Despite "storming" out of a meeting:

House Speaker Dennis Hastert and several top Republicans, including state house GOP leader Tom Cross, [are] expected to endorse the idea of a Ditka candidacy Wednesday night at the Navy Pier... unknown whether Ditka will attend...

Why would the GOP be so interested in Mike Ditka? Perhaps they think or know that he'll basically do what they want. He'll be colorful, but he won't rock the boat.

Meanwhile, 2nd place primary finisher Jim Oberweis is largely ignored. His apparent sin? Opposing illegal immigration. If the GOP leadership is behind Ditka, expect him to be "compassionate" just like Bush on this issue.