I’m surprisingly relieved that Mike Ditka isn’t running for the Senate. It’s not that I was concerned he’d be a good candidate; I was just afraid he’d win.
When running a campaign against a celebrity with no experience, knowledge, or political skills, everything that matters is thrown out the window. The race is suddenly and instantly void of substance and policy discussions. A carnival atmosphere ensues and the better ringleader wins. Barack Obama is a brilliant and capable man who will make an excellent senator, but a ringleader he’s not.
A Chicago Tribune columnist noted earlier this week what a Ditka-Obama debate would almost certainly be like.
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.)
The column was probably meant to be funny, but I thought it might be more realistic than the writer realized.
Fortunately, with Ditka declining an invitation to run, this scenario will be avoided. But, with four months before the election, will any Republican jump in and give Obama a fight? The state GOP is putting on a brave face.
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, the state’s Republican chairwoman, said that despite Ditka’s rejection of a potential candidacy, “we have many other candidates that could be star players” to replace Ryan on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Sure you do, Judy. Sure you do.
The Political Wire noted this morning that attention has shifted to Jim Oberwies, who finished second in the primary for this nomination, and John Cox, who ran a couple of years ago, both of whom are millionaires. Of course, Oberwies has already turned down one invitation to jump back into the race, while Cox seeems to have limited interest, at best.
Keep in mind, Jack Ryan, who left the race last month after his pseudo sex scandal has technically not taken his name off the ballot.
Ryan himself is hindering the party’s attempts to get back on track by failing so far to carry through on his announced withdrawal. He still has not officially taken himself off the ballot — leading to nervous whispers among some Republicans that Ryan’s national talk-show rounds lately might be groundwork for an attempt to stay in the race.
Indeed, if you swing by Ryan’s website right now, the lead text is not about Ryan thanking his supporters for their efforts during his campaign (past tense), it’s the same message that was there when his campaign was in full force:
“Jack Ryan, 44, brings a fresh face to Illinois politics in his bid to succeed retiring Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald. With control of the U.S. Senate at stake, Jack’s life experiences and passion for giving back to the community make him the best candidate to keep this seat in Republican hands.”
Maybe this is just a campaign that didn’t bother updating its website, or maybe this is a campaign who believes the party might forgive and forget, giving Ryan another shot.
For what it’s worth, if I were a betting man, I’d say Ryan will be the GOP nominee once the party realizes none of the other possibilities are worth pursuing.
Stay tuned…