NEWS FLASH: Ditka storms out of meeting

[Walt Starr]

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

By The Leader-Chicago Bureau
CHICAGO -- This morning in downtown Chicago, Mike Ditka left a secret meeting with IL GOP decision makers, angered about the media being tipped off.


Ditka was to meet with members of the IL GOP State Central Committee and to speak via conference call with national level Republicans.

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.

<snip>

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

[shoelace414]

1. he has the temperment

of a Republican. I'll give him that.

[LittleApple81]

2. And the face. And the intellect. And the prejudices. n/t

[HereSince1628]

62. Sorry the "face" sort of threw me, what are you meaning?

That he can (and often does) be emotional and expressive? (I'm purposefully saying that in the nicest way possible).

I'm with you on the other two.

[PassingFair]

99. and the car!

n/t

[Scairp]

90. He just plain has a temper

And a volcanic one to boot. He is the last person to be in politics. Some reporter is going to ask him the wrong question and he will threaten to rearrange the person's face, and then that will be the end of the former-future Senator from Illinois. Nope, he's way too volatile to run and they've got to know it by now.

LOL, I like this bit:

Internet journalist Matt Drudge inaccurately reported this morning that an announcement concerning Ditka's possible U.S. Senate run would be made at 9:30 am.

Wow, Matt the closet homosexual yellow journalist muckraker got something WRONG. Call the New York Times.:eyes:

[Triana]

3. Oh another hot-headed, foaming at the mouth...

..Repug. We need another one of those like the heartbreak of psoriasis...

Ditka Schmitka - what a touchy little wimp. Maybe he'd better stay out of politics.

[slappypan]

4. well, that didn't last long.

next!

[MsUSA]

26. slappypan: I laughed out loud reading "next!"

I needed a good laugh too.....thanks :)

[Ruffhowse]

5. Any bets how long until Ditka's head explodes?

I want a front row seat!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Lights out, windowshades drawn, and deep in the cellar

is the only way they do business-- well hidden from the sunlight of public view. Bust 'em and they scurry back under the rocks to hide!

[DS1]

7. They only wanted him for his pills anyway

*boing*

[Walt Starr]

8. Maybe an Oberweis operative outted the meeting

Oberweis came in second, and the Oberweis supporters are EXTREMELY pissed that the Illinois GOP didn't already tap him for the job.

In the end, they'll probably have to go with the racist because apparently, he's the only one willing to be the sacrifical lamb this year.

The Illinois GOP is in serious trouble and could end up as a third party if they aren't careful.

[The Magistrate]

41. A Good Guess, My Friend

Oberweiss is certainly my dream candidate for the other side....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Norquist Nemesis]

65. That would be my guess too!

I don't understand why they don't just go ahead and put in the #2 choice, but that would be ...logical.

Yes, they know they are in BIG trouble and desperate. Thus, finding the 'electable' candidate is a must for them.

[Justitia]

9. HAHAHAHA - I LOVE when they show their true colors

Chimpy is having a hard time reining it in too lately - and I love it! Watching them come unglued under the stress is such fun.

[AndyTiedye]

47. Chimpy Isn't Even Trying to Reign it In Anymore - He Encourages Them

[hatrack]

10. Please, PLEASE run, Mike!!!!

We could enjoy the spectacle of Dit-kuhh storming out of press conferences, strategy meetings, stump speeches, conventions and debates, jumping into his Escalade and roaring off in a rage.

You just can't buy political publicity like that!!

[GoldenOldie]

13. What a terrific Political Ad

Picture Dick Cheney telling a Senator....on the floor of the Senate (the peoples house)....to "F....Off." Follow through with the Republican Gov of California groping women, killing of stray cats and dogs and clips of his movies. Mike Ditka, clutching his balls and giving the finger and at the same time using the Dick word, to the spectators/fans.

What to title??????

[SoCalDem]

28. Easy title.. "Republican Values???"

:)

[Jane Austin]

53. Did he do that?

Oh, I want pictures!!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

95. We'll need a new Chimp to entertain us after Dubya retires to the ranch

to fingerpaint his Presidential memoires.

[stevedeshazer]

11. BWAHAHAHA!

I'm so glad the "adults" are in charge now.

[Terran]

12. Ditka's always been a temperamental prima donna

If he's gonna react like this before he's even officially running, then I think the repugs need to rethink a bit.

[nolabels]

17. I liked him better when he was getting married in New Orleans

http://ashleytesoro.com/photos/gallery2.html

[Terran]

23. Ugh, sorry

He gives me the creeps.

[DS1]

25. He looks like a hard drinker

to me

[Walt Starr]

27. He is a hard drinker

Notoriously a hard drinker.

[Chicago Democrat]

74. Another ragaholic, alcoholic white man

No wonder Bush loves him so much... there are exactly alike.

[rocktivity]

14. Is that Obama guy THAT good

that the IL GOP is trying to pull an Arnold Schwarzenegger on him?

:headbang:
rocknation

[Elginoid]

24. Yup.

Obama's the man.

[rocktivity]

45. Welcome to DU, Elginoid!

:hi: :hi: :hi:
Obama's name is being heard all the way out here in New Jersey, LOL! Some as even gone as far as to pencil him in as Edward's running mate in 2012!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Hoping4Change]

66. Hey there Elginoid

Welcome to DU! Glad you're here!:hi:

[Chicago Democrat]

75. Hey Elginoid!

Wilkommen!

[SoCalDem]

15. Did he give the "Cheney Salute".. Here's a pic of the "Ditka Digit"

[Bozita]

18. See? ... He does speak Republican! ... So stop saying that!

Bob Boudelang is a pal of Ditka.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

16. Two things in that article made me laugh....

1. Ditka's picture with that big old cigar in his mouth.

2. "Internet journalist Matt Drudge inaccurately reported this morning that an announcement would be made at 9:30 am."

Drudge hasn't been too accurate with his scoops lately.

Could you imagine if (shudder) Ditka were to run and win? I can just see him storming out of the Senate if things didn't go his way.

[Frodo]

19. It would certainly make the Senate more... um.... "interesting".

But I would't rule him out. I think IL would be "tossup" at best if he were to get into the race.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. DAAAAA BEARS DA BEARS DA BEARS DA BEARS!!!!! N/T

[Chicago Democrat]

79. Polish Saasage, Dit-Ka, Da Bears, Dit-Ka, Ribs, Saasage, Dit-KA

DA Bulls, Dit-KA...Dit-KA

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

98. I'm sure glad someone remembered. That was some funny sh.....n/t

[Justitia]

21. C'mon Mike, go all "Bobby Knight" on us and throw some shit around

Please!

Woo-hoo - pass the popcorn!

[jus_the_facts]

22. Da' Ditka Senate Shuffle.....

We are the Senate Shufflin' Crew
Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you.
We're so bad we know we're good.
Blowin' your mind like we knew we would.
You know we're just struttin' for fun
Struttin' our stuff for everyone.
We're not here to start no trouble.
We're just here to do the Ditka Senate Shuffle.

:crazy:

[a_random_joel]

29. Maybe too much Levitra? Ditka's temperament...

Good for coaching.

Bad for politics.

Also bad for the ticker, if you know what I mean.

Take a chill pill...

I am an unashamed, unabashed Ditka fan. But keep your day job Mike.

[trogdor]

42. I'm surprised anyone would write him a prescription.

If you listen to the "see your doctor" bit at the end of the ads, people with bum tickers like Ditka shouldn't be taking Levitra, Viagra, or any of these other "boner" pills. Either Ditka is a king-sized moron with a death wish, or he's a fucking lying jackass for shilling this stuff.

[Elginoid]

30. I'll feel a lot better once he officially declines-

you can laugh, and say what you want-
BUT-
The Governator of California, and the former of Minnesota both got the last laugh when people scoffed at their chances of winning.

the sheeple are mesmerized by celebrity.

if the Dit runs & wins(and if he runs, he has I'd say he has a VERY good shot at winning)- look for repugs to keep repeating it more and more with right-wing celebrities all around the country.

[Odeum]

33. He has NO chance

Ditka has no chance in winning. Whats his policy? Whats his running platform?

He's just starting the race with 3 months until election.

Obama was up 25 points right before the sex scandal with Jack Ryan broke.

Ditka will loose like every Bears team since '85 has

[Elginoid]

35. ummmm....

isn't that pretty much exactly what people were saying about Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger?

there's an old saying that goes something like- nobody ever went broke underestimating the intellect of the American people...

I'll feel better once he passes...

[belle]

60. No, most people I knew figured Ahnold was going to get it

[Elginoid]

63. and most people I know feel that Ditka has a VERY good shot at winning-

should he decide to run.

[Walt Starr]

76. Do you live in Illinois?

If not, then the people you know don't mean shit.

[Elginoid]

87. Most definitely.

the people I know definitely mean...shit?

[splat]

31. cutting him loose?

Hmmm...

ABC's The Note (whose GOP sources seem to run deep and warm) this morning had,

Three questions:
So what's that we hear about Mrs. Ditka maybe changing her mind?

And what about the Draft Ditka folks' claim that half the state central committee or more is willing to back him?

And who's doing the vet?
Then this "conservative voice" runs this leak.
The money quote:

No word as to the ensuing discussion among state central committee members left at the meeting, which continued after Ditka left.

Ditka's willingness to take on the candidacy may be in doubt now.

The temper was predictable, the kind of thing he'll joke about later.
The "vetting" might have worried Mrs. D.
More political theater.

[varun]

32. Ditka describes himself as ultra ultra ultra conservative

http://www.perryonpolitics.com/archives/001847.html

In an interview with Darlene Hill from Fox 32 in Chicago, Mike Ditka made part of his platform known.


DH: ...If you decide to run, what would be your platform?

DITKA: Well my platform would be what the people want. I hate to say that, that sounds so generic, but what do people want? You talk about banning smoking. Okay, why don't we ban abortion? Let's talk about things that are really important. You know you talk about, well, you think one thing can harm your health, the other one takes a life.

Come on here, you know you're talking to a guy that is ultra-ultra-ultra conservative. So you know people who don't like that, you won't like me one bit. But I think I'm about what the majority of this people in the country are. I believe this country was founded under God. I think people who say it wasn't are crazy. But that's their biz; you know, that's me...

[argonne]

36. He really is

NUTS!

[Elginoid]

38. after reading that, i feel a LITTLE better-

but if he runs and wins, we're ALL going to feel A LOT worse.

[scarface2004]

101. ultra ultra fascist!

ditka says first thing we do....kill all the jews and nigras!!

[Elginoid]

34. on a related note- Obama to give Keynote address at Dem Convention!

just heard it on the local news in Chicago!

You go Barak!

[Neshanic]

37. "Obviously Upset" the new Ditka Comedy show on the WB

Mike is a GOP political goon, living in a house with a gay ex-quarterback and his son that has been brainwashed by the GOP. Evertime he gets upset...he storms out!Hilarity ensues!

[Elginoid]

39. Does anyone know what Gene Hackman's politics are...?

He's an Illinois native, and at least used to have a residence in Chicago in Lake Point Tower- I'm not sure whether he still does or not-

[mac56]

44. Gene Hackman's a Dem.

Said so on Larry King Live.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

40. I have a bit of info

about Iron Mike. While he may have been the prototypical NFL tight end in his day, as his career changed he didn't.
It would explain why I have it on unimpeachable authority that at least one of his first string players on the Bears referred to him as "physco-fuckin'-coach"
To me, that explains why the GOP would thinks he's a viable candidate. He's so rigid his turds probably have rebar in them....

[asjr]

54. Your last sentence just made my day! Good one!

Ditka can't stand the heat in the kitchen. What did he expect? Does he not know he is their "candidate" simply because of his name?

[Az_lefty]

43. The GOP's replacing a perv with a psycho n/t

[Trajan]

46. The next best thing about this story ....

Is that Drudge may have contributed to losing Ditka with his lame reporting .....

What a joy ...

[PROGRESSIVE1]

48. How's that so?

[Walt Starr]

51. He reproted an announcement was due at 9:30 this morning

and Ditka was pissed off at the press waiting to take a statement from him as he entered the "secret" meeting.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

57. So will he NOT be running then?

[Walt Starr]

59. Well, there was no announcement at 9:30 this morning

Instead, ditka stormed out of the meeting with the guys from the GOP who will decide who gets on the ticket.

Your guess is as good as mine as to whether Ditka will run or not. Hopefully and apparently, he won't, but ya never know with an egomaniac like Ditka.

:shrug:

[lojasmo]

49. he's as unfit as jessie

the "thin skinned body" ventura. At least Jessie held some moderate/liberal values, even if he was a big crybaby.

[DinahMoeHum]

50. Dunno about that. Ventura DID have some political experience

as a small-town mayor in Minnesota before running for governor.

:evilfrown:

[Bluebear]

52. "He's fleeing the interview! He's fleeing the interview!"

He is just emulating * though.

(thanks to Mayberry!)

[Medium Baby Jesus]

85. Ha Ha. Thanks Marge n/t

[Jaybird]

55. ditka is an ass....

an old boss of mine had a picture that he took of ditka at training camp back in the early 80's ....ditka was flipping my boss the bird after my boss had yelled his name so he would look his way.

i guess you could say he's a ''cheney republican''

[Manix]

56. Ditka is a total asshole! The repugs deserve him.

[quaoar]

58. Maybe we could have

The Battle of the Network Politicians on TV.

Sen. Mike Ditka could team up with the Governator against Gov. Ventura and Charles Barkley. Sir Charles is from Alabama and has been interested in running for governor.

I could just see Gov. Barkley heaving a couple hard-headed Alabama legislators through a plate-glass window. That would certainly break the legislative logjam. LOL

[yankeeinlouisiana]

61. Well, if we can't have the

real "Battle of the Network Politicians" maybe SNL can do a skit.

[Elginoid]

64. another very scary and REAL possibility-

Ditka on the ticket could bring a bunch of "rush limbaugh"-types(he never voted for ronnie raygun because he was too lazy to register), who might otherwise not even vote, but are energized to vote for "da' coach", and as long as they're there, they'll also vote for Bush.

Ditka on the ticket could even possibly carry illinois for Bush...

I'm willing to bet that karl rove has been behind closed doors in his office all day, masturbating to that very thought.

[Democat]

68. Wrong - because a far right winger will also bring out Kerry Democrats

The other side of what you suggested, is that the further right the candidate is, the more angry Democrats will come out and vote for Kerry and Obama. The Republicans will be motivating the left by nominating and extremist.

Ditka running would almost guarantee a victory for Obama, and should do fine for Kerry as well.

The GOP putting an extremist on the ticket will be the best thing for Democrats - if they pick a moderate, they would have a much better chance against Obama.

[Walt Starr]

69. But Ditka on the ticket getting national news

could piss off Saints fans in New Orleans to the point that Bush loses Louisiana!

[Elginoid]

70. Denial is a river in Egypt...

in case you hadn't noticed, the 'Kerry Democrats'(?) are already plenty motivated to vote by the extremist in the white house.
the people that aren't yet all that motivated are the disgruntled upper-income steve dahl collar-county types in affluent sub-urban areas from burr ridge to oakbrook to barrington to Lake Forest- they will be tripping over each other coming out of the woodwork(ing shop in the garage) to vote for 'Da Coach'.

mark my words.

and mark my words- if Ditka gets in the race, I'd be willing to put money on it...interested?

[Walt Starr]

72. I'll take some of that action

Bring it on.

It's interesting you'd join today to push Ditka.

[Elginoid]

88. pushing Ditka....riiiiiiight....

:eyes:

[oldcoot]

80. I have a better idea

Donate that money to Obama instead.

[Elginoid]

89. I donate time to campaigns i support, not money.

it's mostly a poverty thing, but I also feel more personally involved that way-

[Walt Starr]

91. Donating time is probably more important than donating money

All I can donate is money because I work too much in the city and take a train home to Aurora.

[Elginoid]

92. yikes! that's gotta be tough-

...putting "aurora" and "home" in the same sentence that is...:evilgrin:

i grew up in elgin, and it's sort of a fox river valley thing-

[Walt Starr]

97. Yeah, but where I live in Aurora

I could throw a rock and easily hit Naperville.

And my school district is Oswego.

I am also in Will county.

Go figure.

[Logansquare]

93. I hate to agree with you, but I do

WeVentura and Schwarzenegger are strong precedents. Most of these non-voting males know next to *nothing* about how their government works, but a macho celebrity will get them to the polls. It's a desperate/brilliant move by the GOP, since despite despite his right-wing bonifides, Oberweiss is as exciting as watching paint dry.

[Chicago Democrat]

78. My straw poll....Some idiotic Dems will vote for him.... BUT

MANY, MANY more "respectable" Repugs are totally turned off by him.


I SAY BRING HIM ON!!! Will make the GOP look like they are fools.

[Walt Starr]

82. I know Republicans who are Packer fans

Before the ditka trial ballon was floated, they were going to vote for whomever was the Republican and were STILL going to vote Ryan even with the scandal.

Yesterday they SWORE if ditka was the Republican candidate, they would vote Obama AND donate to his campaign!

[Chicago Democrat]

86. This is the reaction I'm hearing too... Mostly followed with...

He's a total jerk

[MaryH]

67. Perfect Temperment for a Republican.

Did he happen to flip off the reporters? Or scream at them to go fuck themselves. Those are sure signs of a Republican.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

71. Well is he in or out? I cant tell from this....

..he just stormed out of the meeting.

[Walt Starr]

73. Well, Drudge said he'd announce at 9:30

Instead, at 9:30 he stormed out and no announcement.

The guys who will decide who gets on the ballot still met, without Da Coach.

Go figure...

[ronnykmarshall]

77. Welcome to politics Mikey!

That's what happens.

I hope they run this nut job.

[VoteDemocratic2004]

81. Wasn't Ditka fired years ago?

I think that he was fired for being so obnoxious.

How can we find out about him before the republicans scrub it from the Internet if they haven't already.

[gatlingforme]

83. I believe the Illinois Leader is a Republican Newspaper pretty

much conservative. .... I would not respond to dribble as this might be or might not. I do not trust this paper.

[Walt Starr]

84. UPDATE: Ditka appearing with Dennis Hastert on Navy Pier

According to draftditka.com:

http://www.draftditka.com/

[Redleg]

94. Another celebrity Republican wannabe.

Jeebus.

[Elginoid]

96. Obama may have dodged a bullet-

per abc7 local news- Ditka "dis-inclined" to run, and per a downstate sports-radio host who's friendly with ditka- ditka ain't gonna run.
also per MRS. DITKA- it's a no-go.

i'll be a LOT happier once it's official.

[allalone]

100. he has a bad temper

pretty much storms out of places all the time