Posted on 02/13/2006 9:01:14 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann said in a televised interview Sunday that he would sign legislation banning abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court ever voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
''I would sign — if the legislation came to me, I would sign it,'' Swann said during an appearance on ABC News' ''This Week with George Stephanopoulos.''
In a wide-ranging interview that provided some of the most detailed insight yet into his policy positions, the National Football League Hall of Famer also said he'd support a constitutional amendment now before the state Legislature that would define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
He also said he'd oppose a bill raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.15 an hour by 2007 because he feared it would make the state less competitive with its neighbors.
Swann, who began his voting life as a Democrat, also called on black and minority voters who traditionally vote Democrat to be ''more open about the party of choice.''
''Minorities give their vote to the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party has given them lip service in terms of being involved in the party and in being major players,'' Swann said, pointing to such high-profile Bush administration officials as Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as evidence of the GOP's commitment to diversity.
The brief interview aired one day after Swann became the first black to accept his party's endorsement for governor.
Though he faces a likely primary challenge in May, commentators are already looking ahead to a November match-up between the former Pittsburgh Steelers star and Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
Good man.
Good for Swann.
So far, so good.
Yep - seems pretty good. He was interviewed and told that many considered him not qualified. He said that was a compliment - the reason he's even viable is that people are fed up with the professional politicians.
Swann's trash just became the object of Democrat desires. :-)
''I would sign — if the legislation came to me, I would sign it,''
It sounds like he thinks it would never be passed by the PA legislature. He's probably right.
swann is the man
VP material????
Maybe he is shooting higher than governor...
I wish people would stop trying to play mind-reader and casting aspersions.
Besides, Pennsylvania is an uncommonly pro-life state and would be likely to pass strong abortion restrictions or a total ban.
Don't underestimate PA... while I agree the latest bunch of trolls in Harrisburg need to be flushed.. this state is very much a pro-life state for the most part. It may vote D (largely because of Philly) in national elections, but Pro Life is a winner here.... Even the Democrats know not to squawk about it near election time.
Didn't PA have a strong pro-life democrat governor not too long ago?
Swann could not possibly be any worse than Fast Eddie. I'm voting for Swann, should he get the nomination.
Yes, we did and his name was Casey. His son is now running for Senate against Rick Santorum. Casey the younger is also pro-life, but getting backing from the Dems. It's not that they want Casey, but they want to get rid of Santorum.
Only too true. Many outsiders describe PA as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in the middle. Or call PA Pennsyltucky.
Running as an unflinching Pro Lifer! That will help him and Rick.
Swann can use the fact that he's not a professional politician to his advantage very effectively with the outrage in the state over the illegal pay raises.
If I was in the state,,, he have my vote for sure.
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