Posted on 07/10/2004 7:14:23 PM PDT by RWR8189
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS -- Da Bears or Da Senate.
Most conversations involving fans of the Chicago Bears eventually revert to the 1986 Super Bowl championship and their ringleader, Coach Mike Ditka.
"Iron Mike," as he is known, won more than 100 games for the Bears from 1982 to 1992 after a distinguished playing career with the Monsters of the Midway.
Now 64, Ditka is making news outside the gridiron. It has been speculated that he may enter the political arena. The prize -- a U.S. Senate seat now up for grabs after incumbent Republican Peter Fitzgerald announced he would not seek re-election.
Jack Ryan, who won the Republican primary this spring, and was scheduled to face Democrat Barack Obama in Nov- ember, withdrew from the race amid pressure from party stalwarts.
Divorce records revealed that Ryan's ex-wife accused him of asking her to perform sex acts at various sex clubs. With Ryan apparently out of the mix, the Republicans are now looking for a candidate with name recognition to take on the highly-favored Obama.
Ditka could be that candidate. Other former athletes have made it big in politics -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Bradley, Jesse Ventura, Steve Largent and Jack Kemp, to name a few.
"This is the first I've heard of it," said Jeff Hoch of Herrin, a self-described Bears fanatic. "At first glance, I like the idea, but when it comes down to voting, I go with my conscience. I'd have to know where Mike stood on some important issues like abortion, domestic partnerships, taxes, business, and stem cell research."
Hoch said if Ditka were to follow Republican Party lines, he might be inclined to vote for him. "What I do know is that Ditka is one who would stand up and be accountable. I believe him to be a man of integrity." Hoch added that the Republican Party is not only reeling from Jack Ryan's sex scandal, but also from former Gov. George Ryan's license for bribes scandal. "Either way, it's going to be an uphill battle," he said.
Amy Turner of Carterville said the Republican Party would be making a mistake by asking Ditka to represent the party in November.
"I think if they would stick a name out there that is friendly (to the voters), they would be doing so because they feel the pressure. Really, it would be a bad thing," she said. "Mike Ditka has no political background. I couldn't even tell you what he stands for. It's ridiculous. I'm not a fan of career politicians, but I'd like to have someone running for office with some political knowledge. I'm not sure Ditka has even served on so much as a PTO board."
A staunch Democrat, Turner said she would not vote for Ditka even though she is from Chicago, is a huge Bears fan, and is appreciative of the work he did as the team's head coach.
"I think Ditka's an intelligent guy, but I don't know if he has enough appeal statewide," Turner said. "I think he might offend too many people. I just know I wouldn't vote for him."
Turner's husband, Dan, stands on the opposite end of the political aisle from his wife.
"I absolutely would vote for Mike Ditka if he ran on the Republican ballot," Dan Turner said. "He definitely has some leadership qualities. Of course, I'd still like to see what his thoughts are. As opposed to Jack Ryan, I think he'd make an excellent candidate."
Josh Dunderdale of Herrin used to work for the Bears as a sales representative for their radio broadcast of games.
"I really don't have any strong feelings about Mike Ditka running for senator, but I would say he is a powerful person who I would describe as a successful leader. He seems to express himself well. How that would transfer to politics is hard to say."
Dunderdale said Ditka could garner a large percentage of the Chicago vote because of his immense popularity. "For me to vote for him, I would have to find out a lot more about him."
Maybe Sean asked 'do you know how many books I've written?' and J.D. is counting them.
Interesting. The Senate could use a Republican with some balls...they're getting scarce.
JD is a good congressman. Just look how he dwarfs Sean.
I hope he runs and wins. I can't imagine why anyone in Illinois would want to vote for Osama.
BTTT
Rhetorically, of course.
Ditka puts on his game face for first debate with DumDems...
Ditka prepares to cast deciding vote on gay marriage ban...
All the Grabowski's would vote for him!
Ryan doesn't have any political experience either. Ditka would do better handling the rabid press-he's used to it. I hope Ditka decides to run. Obama is a very left liberal. The Senate seat will go Dem unless Illinois Republicans pick someone like Ditka. It's bad enough we have to suffer with spineless Durbin.
I like JD but his voting record is sad. The JD in that photo dwarfs the JD of today, he has lost a lot of weight.
If he's conservative he should run. How anyone did not filter Ryan's past is beyond me.
As a Republican, we need to have leadership that has backbone.
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