Senator Ditka?

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Ditka glad he turned down 2004 bid against Obama
Mike Ditka says he has no regrets about passing up Republican Party overtures to run against Barack Obama for U.S. Senate in 2004.

Da Coach said he thought about it for perhaps two days before declining.

"The hypocrisy of both parties" is what annoys him about politics, he told the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post last week at an event for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

"You're not there to represent a party, a special interest. You're there to represent America, the people that elected you. They don't do that. I'm sorry, they don't do it! And you can't make all these promises when you're a candidate, and none of them happen."

I could think of a lot worse cantidate for Senator. Given Obama's thirst for power and given the quiet backing he had and the dirty tricks he played getting Senator Ryan out of the picture it would have been quite the interesting race. I don't think Ditka would roll over and play quiet...