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Swann's Team 88 campaign website:
http://www.lynnswannteam88.com/
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Posted on 01/04/2006 2:20:26 PM PST by ajolympian2004
Campaign rally scheduled for 6 p.m ET today. (Wed. Jan. 4th)
And Lynn Swann will be on the Sean Hannity radio show Thursday January 5th to talk about his just announced candidacy for Governor of PA. (confirmed by Sweet Baby James)
Former Steelers star Lynn Swann declared his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday in the city where he made his name in professional football.
He told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday afternoon that made up his mind to run in the fall, after spending months weighing support at events around the state.
Swann, a longtime TV football commentator, faces three other candidates in seeking the Republican nomination for governor - his first run for political office.
The winner of the May 16 primary would likely face Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who is expected to seek a second four-year term.
Swann planned to kick off his campaign with a Wednesday night rally in Pittsburgh, followed by appearances in Altoona and Scranton on Thursday, and in Philadelphia, Allentown and Lancaster on Friday.
A Hall of Famer who spent his nine-year pro career with the Steelers, Swann still lives near Pittsburgh.
He has worked for ABC Sports full time since his retirement from football in 1983.
Swann, 53, has not held political office. If elected, he would be Pennsylvania's first black governor.
His announcement came as no surprise.
His political committee has been raising money for his campaign for nearly a year, though he was the last of four known Republican hopefuls to make his candidacy official.
The other candidates are former Lt. Gov. William Scranton III, state Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola and Jim Panyard, the former director of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association.
The immediate focus for most of the candidates is the endorsement of the Republican State Committee at its Feb. 11 meeting - a stamp of approval that could be crucial in deciding the primary.
The competition for support from committee members is said to be intense, and candidates who don't win the endorsement often drop out of the race.
Panyard is not competing for the endorsement.
Swann has so far revealed little about his political philosophy or the initiatives he would pursue as governor.
He has advocated reducing certain business taxes and said he opposes abortion rights.
He said Wednesday that he hopes to convince blacks that he is a better candidate than Rendell, the former Philadelphia mayor.
The Democratic Party has "taken the African American vote for granted," Swann said.
In independent polling, Scranton and Swann are running ahead of the other two GOP candidates, but behind Rendell.
Swann told the AP on Wednesday that he has raised $1.6 million and has $1 million in the bank.
Rendell said recently that his campaign committee ended last year with about $12 million in the bank.
A Tennessee native, Swann grew up in California and graduated from the University of Southern California, where he earned a degree in public relations.
Swann moved to Pennsylvania when the Steelers drafted him in 1974.
The team won four Super Bowls with Swann during his years on the team, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
He lives in Sewickley with his wife and two sons.
He is primarily a football analyst and reporter for ABC Sports, though he also has covered events such as horse racing and the Olympics.
He serves on the boards of three companies - the H.J. Heinz Co., Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Wyndham International Inc. - and has been the national spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America for 25 years.
G. Terry Madonna, a pollster and professor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, said Swann needs to convince voters that he has ideas and the leadership ability necessary to turn them into policy, but that Swann also could benefit from disenchantment with the state and national governments.
"Voters are looking for fresh faces," Madonna said. Swann "has a personal story to tell that's compelling."
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Swann's Team 88 campaign website:
http://www.lynnswannteam88.com/
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That guy could catch! :D
good lookin family.
"TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN"
GO, LYNN, GO!
Swannie is an articulate and attractive candidate, and what little he has discussed of his policies definitely shows a Conservative tilt. Scranton is not exactly "a fresh face" in PA politics. Swann has a chance, and certainly brings some excitement to the campaign.
Go get 'em Swanee. There's no way Fast Eddie can keep up with you. You can take him in the home stretch.
I wish he was running for senator instead. Maybe he might give Santorum a push.
ping
I don't know alot about his politics yet, but the race pimps are going to have a hard time making him out to be an uncle-tom. That aside, he seems to be another good role model for young black, excuse me, all young kids - I wish him all the luck in the world. I'm sending him money so more kids will hear him.
Wow - that property taxes video said absolutely nothing about what to do about property taxes. No info on the site either.
A capped percentage? Limited home value growth?
Maybe I'm still exhaused after the ugly 2006 campaign where no one said anything that had any substance.
Is it wrong of me to want details?
Rendell just shyt a serious brick. Swann could turn out to be an empty suit and get his arse kicked, but somehow, I doubt it. I think PA would be his for the taking.
I live in PA and was an invester with Swann {in the 80's & 90's} in the gas business. He is an honest man. I've sent him a donation and will continue to donate and will volunteer to work on the campaign. If the pubbies can elect Swann in PA, Steele in MD and Blackwell in OH in 06 maybe the black voters across the Country will notice that the pubbies have elected more black Govenors and have a black senator, not to mention Condi Rice etc, etc, etc.............. When will they wake up?
FYI ping. You probably know this, but just in case......
Get ready, Lynn, because by the end of this election season, the Democrats and their useless idiots in the press will have you labeled as an Uncle Tom, Wife Beater, Gay Basher, Religious Nut, Out of the Mainstream Wacko, Anti-environment stooge for "Big Business," etc. Expect oreos to be tossed at you at events as well.
Remember - black Republicans CANNOT succeed; it kills the Democrat party. Be prepared to have Chuck Schumer check out your credit rating as well.
I hope he wins. Would love to watch the immaculate reception.
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