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
To such people, there is often a difference between a "black man" and a Republican Steeler legend who is black.
You can find the article here by doing a keyword search for Swann. But.....I was wrong. My apologies I thought it was Swann by a whisker, but it was Rendell. They are virtually tied. Within the margin of error he could very well be ahead, but playing it safe, it's a tie. After the Steelers win the Superbowl, expect another boost in his numbers.
Swann is the best choice. Philly is never going to vote Republican, especially against Ed Rendell, who is still wildly popular there. But Swann may pull enough Democrat votes in Pittsburgh to win. Remember, not only is Swann a Steeler but Rendell is a huge Eagles fan and has even done commentary on Eagles games. They HATE the Eagles in Pittsburgh. The combination of a Lynn Swann candidacy and a Steelers Super Bowl appearance is Ed Rendell's worst nightmare.
There is also a large military vote in Pennsylvania, and they will not forget how Rendell tried to keep military votes from being counted in the 2004 election, while allowing felons in state prisons to cast illegal absentee ballots.
"Experience in government" is vastly overstated as a necessary qualification these days. Name recognition is far more important. Recent history is replete with people like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hillary Clinton that had no real experience before getting elected to high positions.
47% is not a huge groundswell of anger. Grayout Davis was in the 20s. That's anger!
"None of the white Republicans I know will vote for a black man, a factor no one is considering."
thats pretty sad. if they are racist enough to not vote for swann because hes black, id bet that same group wouldnt vote for a jew either.
Boy, I sure hope this is not true. I live in Bucks County and I haven't seen any of that. But I'm not familiar with the rural areas of the Commonwealth. I guess we'll find out when we see the turnout numbers.
The fact the Blackwell, Steele & Swann are all going for it in adjacent states is "hugh & series" political news. Expect a boost effect to each one of them because of it....in spite of the old media's best attempts to bury it. It also will make it harder for the Dems to do their usual race-pimping politics without being called out, in the face of such an intense political spotlight.
LOL- you have a point!
I would say you might be right...but I think Steelers fans might be able to tip the balance.
Quite literally, from what I hear...
Rendell has been falling all over himself trying to be the Steeler's number #! cheerleader, even hosting a pep rally at the capitol yesterday. Bwahahaha....dance Fat Eddie, dance!
"A guy with no experience in government."
Neither did California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lynn used the opportunity to play football at the University of Southern California to earn his degree in public relations from the university's school of journalism.
Lynn currently sits on the board of directors of three companies, including H.J. Heinz Company, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Wyndham International, Inc.
Lynn currently sits on the board of directors of three companies, including H.J. Heinz Company, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Wyndham International, Inc.
Swannie will pull at least ten points higher in Western PA than any other Republican. He'll get at least a few points more of the black vote statewide. Which equals a win.
I also remember what certain people on FR said about a certain action movie star of Austrian decent a couple years back...
I think you're greatly overestimating the degree of support Lynn Swann will get from Steelers fans. Most of the ones I know regard him as a traitor for running as a Republican, which goes against the blue collar team roots, blah blah blah whatever.
Not that there are any better candidates, but Swann is a neophyte who is going to get chewed up and spit out by Fast Eddie, who is one of the best, dirtiest political campaigners in America. Swann has never had a real job where people do not defer to him in his life; first he was a football player, then a football commentator, then he served on softee honorary committees. He is in for a rude awakening when Rendell takes the gloves off. I am sadly resigned to four more years of watching Rendell stuff his fat yob with cheesesteaks.
"I agree Swann has no chance. As usual, the Republican elite in Pennsylvania are morons. A guy with no experience in government, not even as justice of the peace, thinks he's going to be governor? What are Republicans smoking? So, it's four more years of Fast Eddie and higher taxes."
Swann is going to win. He will win because Philadelphians who are black are going to vote for a black former superbowl winning football player over a white guy. Period.
PA is BARELY a blue state, remember that too.
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