For Blackwell and Swann, 2006 May Be Different

realclearpolitics.com ^ | January 31, 2006 | Peter Brown

[paudio]

For almost two decades, national GOP leaders handpicked black sacrificial lamb candidate in races no Republican could win. Those candidates generally got the 10-15 percent of the black vote white Republicans garner.

But 2006 may be different.

Ken Blackwell in Ohio and Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania lead polls of Republicans in advance of spring primaries.

Both are mega-swing states where the governorship is what matters since the chief executive controls patronage, judicial appointments and multibillion-dollar budgets.

The key for the Republican Party's future is not so much whether Blackwell and Swann win in November - although that would be a heck of a statement - but if they win the primaries in which the electorate is virtually all white.

Blackwell is clearly the most conservative candidate --generally the key in a GOP primary.

Swann's lead is at least partially due to his name recognition as a former Western Pennsylvania football legend for his years as a Pittsburgh Steeler Hall-of-Fame wide receiver, and ABC football commentator.

If either wins nomination, it will challenge the notion that the GOP is an all-white party. Even if one, or both, does so, it is an open question whether either can do better than the paltry black vote Republicans typically get.

[paudio]

Ken Blackwell, Lynn Swann, and Michael Steele. Three Republicans who happen to be black. If any--or all--of them is elected, the Dems will be scared to death for their long term prospect.

[RWR8189]

This would be a terrible blow to Democrats, and you know what I'm talking about.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I know this sounds incredibly shallow of my neighbors but I also believe it to be very true.

If the Steelers win the Super Bowl on Sunday Lynn Swann will be the next governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Nostalgia runs extremely deep in these parts.

[ken5050]

And Swann's win may well carry Santorum over the finish line as well..

[ajolympian2004]

Exactly... Lynn Swann coattails. Who'd thunk it?

[ajolympian2004]

Victory Starts Here" video: (From Wed. Jan. 4th)
http://www.lynnswannforgovernor.com/HDTV/details.aspx?id=11

Lynn Swann's new website:
http://www.lynnswannforgovernor.com/

Pittsburgh KDKA channel 2 story on Lynn Swann announcement (Wed. Jan. 4th)
http://kdka.com/video/?id=12259@kdka.dayport.com

Pittsburgh KDKA channel 2 extended interview with Lynn Swann (Wed. Jan. 4th)
http://kdka.com/video/?id=12253@kdka.dayport.com

[ajolympian2004]

January 5, 2006

Lynn Swann Running For Governorship Of Penn., Discusses With Hannity (AUDIO)

Lynn Swann, former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, appeared on The Sean Hannity Show to discuss his run for the governorship of Pennsylvania. Swann answered each question fully with no spin, including ones about why a football player is getting into politics.

Biography:

Swann was an All-American at the University of Southern California, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st pick of the first round in the 1974 NFL Draft. Swann is best known for his play as a wide receiver from 1974 to 1982 with the Steelers, the only team for which he played. He was a member of four Steelers Super Bowl champion teams, was named the Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl X in January, 1976, and earned three Pro Bowl selections.

DOWNLOAD - .MP3

[stocksthatgoup]

Could it be the Levies on the Democrat plantations are about to break? Could blacks finally break away from their liberal Democrat masters?

[marvlus]

This would be a terrible blow to Democrats, and you know what I'm talking about.

LOL. You mean the plantation people?

[ClaireSolt]

Seems to me it is also encroachment into NE bllue territory.

[PSUAdam]

We can do this. George Bush lost in 2004 by only 2 points. Pennsylvania is BARELY a blue state. The only reason for the GOP loss in '04 is Philadelphia, which the Dems "Kerry"-ed 80-20. If Swann can cut that down, even to 70-30 by bringing out some centrist blacks, then he wins.

[jmaroneps37]

"We can do this. George Bush lost in 2004 by only 2 points. Pennsylvania is BARELY a blue state. The only reason for the GOP loss in '04 is Philadelphia, which the Dems "Kerry"-ed 80-20. If Swann can cut that down, even to 70-30 by bringing out some centrist blacks, then he wins."

Absolutely agree. I was on the ground in 04 for the 72 hour task force. We worked the Northeastern corner of Pa. We had a great time and helped lots of down ballot candidates.
If they do another 72 for Santorum and Swann, I'm there. Blackwell and Steele will win. Blackwell because Ohio is a GOP state that will not let the Taft thing blind them to what the rat stands for. In Maryland the evil donkey will end up nominating queazy no se fume and he has already killed his own candidacy by coming out for gay "marriage".
That alone will put 25% of the Black vote in Steele's hands.
He is a statewide known candidate. That will put him over.

[PSUAdam]

I'll be there too. I grew up and have family in Scranton, PA and now live in Upstate NY, where I found employment after college. If it looks like there is any chance to make this succeed I'll work phones or go door-to-door and do whatever I have to do.

[kevkrom]

Ken Blackwell, Lynn Swann, and Michael Steele. Three Republicans who happen to be black.

That's a trifecta I would love to see pay off.

[kevkrom]

The only reason for the GOP loss in '04 is Philadelphia, which the Dems "Kerry"-ed 80-20. If Swann can cut that down, even to 70-30 by bringing out some centrist blacks, then he wins.

He doesn't even need to do that if he can make Pittsburgh competitive. It's pretty much been Pittsburgh & Philly vs. the rest of the state; making either of those cities less than a "lock" for the 'rats should mean a GOP landslide victory.

[brwnsuga]

This is so exciting to me.

[HostileTerritory]

Philly is 5-6 times the size of Pittsburgh.

[smith288]

This would be a terrible blow to Democrats, and you know what I'm talking about.

No I doubt it will make a bit of difference. They will be slandered just like Powell and Rice are.

[randita]

f either wins nomination, it will challenge the notion that the GOP is an all-white party.

Although this sounds nice, the author is dreaming. Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, Condi Rice, and other high ranking blacks in the Bush Administration haven't made a dent in that notion. Because if you're a black conservative, you're not really black. Black is a culture and a political idealogy and has little to do with the color of one's skin, it would seem. After all, Bill Clinton was the first "black" president and he's about as pale skinned as they come.

[eureka!]

Hence, the Washington Compost's recent "study" showing the GOP is racist. Here's hoping more blacks leave the plantation, and you know what I mean.....