NEWS FLASH: Ditka storms out of meeting

[Walt Starr]

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.

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

I know it's the Illinois Leader, but it's a hoot he's already blown up and isn't even in the race yet!

[Hawkeye-X]

1. So much for Mike Ditka as a U.S. Senator

He'd be worthless anyway, and Obama is virtually undefeatable at this stage.

Hawkeye-X

[apnu]

2. I can't believe they actually think he's gonna bring anything to the table

But there is a part of me that will enjoy watching Ditka explode repeatedly if he runs.

The comparison to Arnie and Ventura is a joke. Ventrua seized upon a growing sentiment in MN about how the political parties are operating in that state and capitalized on it. Arnie did the same with a state that was pissed off at the state government's ability to guide the state through a very real crisis, and he had a touch of Nazi party tactics by vilifying his opponents as monsters and played off people's fears.

Those conditions don't exist here in IL, at least from where I'm sitting in Chicago. Most 'pugs in my office (I'm the only Liberal) see Ditka as a buffoon but would vote for him because he's A) not Obama, B) the GOP guy on the ticket, and C) they, like all GOP in IL, have a sick sense of futility and don't have a problem tossing their vote out the window because they are convinced that they are going to lose.

[billybob537]

3. Ditka can't even trust Republicans

to keep a low level meeting quiet.

[StClone]

4. Sexing Up Ditka: The Arnoldization of Republicans

If this is a trend the Republicans are going down, crumbling. Developing caricature for public allure and consumption controlled by Puppet masters is a disaster.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. If he's that thin skinned....

...he'll never make it in politics. And thank the gods for that!!!