Posted on 07/14/2004 2:30:27 AM PDT by Prince Charles
'Democrats are shaking in their boots'
July 14, 2004
BY SCOTT FORNEK Political Reporter
Does Iron Mike know what kind of game he could be getting into?
That is more or less the question a top Washington Republican was planning to ask Mike Ditka.
Virginia Sen. George Allen, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and son of a Hall of Fame coach himself, flew into Chicago Tuesday to personally huddle with Ditka, one day after the Bears legend said he was thinking about running for the U.S. Senate.
"Sen. Allen is planning on meeting with Coach Ditka tonight in Chicago to discuss the level of thought that Ditka has put into the race and the implications that that would have on the life that he lives right now," a GOP strategist in Washington said Tuesday.
No matter what Ditka decides, a growing number of Illinois Republicans are warming up to the idea that Ditka might -- might -- be willing to step in to replace GOP Senate nominee Jack Ryan, who resigned over allegations he once took his wife to sex clubs.
Eight of the 19 members of the panel that will choose Ryan's replacement told the Sun-Times they could see themselves supporting Ditka if he decides to run. The eight members of the Republican State Central Committee represent congressional districts from one end of the state to the other and control 49.4 percent of the weighted votes to be cast on the matter.
"I thought it was a joke at first, but now I think he is really contemplating it," said Dennis P. Wiggins, a west suburban member of the panel who said he could see himself supporting Ditka if his first choice -- dairy owner Jim Oberweis -- lacks backing.
"Obviously, if I see that Oberweis doesn't stand a prayer, I would go to Ditka," he said. "Certainly, it would save somebody $5 million having to worry about name recognition, wouldn't it?"
Few of the eight flat-out pledged their support. Most want to make sure Ditka is really interested and can pass their screening process.
"Well, God only knows what's in his past," said Barbara J. Peterson, a panel member from Downstate Beecher who first thought the Ditka draft movement was "totally ridiculous" but now says she could support him if the majority of the state central committee does.
"I'd say, what do we have to lose? I think all the Democrats are shaking in their boots," she said. "But I don't think it's going to happen. [Ditka and his wife's] lives would change so much. And I think their life that they have now is a lot better than the life they would have in politics."
Similar concerns prompted Allen to fly to Chicago. He is considered someone who can talk frankly to Ditka, not only because of his GOP role, but because his father was Hall of Fame legend George Allen, who coached Ditka on the Bears in the 1960s.
"It's not a typical recruiting trip," the GOP strategist said. "It's more of a face-to-face, sit down and have a frank conversation about: 1) being in the United States Senate, but 2) also how a campaign would impact and affect the lifestyle that he has right now."
Or as another Republican put it, "If you run, there are consequences, meaning, 'You have to give up all your deals.' "
Some members of the central committee say it's too early to say whether they could support Ditka.
"I'm a Bears fan," said MaryAlice Erickson, a Peoria resident and the party's vice chairman. "Obviously, he has great name recognition, but I'm not going to make a decision based on that. I have no idea what kind of candidate he would be. I have no idea what kind of senator he would be -- none."
Ronald Smith, a west suburban retiree who has been on the committee for 26 years, wants to make sure Ditka passes the vetting process.
"If he comes out clean as a whistle, he's my favorite candidate right now," Smith said. "Even Mike Ditka -- as much as we all love him -- we have to make sure everything is on the up and up."
But Smith isn't so sure all of Ditka's dirty laundry will hurt him.
"I remember that time when some guy was harassing him, and I think he hit the guy with a wad of gum," Smith said. "I'd just love to see him hit Teddy Kennedy upside the head with a wad of gum."
Deals??? In other words, television commercials and commentator positions? Is that what he means by deals??
OMG, a wad of gum!
A Republican Senator with some backbone? Say it ain't so.
What the heck--let's have some fun! It would be great to see a totally unconventional, non-suck up politico lifer candidate run for one of the most overrated jobs in the country. Frankly, we'd be better off with 100 Forrest Gumps in the senate insted of the mostly pompous, devious crew in there now.
God I hope Ditka jumps in and if nothing else makes this race competitive enough to drain DNC money. what was once thought of as a D certainty now may move back to a tossup
Da Senator!
How long before the rats start calling for gum control?
Well, at least he knows how to toss a football!
The thought of seeing Mike Ditka telling the rest of the Senate what he thinks....
I heard a clip of him on the radio this morning, and I'll paraphrase: "There are certain people in this country that I just don't like. Right is right and wrong is wrong. There are people who think Michael Moore is a hero. He may be a lot of things, but he ain't no hero".
That's good enough for me.
Hahaha! To be in the US Senate you have to "give up your deals"??? What turnip truck did this unnamed Republican official fall off of? Look at the intelligence of the average Senator and look at his financial report and any fool can see that Mike would be entering Fat City if he got elected. I don't really think the pantywaist Republican pansies in the Senate would welcome a real man like Iron Mike so I guess that's why Allen was dispatched to discourage him.
I would pay good money to see that.....UNCENSORED!
I'd pay cash money to see this happen! BWA HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Think Jim Traficant, with more class and substance.
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