This just in from the Chicago Tribune re: Ditka v.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

Barack Obama.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-040714ditka,1,4436809.story?coll=chi-news-hed

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[w13rd0]

1. requires registration

why not give us a synopsis

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. From my GD thread on this. Yipeeeeeee!!!!

Sources: Ditka's out of the game

By Rick Pearson
Tribune political reporter
Published July 14, 2004, 7:14 PM CDT

Ending the brief daliance of despairing Republicans with fantasy league football, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has told leading Republicans that he does not intend to seek the U.S. Senate nomination that is being given up by Jack Ryan, sources said Wednesday.

Ditka's discussions with Republican leaders came as former campaign aides to Ryan, the winner of the March 16th GOP primary, said he had sent to the State Board of Elections on Wednesday his formal notification that he was withdrawing from the contest. Ryan had said he would give up the nomination at the end of last month in the aftermath of the court-ordered release of his divorce-related documents.

Republican sources said Ditka notified various leading Republicans of his decision throughout the day on Wednesday. His decision came after a 2-hour meeting Tuesday night at his restaurant with State GOP Chair Judy Baar Topinka and U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the son of the man who helped draft Ditka to the Bears.

[Straight Shooter]

6. Ditka's out

<snip>
Ending the brief daliance of despairing Republicans with fantasy league football, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has told leading Republicans that he does not intend to seek the U.S. Senate nomination that is being given up by Jack Ryan, sources said Wednesday.

Ditka's discussions with Republican leaders came as former campaign aides to Ryan, the winner of the March 16th GOP primary, said he had sent to the State Board of Elections on Wednesday his formal notification that he was withdrawing from the contest. Ryan had said he would give up the nomination at the end of last month in the aftermath of the court-ordered release of his divorce-related documents.

[otohara]

7. Here you go...

Ending the brief daliance of despairing Republicans with fantasy league football, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has told leading Republicans that he does not intend to seek the U.S. Senate nomination that is being given up by Jack Ryan, sources said Wednesday.

Ditka's discussions with Republican leaders came as former campaign aides to Ryan, the winner of the March 16th GOP primary, said he had sent to the State Board of Elections on Wednesday his formal notification that he was withdrawing from the contest. Ryan had said he would give up the nomination at the end of last month in the aftermath of the court-ordered release of his divorce-related documents.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

8. Sorry, here ya go

Ending the brief daliance of despairing Republicans with fantasy league football, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has told leading Republicans that he does not intend to seek the U.S. Senate nomination that is being given up by Jack Ryan, sources said Wednesday.

Ditka's discussions with Republican leaders came as former campaign aides to Ryan, the winner of the March 16th GOP primary, said he had sent to the State Board of Elections on Wednesday his formal notification that he was withdrawing from the contest. Ryan had said he would give up the nomination at the end of last month in the aftermath of the court-ordered release of his divorce-related documents.

Republican sources said Ditka notified various leading Republicans of his decision throughout the day on Wednesday. His decision came after a 2-hour meeting Tuesday night at his restaurant with State GOP Chair Judy Baar Topinka and U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the son of the man who helped draft Ditka to the Bears.

[otohara]

2. What A Relief

I was sure another CA would happen if this happened.

[King of New Orleans]

11. Ditka is not Schwartzennegger

and Obama ain't Gray Davis

Ditka would've had his butt handed to him

[onehandle]

3. What a chicken. nt

[The Zanti Regent]

4. Bye Mikey!

He's gone back to Ricky Williams!

[GainesT1958]

9. Da Coach won't run...

Takes away from his endorsement deals!:eyes:

Details are also available from Kos:

www.dailykos.com

Good news for Obama!:D

B-)

[bushwakker]

10. Cautious now - Arnold did the same thing

He indicated he wasn't running - then dramatically announced he was. Ditka is a real threat to win that seat and I won't feel better until he is really, officially out.

[Don_G]

12. Registration ID At The Chicago Trib Or LA Times

Use linkfilter/linkfilter.

[Walt Starr]

13. Damn, that could have been a lot of fun

:evilgrin:

[bushwakker]

15. No, it would have been a pain in the ass

If Ditka is truly out I think we dodged a bullet. I don't believe he's out 'til I hear it from his lips.

[ButterflyBlood]

14. Congratulations Senator Obama!

[Nevernose]

16. When's the last day a Repub can register in Illinois? n/t

n/t

[Moderator]

17. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=686066