Holtz is still trying to find out if he is politically correct

Lou Holtz is 72 years old and a fixture as an ESPN college football analyst, but that hasn’t stopped him from eyeing a bigger prize: a seat in Congress.

The Orlando Sentinel reported Holtz met with top Republicans in Washington last week and said he was interested in mounting a Central Florida challenge to U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach.

“You put him in the ring and it’s all but over,” John Dowless, an Orlando-based Republican consultant, told the Sentinel. “He’s on TV, he’s likable, the name ID is huge and people respect him enormously.”

Holtz, however, has left a video trail at ESPN that might be insurmountable. Last year, he caused a stir when he called Adolf Hitler a “great leader” when comparing Hitler to Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez. Holtz later issued an on-air apology.

“Holtz has said enough things on TV,” said Roger Handberg, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. “And because of this I’m sure he’s said enough stupid things.”

Trivia time

Who was the first African American batter to face an African American pitcher in the major leagues?

He needs to take more kare with his komments

Denver Nuggets fans are concerned about J.R. Smith’s spelling. Smith’s Twitter feeds are littered with the letter K, often replacing the letter C, leading to the assumption by some fans that Smith is writing in a code associated with the Bloods street gang.

On a post Sunday, Smith wrote, “Vegas here I kome!” Last week he wrote, “Kant wait to get bak in the swing of things.”

The Denver Post said messages to Smith and his agent, Arn Tellem, were not returned. Monday morning, however, Smith posted on his page a warning to his followers to “watch what you say on here, it gets me into a lot of trouble!”

A drink to their health

Russian soccer fans planning to travel to Wales for next month’s World Cup qualifier have been advised to take precautions to prevent swine flu: drink Welsh whiskey.

“Welsh whiskey is on offer to Russian supporters as a disinfectant,” said Alexander Shprygin, head of the national team’s fan club. “This will relieve any symptoms.”

Britain’s Health Protection Agency reported the number of new swine flu cases reached 110,000 in the last week of July.

Fifty-five swine flu cases have been confirmed in Russia.

Russia’s top doctor advised the country’s citizens to avoid traveling to Britain, but Shprygin said, “Nothing will stop the Russian fans.”

Trivia answer

Hank Thompson of the New York Giants faced Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.

(Question and answer provided by William Stringfield of Long Beach.)

And finally

From reader Jeff Loeb of San Diego: “Is your column’s near daily mention of Michael Vick tied to the fact these are the dog days of summer?”

--

mike.penner@latimes.com