka IS the GOP's Hail Mary pass, and can send Obama back to the liberal depths from whence he came. Not only that, but he can drag in a lot of people who don't usually vote and get them voting Republican this time. They're scared because they nuked what they thought was the GOP's best choice with a non-scandal scandal, and ended up getting their worst nightmare only a few days away from announcing his plans.
Yes, I'd say at this point unless the Ill. GOP has some other rich, popular guy with high name ID, he's their own hope to beat Obama.
Now, he could still belly-flop as a novice, but give him some good handlers and vet his positions and private life and should be fine.
NO CONTEST!
All valid points, but to be honest, with just the groundswell of attention he would get, unless the Democrats have a picture of him with a dead girl or live boy, he will suction out all of Obama's momentum and screw up their plans of an easy seat pick-up and could very well win in November, and maybe even force Kerry to spend a few bucks here as you said. The Democrats are frightened that, unlike their presidential candidate, Ditka might be the "real deal".
"regardless of his conservative politics.
"
Actually I think it is his conservative politics that will help him win in the end... that is the one thing missing from the Illinois GOP that has turned it into the moribund party that they are.
"Who needs guns when you can strangle people with your bare hands? ;)"
Or knock them unconscious with your levitra - enhanced *ahem*.
Unfortunately, this is one area that the Illinois GOP flat sucks at (among many things); we're going to need help from the national party to do this - IL GOP handlers stink (ex. Jack Ryan's campaign).
Honestly, I do too. The fact that he'll tell it like it is, won't give in to the elitism that has plagued the Senate for so long, and won't be a wishy-washy moderate will get him votes as well.
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