WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling is downplaying speculation that he may run for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat - but he's not ruling it out either.
"I've got a lot on my plate, so as of today, probably not," Schilling told NECN radio Wednesday, when asked if he's mulling a run. "I don't know, going forward. That's a pretty big deal from a commitment standpoint."
The six-time All-Star pitcher, a Republican who campaigned for John McCain in last year's presidential race, said he had been contacted about running, but he would not say by whom. He also declined to offer a timeline on when he might decide, saying only, "I'd have to make a decision pretty quickly."
Even if Schilling decides against pursuing the Kennedy seat, he still sounded an awful lot like a political candidate in the radio interview.
"My hope is that we're past that, that we're past the whole R and D thing," he said when asked how a Republican could win a statewide race in blue Massachusetts.
"My hope is that we understand now more than ever that we're in a place where we need to put the good people above all else," he said. "People without ties to special interests, people with integrity and ethics and 'Country First' values in office, regardless of the letter than preceeds their name."
But he also admitted that he might be a bit too outspoken for politics.
"One of the reasons I wouldn't be a good political candidate right now is that there needs to be an enormous about of house cleaning now, and I don't have a really good filter," he said. "Actually, my first press confernce could be my last as someone on the political scene."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Please, oh, please, oh, please...
The only thing more universally popular than the Democrats in MA is the Red Sox.
You have got to be kidding me! Schilling is noting short of a dumb man with a fastball. He's about as electable as almost any other almost-former athlete, and has the same to offer the electorate – nothing!
Oh yes, I'm sure Massachusetts will welcome a Bush loving baseball player as their new congressman.
You are aware that Massachusetts folk have the highest IQ of every state in the union?
Let him run. NO Republican is getting Ted Kennedy's seat.
Schil,
Run as a reformer. Bash the other guy as a terrorist sympathizer. Quit half way through your term, ink a book deal and hit the speaking circuit.
Another 'highly qualified' Republican candidate like Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford...
This total loser would get crushed by any Democrat he runs against. What a right wing joke!
if you have mccain on your side you wont win buddie
Hey Schilling. We'll never be past the R thing and the D thing as long as the R thing is the way that it is. Adding another big mouth like yourself is one reason the R thing won't change. The halls of congress will be another Hall you'll never get into.
All right!!! Another celebrity politician. Lets see if you can do for your state what The Terminator & Dutch/Gipper did for their state.....RUN IT INTO THE GROUND!! God help the people of Massachusetts if they elect this washed up, mindless simplton, ex athelete who can't stand not being in the limelight.
I am sure people want a pampered over paid athlete who has no understanding of reality to represent them. But, as a republican congressman, it would be a lot like his pitching rotation, work one day, and then you are off four days.
Schilling made a big difference helping out McCain in 2008. This awesome political achievement shows how he can take over Kennedy's Senate seat and represent the wishes of Massachusetts voters. Voters have repeated elected and re-elected politicians connnected to baseball, such as George W. Bush and Jim Bunning.
What! Another republican celebrity. Move over Chuck Norris.
But the real republican test is, "Can he say "No!" to healthcare reform?"
Any member of the Celtics would be a better choice.
Now this is truely HOPE and CHANGE. Go get em kurt!
Yeah he made a big difference helping out McCain in '08, didn't he? Schilling's problem is that he is a member of a political party that represents greed, sanctimony, and false morality and is out of touch with mainstream America. He'd have a better chance becoming an analyst on Faux News.
Seriously DOUBT that the state that repeatedly elected Sen. Kennedy would do an about face, and elect......... a GOP candidate.
Save your time and money Mr. Shilling.
I hope he does run, but a common-sense, tell-it-like-it-is guy won't win in Massachusetts, probably the only state left of California. Not to mention the fact the liberals are some of the most mean, spiteful people in the country. Godspeed with whatever you decide, Schill. P.S. Also wish the Phillies didn't trade you for four scrubs!
As a Boston resident and Red Sox fan, I can say without remorse that I hate Curt Schilling haha
There is no longer an R and D think Mr. Schilling. There's only a "Smart' vs "stupid" thing going on now adays.
Republicans are stupid, proved by their failed policies and their tin foil hat conspiracy theories. Rather then set to work fixxing the country, the most the retarded republican party can do is cry and whine, never offering any "SMART" solutions.
Sir, you are welcome to be a republican, after all...you know what they say about athletes...dumb as dirt. You should fit right in with the republicans then.
He has to be better than Al Fraken an 'Buy the Seat' Burris.
I completely agree with the R and D thing; however, I would not vote for him because I believe he is too conservative.
Please let me know who Curt might run against so that I can support that person. Schilling was a jerk as a baseball player and will probably be even a bigger jerk as a politician.
If it was up to wealthy republicans, we would still be paying our taxes to England. They would have said "No!" to the American Revolution. Come on MA, say "No!" to a republican.