Posted on 02/02/2006 12:20:28 PM PST by presidio9
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann appears to have locked up enough support to win the Republican Party nomination for Pennsylvania governor. In the last regional GOP meeting before state Republicans meet to endorse a candidate, the NFL Hall of Famer on Tuesday picked up 33 unofficial commitments from party representatives. If they all follow through, he will have just over the 180 votes needed to win the party's official endorsement on Feb. 11. Swann, 53, is seeking to become Pennsylvania's first black governor. Though he has revealed little about his political philosophy, he has said the Democratic Party has "taken the African-American vote for granted." Supporters say his high profile and charisma make him the best candidate to take on Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who is expected to seek a second term. Swann's leading opponent for the GOP nomination, former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton, 58, has sharply criticized Swann's qualifications and promised to stay in the race through the May 16 primary with or without the party's backing. Scranton's deputy campaign manager, Mike DeVanney, sought to downplay the significance of the straw voting Tuesday. "This was a divided caucus. There's not clear support for Lynn Swann's candidacy," he said. Swann was a wide receiver for the Steelers from 1974-83 and led his team to four Super Bowl victories. After retiring from football, he worked as a commentator
I'm a Conservative and a main street Republican as opposed to a Wall Street Republican. I've heard Swann interviewed and I don't know what he stands for or why he's running. Sure, Reagan had no experience in government before he ran for governor of California, but he spent years writing on issues of national and international importance; he traveled across the country for G.E. and gave political and economic speeches; he had strong political beliefs while he was an actor. Supposedly, it was one of the reasons Jane Wyman grew tired of him.
What is Swann? An attractive, personable celebrity who's a football hero in Pittsburgh. That's about it. Rendell is an experienced pol, a smart lawyer, a former prosecutor. Think Swann can stand up to him in a tough debate? He'll eat Swann alive.
Isn't anybody bothered that we don't know squat about Swann's political philosophy? Haven't we learned anything about the Harriet Miers flap? What kind of mandate would he have if he won, if voters have no idea what they're voting for? The only way to get any promises from him would be in the Republican primary. Once he wins that, it's too late as he'll have plenty of room to go left to beat Rendell as few Repubs will vote for Rendell over Swann. If he wins, THAT leftist move would become his mandate!
I think you underestimate Swann and don't give him enough credits. I also think Fast Eddie would be a fool to debate him. It would be a Nixon/Kennedy redux. Fast Eddie has a terrible voice and spit balls up and flies out the corner of his mouth when he talks. It's disgusting. Everyone is so ticked off at him that seeing his face would remind them of how badly they want him out. Swann is very telegenic and polished speaking off the cuff from his commentator experience.
Better a football player than another lawyer.
?n?����?[?�ed at his website or heard him on national media he has talked of his philosophy and positions. In Englandd people have 3 short months to get to know a candidate before elections. PA voters have plenty of time to see what Swann is all about.
sorry- don't know what happened there.
i agree with what youre saying. i think that most pennsylvanians would vote for a black man. the poster said that poeple he knew would never vote for a black man. well, rendell is jewish and id bet that if they are racist enough not to vote for swann, they wont for rendell either.
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