The Paternos and Bush. Yesterday, President George W. Bush was campaigning in Pennsylvania. And, President Bush had at his side perhaps the most influential celebrity in all of the Keystone State. President Bush was introduced at a York rally by none other than the immortal Joe Paterno -- legendary head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Paterno referred to President Bush as "one of the greatest presidents of our time." And, Paterno ought to know since he's been around long enough to have some perspective on the issue.
(AP/George Widman) 
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You can only imagine how all this makes me feel. My love for President Bush is surpassed only by my love of Joe Pa. This is not Paterno's first experience with endorsing a Bush for President. Joe Paterno offered Pennsylvania's nomination of George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Republican convention.
Scott Paterno, Joe's son, also spoke at a Bush rally during the PA trip. Scott is running as a Republican for the congressional seat currently occupied by Tim Holden. All I can say about this is: Let's go State!
(Thanks to Pennsylvanian Jason Kline for the telephone tip on this).
Senator Iron Head? Republicans in Illinois were sent scrambling for a new senatorial candidate when Jack Ryan recently withdrew from the race due to the release of the salacious details of his divorce from actress Jeri Ryan. Since it's a little late in the game for a new man to enter the race, Republicans figure that they need someone with star power if they have any chance at all of winning this race. So, in the state of Illinois, if you can't have Michael Jordan who would be your next best pick? That's right, Mike Ditka. Although it is still speculation at this point, Ditka's name has surfaced as a possible candidate.
