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Ditka for Senator?!

Posted by bean | July 13th, 2004

Well, I can’t help it. Once again, I’m going to discuss the Senate Race in Illinois. People may recall that everyone in the world, including me, commented on Candidate Jack Ryan’s little snafu. Ryan bowed out of the race.

Evidently, the GOP is having a trouble finding a replacement candidate. The rumor mill reports that they may draft Mike “Da Bears” Ditka as replacement candidate.

The story provides no hint about Ditka’s stands on any issues, but indicates he is a stalwart Republican and sees himself as very conservative.

I love the final two paragraphs in a Chicago Tribune article:

“I don’t know if Ditka would play [for voters] over the long term,” said one prominent Republican.

“But in a condensed process, if you don’t put him on until August, all of his crazy Ditka-isms could work.”


==============
Now for the jokes!

jimmy greenfield of the Chicago RedEye, who suggests this candidate:

I humbly put forth another icon, one that is beloved by many and, without a doubt, far more tasty.

Due’s deep-dish pepperoni pizza.

Now, I haven’t discussed this with the pie itself, nor do I know its political leanings, but I’m convinced it would be a popular choice with both older and younger voters, many of whom also are eaters.

Rick Morrissey a sports columnist at the Chicago Tribune, also notes that neither voters nor journalists really know Ditka’s political views. Here is Morrissey’s prediction about said views:

But only a debate with Obama, the Democratic candidate, will really let us know what Candidate Ditka is all about.

Let’s listen in:

Obama: “I’m particularly concerned about the economy. We have thousands of people in the state of Illinois who are unemployed. Too many good, hard-working citizens are having a difficult time making ends meet.”

Ditka: “It’s nothing that a good steak at Mike Ditka’s Restaurant, 100 E. Chestnut St., wouldn’t solve.”

(Audience cheers.)

Obama: “I’m not sure what that has to do with the issues, Mr. Ditka. We’ve got a real problem out there.”

Ditka: “Well, it’s a lot like the 1985 Bears …”

(Audience cheers louder.)

Obama: “If we could get back to what’s important to the voters of Illinois. Now, my idea of leadership … ”

Ditka: “Tell me again how many Super Bowls you’ve won, pal.”

(Audience members carry Da Coach out of the room on their shoulders.)

I’m sure more jokes will follow!

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4 Responses to “Ditka for Senator?!”

  1. josh Writes:
    July 15th, 2004 at 12:39 pm

    Ditka was mentioned on a Chicago newscast I saw the other night as being staunchly against gay marriage, for what it’s worth.

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  2. lucia Writes:
    July 15th, 2004 at 2:29 pm

    Ditka has announced he will not run… much to the chagrin of late night comedians I am sure.

    This comment was written by lucia.
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  3. James Writes:
    August 30th, 2004 at 12:57 am

    Is it too late to get Ditka on the Presidential ticket?

    This comment was written by James.
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  4. lucia Writes:
    August 30th, 2004 at 6:16 am

    I think it is way too late!

    At least this story might suggest last Friday was some sort of key deadline. Race for Senate turns from odd to kind of wacky Although, it turns out Keyes almost didn’t get on the ticket himself. It turned out in Illinois, the precise rules for replacing the candidate for US Senate are imprecise. ( The article says “silent”) Some Republicans on the committe to certify the ballot balked. Then the committee consulted with the DNC’s lawyers, and decided the procedure seemed to be ok and the ballot got certified– provisionally.

    Meanwhile… Keyes doesn’t seem to really be sort of “joining” the local Illinois party– in the sense of being a team player. The story about the GOP delgation to the convention is here. (Quote from Barr-Topinka, the head of the Republicans here in Illinois: “He has his own agenda. He doesn’t necessarily work within the confines of the Illinois Republican Party,” she said. “So, we really don’t know what Mr. Keyes is doing, when, until he alerts us. He lets us know–when he feels so moved to let us know–where he is.”)

    Oh… and on Saturday, Keyes, who need to really jumpstart his campaign was .. where? Not Illinois meeting voters. Not rubbing elbows with GOP delagates in NY. Washington DC.

    Yesterday, just as I turned on the tv, I caught the end of an interview between Walter Jacobsen and Keyes on the topic of gun control– all I saw was Keyes denying that he said something reporters say he said. (I was too late to know what Keyes supposedly said.)

    Anyway, this seems to be just as entertaining as watching Ditka.

    This comment was written by lucia.
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