Ditka tells GOP he's game

[greatauntoftriplets]

Some see draft of Da Coach as sign of party's desperation

By Rick Pearson
Tribune political reporter
Published July 13, 2004

Bill Reese says if his high-end clothing firm just had a bit more warning, it would add a new shirt to next month's planned rollout of the Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Collection of casual wear.

"How about `Vote for Mike' shirts?" Reese, the president and chief operating officer of Nashville-based Eagle Dry Goods Co., asked Monday. "At least he's getting his name out there at the right time for us."

To be sure, when it comes to Mike Ditka--the Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, former winning Super Bowl coach, television football analyst, restaurateur, male-dysfunction medication pitchman, radio car salesman, casino spokesman, motivational speaker and clothes designer--there's never any shortage of promotion.

But the 64-year-old Ditka also is causing a commotion among Republicans, who have been despairing over finding a replacement for Jack Ryan as their U.S. Senate nominee. Ryan announced his withdrawal from the race last month after the court-ordered release of his divorce documents.

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