Ex-coach Lou Holtz considering running for Congress in Central Florida

[Are_grits_groceries]

WASHINGTON - After earning nearly 250 wins on the college gridiron, former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz is eyeing another competition -- as a candidate for Congress in Central Florida.

The famed skipper and ESPN analyst met with top Republicans here last week and said he was interested in challenging first-term U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D- New Smyrna Beach, according to four GOP officials who did not speak on-the-record because they don't know if Holtz actually will run.
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Holtz already lives in the east Central Florida district, near Lake Nona. And though he's never run for office, he has a reputation as a loyal GOP soldier. In 2007, he gave an hour-long pep talk to Republican House members still stung from losses in 2006.
<snip>
But for all his potential advantages, a Holtz campaign would come with its own problems. For one, Holtz, 72, is much older than a typical rookie candidate; if elected, he likely would not hold the seat for very long. And his history on television isn't without controversy.

Last year, he called Adolf Hitler a "great leader" when comparing the Nazi Fuehrer to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez. He later issued an on-air apology.

"He has a personality in sports, but I don't know how that translates to politics," said Roger Handberg, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. He warned that Democrats almost certainly would comb past Holtz broadcasts to find other incendiary statements.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-holtz-considers-congress-080309,0,1852438.story

Start checking. Holtz probably has made a lot of comments that are off the wall. Why do people insist on saying positive things about Hitler?

[PretzelWarrior]

1. hop the Republicans bring lots of towels to his speeches.

or should I say SPeethes.

[DrDan]

2. Suzanne Kosmas has been a great rep so far

it would be a true shame to have her replaced by a football coach . . .

But it is central Florida - an area that also elected Tom Feeney.

[LittleGirl]

3. Used to work at Notre Dame

while Coach Holtz was there. It was a love-hate relationship with the University. He was let go but nobody knows why except those in the know. I always found him to be inspiring but I was a conservative (idiot) back then so I'm not sure if I would agree with anything he believes anymore...now that I've crossed over to the other side. ya know?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Isn't he like 103 years old?