Ditka's senate decision could come today

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Stacey Baca

July 14, 2004 — We may know by the end of today whether Iron Mike will be candidate Mike. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka is deciding whether to replace republican Jack Ryan in the race for U.S. Senate.

Mike Ditka is in the midst of the decision making process. He has been meeting with family members and republican leaders. Tuesday night he met with Judy Baar Topinka, the G.O.P. Chairwoman for the state. And afterwards Ditka called it a great meeting.

Still, though, he has not made a decision. But that could happen as early as today.

"I think I rub a lot of people wrong which I've done my whole life and I think I could do a good job for them," Ditka told ABC7 News.

more: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/071404_ns_ditka.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I read that he thinks he could be better than Ted Kennedy

What a fucking joke this guy is! I can't wait to see him get torn to shreds by Obama!! That is, IF Obama even dignifies him enough to debate him!

[oneighty]

2. Spitka Ditka

Spit on 'em grab yer crotch demonstrate same character as Bush*, peoples; they gonna love you.

180

[SoCalDem]

3. Ditka is "Cheney-esque".. pic of him flipping the bird to photographer

[Snoggera]

4. Golly

I can't wait until the entire Legislative branch is chock full of movie stars and celebrities. Maybe DC can set aside a sidewalk area to put their stars in, and people can get autographs.

This nation is insane.

[argonne]

5. Rusty Iron Mike!

We have had to put up with this miserable f*** for years in Illinois. He will be nothing but a curse if he is elected senator. I can think of nothing worse. What a despicable GOP for doing this. God help us!

[Fed Up]

6. why would voters choose a 1962 Dodge Dart over a 2004 Lexus?

I like Mike, but he's not qualified to be a Senator. Stick with ESPN. Obama is the real deal.

Most women voters probably don't even know who Mike is. We'll have to keep at this story. My take is he will probably say yes.

[Elginoid]

7. Ditka storms out of meeting...

http://illinoisleader.com/news/newsview.asp?c=17620

NEWS FLASH: Ditka storms out of meeting

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

By The Leader-Chicago Bureau
CHICAGO -- This morning in downtown Chicago, former Bears coach Mike Ditka left a secret meeting with IL GOP decision makers, angered about the media being tipped off about the meeting.


Ditka was to meet with members of the IL GOP State Central Committee and to speak via conference call with national level Republicans as he considered whether or not to fill the vacancy left when former candidate for U.S. Senate Jack Ryan announced his intentions to withdraw on June 25.


As word of the meeting leaked out to the press, Ditka reportedly was angered when met by reporters, exited the meeting promptly and hopped into his black Escalade, and left, obviously upset.


Ditka met last night with U.S. Senator George Allen, who flew into town to discuss the possibility of the former tight end filling the Ryan vacancy. Allen heads the Republican Senate Committee and is the son of football coach George Allen, who Ditka played for at one time.
Ditka's willingness to take on the candidacy may be in doubt now...

Ditka ain't gonna run- except maybe away.

[Walt Starr]

8. Yeah, I think he decided NO!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Frodo]

12. I wouldn't jump to conclusions

Apperently two senior republicans are endorsing him this evening.

It's got to be embarasing for whoever that guy was who is now their fifth choice.

[bushwakker]

16. He's running and he's viable

This seat is now in play after looking like a sure pickup. Don't underestimate his appeal to the yahoos out there. He'll have no problem getting $$$ and the media will fawn all over him like they do with all celebrity candidates.

[Frodo]

17. Has there been an announcement?

I may have missed something.

I still consider this 50/50. But he would be tough to beat. He would certainly take this race out of being an almost certain pickup.

Worse, he likely would help Bush in IL, which I didn't consider in play.

[bushwakker]

22. Hard to believe Senator Allen would go out there

if Ditka weren't running.

[Mari333]

9. Nothing more tiresome then some has been coach

who touts pharmaceutical potency and throws wads of gum at people he doesnt like.
No sane, intelligent woman has anything to do with men like this.
Blechhh. He wont get the women's vote if he tries. Women laugh at guys like this.

[Doosh]

10. Ditka can't do a damn thing without Buddy Ryan

he was a good TE whn he played, but as a coach and tactician, Ditka is incredibly overrated.

[Seemann For Congress]

15. Yep

He couldn't do anything without Buddy Ryan.

And he couldn't do this if not for Jeri Ryan.

Oh, the irony.

[colonel odis]

11. ok, who's next on their list? maybe they can get don zimmer

to leave tampa bay and move back up to chicago.

[yellowcanine]

13. Is Ditka even eligible to run in Illinois? I also heard he is not

registered to vote. Anybody know the truth on this?

[Walt Starr]

14. He's not registered

I'm not sure if he has established residency. If not, he must be a resident for thirty days before he can register, which means he has to establish residency no later that July 27th in order to register by August 26th so the GOP can put his name in on August 26th.

Unless the Dems roll over so the Illinois voters have the chance to vote for Ditka like they did with Bush.

:eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. Not a requirement

The only requirements to be a Senator are:

-30 years old

-A US citizen for nine years

-An inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen

[underpants]

21. Right you don't have to be a resident until the day you take the oath

This was discussed when Hillary was running in New York. You don't have to establish residency until the day before you are sworn into office representing that state.

[struggle4progress]

19. Not everybody votes for celebrities.

Much-idolized NASCAR driver Richard Petty ran for NC secretary of state in 96. Despite his wide popularity, driving ability didn't translate into votes. He crashed and burned.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. Petty's hit and run incident before the election

probably had something to do wtih his loss.

[struggle4progress]

23. The hit-and-run I remember in 96 was some NC Congressional ...

... candidate, not Petty.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. He was charged with reckless driving and hit and run

N.C. candidate and NASCAR star Petty charged with hit and
run


RALEIGH, N.C. (Sep 19, 1996 11:12 a.m. EDT) -- NASCAR racing
great and
secretary of state candidate Richard Petty faces reckless
driving and hit and run
charges after he allegedly bumped the rear of a car he was
trying to pass,
authorities said.

Petty was charged Wednesday with hit and run and reckless
driving in connection
with an accident involving James Forest Rassette in Cabarrus
County last week.

Tom Grady, a Concord lawyer who described himself as Petty's
friend,
downplayed the incident.

"I have not had a chance to talk to Mr. Petty other than to
tell you that, again, it
was a very, very minor incident," Grady told the News &
Observer of Raleigh. "I
have talked to Mr. Rassette. He realized it was a minor
incident and hopefully we
can have it resolved. Certainly Mr. Petty regrets that
anything's ever happened and
so does Mr. Rassette."

more: http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22richard+petty%22+%22secretary+of+state%22+%22reckless+driving%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&selm=51sjg0%241ea%40sjx-ixn5.ix.netcom.com&rnum=1

[lil-petunia]

25. ditka punts

thanked people, but said "no mas, no mas."

[yelladawg]

26. way too many women in his past

This guy has so many women in his past even Bill Clinton is jealous.

[Walt Starr]

28. Yup, as soon as the GOP guys started telling him,...

"Everything WILL come out. We have to know every bimbo you've been with and we have to know it now!" he stormed out of the meeting.

[rocktivity]

27. Don't make the same mistake California did, Illinois!

I'll tell Ditka what I told Arnold--if you're that interested in going into politics, start at the bottom--a city council seat or something like that. In these economic times, the last thing voters want to do is bring in a neophyte!

:headbang:
rocknation