!!!!!
this is hilarious. with Jack "Don't Cry, It's Such a Turnoff" Ryan out of the Illinois Senatorial race, the Republicans have completely lost their minds.
Could "da coach" pursue a new title as "da senator?"
A group of grassroots GOP loyalists are trying to recruit former Bears coach Mike Ditka to run for U.S. Senate or Illinois Republican Party chairman in December.
But are they serious?
"Dead serious," said Tom Pence of Oswego, a Kendall County GOP committeeman who co-founded the Web site www.draftditka.com.
The goal of his group is to gather 10,000 signatures to convince Ditka to lead the Republican Party after Chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka ends her term.
"I think Judy has done a great job bringing new people to the party," Pence said. "There are some young Republicans interested in rebuilding the party, and who better to lead than the coach of the only Super Bowl Chicago Bears team?"
A separate group, sparked by "draft Ditka" supporters, took the movement a step further and commissioned a poll to test Ditka's viability as a U.S. Senate candidate. The 504 likely Republican voters polled in an unscientific Internet survey picked Ditka overwhelmingly from a list of possible contenders to replace GOP nominee Jack Ryan. Ryan announced last month he would withdraw.
The poll got the attention of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington, D.C., which has been involved in the vetting process for a Ryan replacement.
In fact, the chairman of the national committee, U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), has a personal connection: His father, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach George Allen, coached Ditka.
"We're aware of (Ditka's name) being out there, but ultimately we know the people making the decision will be the State Central Committee," said Dan Allen, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
A spokesman for Ditka did not return phone calls.
Ditka has been involved in Illinois GOP politics for the past decade.
Two years ago, he hosted a fundraiser at his downtown Chicago restaurant for Republican attorney general candidate Joe Birkett, and later introduced President Bush at a DuPage County Republican rally.
"It would certainly elevate the national stature of our race, and he could be an Arnold Schwarzenegger-type of candidate," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, a member of the State Central Committee, which will chose Ryan's replacement on the ballot.
"If Mike Ditka's professional schedule would allow him to campaign, I'd love to talk to the coach," Dillard said.
Ryan announced last month he would withdraw from the race after allegations from his divorce file became public. His ex-wife alleged during a custody dispute he took her to sex clubs and wanted to have sex with her in front of other people.
That "character test" could be a problem for Ditka, who is well-known for losing his temper. He apologized and was fined for flipping his middle finger at New Orleans Saints fans and grabbing his crotch as he left the field in a 1999 game. He also was banned from a casino after police said he threw a cigar at an employee at a craps table.
But fans of Ditka like his no-nonsense approach.
this is hilarious. with Jack "Don't Cry, It's Such a Turnoff" Ryan out of the Illinois Senatorial race, the Republicans have completely lost their minds.
Could "da coach" pursue a new title as "da senator?"
A group of grassroots GOP loyalists are trying to recruit former Bears coach Mike Ditka to run for U.S. Senate or Illinois Republican Party chairman in December.
But are they serious?
"Dead serious," said Tom Pence of Oswego, a Kendall County GOP committeeman who co-founded the Web site www.draftditka.com.
The goal of his group is to gather 10,000 signatures to convince Ditka to lead the Republican Party after Chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka ends her term.
"I think Judy has done a great job bringing new people to the party," Pence said. "There are some young Republicans interested in rebuilding the party, and who better to lead than the coach of the only Super Bowl Chicago Bears team?"
A separate group, sparked by "draft Ditka" supporters, took the movement a step further and commissioned a poll to test Ditka's viability as a U.S. Senate candidate. The 504 likely Republican voters polled in an unscientific Internet survey picked Ditka overwhelmingly from a list of possible contenders to replace GOP nominee Jack Ryan. Ryan announced last month he would withdraw.
The poll got the attention of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington, D.C., which has been involved in the vetting process for a Ryan replacement.
In fact, the chairman of the national committee, U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), has a personal connection: His father, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach George Allen, coached Ditka.
"We're aware of (Ditka's name) being out there, but ultimately we know the people making the decision will be the State Central Committee," said Dan Allen, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
A spokesman for Ditka did not return phone calls.
Ditka has been involved in Illinois GOP politics for the past decade.
Two years ago, he hosted a fundraiser at his downtown Chicago restaurant for Republican attorney general candidate Joe Birkett, and later introduced President Bush at a DuPage County Republican rally.
"It would certainly elevate the national stature of our race, and he could be an Arnold Schwarzenegger-type of candidate," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, a member of the State Central Committee, which will chose Ryan's replacement on the ballot.
"If Mike Ditka's professional schedule would allow him to campaign, I'd love to talk to the coach," Dillard said.
Ryan announced last month he would withdraw from the race after allegations from his divorce file became public. His ex-wife alleged during a custody dispute he took her to sex clubs and wanted to have sex with her in front of other people.
That "character test" could be a problem for Ditka, who is well-known for losing his temper. He apologized and was fined for flipping his middle finger at New Orleans Saints fans and grabbing his crotch as he left the field in a 1999 game. He also was banned from a casino after police said he threw a cigar at an employee at a craps table.
But fans of Ditka like his no-nonsense approach.
