Ridge urges GOP to unite behind Swann

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | May 31, 2006 | Mike Wereschagin

[NorthEasterner]

Ridge urges GOP to unite behind Swann By Mike Wereschagin TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Former Gov. Tom Ridge urged Republicans to put aside their misgivings about Lynn Swann and unite behind him in his bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.

[cricket]

Pathetic they need to be 'urged'. . .These Repubs better put their money where their mouth is. ..or. . . 'mouths are'. . .so to speak.

[AGreatPer]

I heard Swann speak last Tuesday at his press conference here in Harrisburg. He presented his plan for something. I didn't understand a thing he said.

Still don't know what he is for.

Oh, I will vote for him only because of my hatred for Rendell.

But I don't find Swanny the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to politics.

[MarcusTulliusCicero]

Gee, do you think maybe the Pa. GOP will understand why primaries are things to be encouraged rather than suppressed? That's where your candidates get vetted so they don't have to play catchup in trying to explain their issues at general election time. You probably heard him trying to explain his property tax rebate plan that is basically Rendell-lite, i.e. no casinos.

[AGreatPer]

I turned around and asked my neighbor friend who is also a reporter at KYW in Philly. "What did he just say?". After the meeting he said, "What the Hell was that?".

Swanny is treading water and not swimming anywhere.

Very disappointing.

[AGreatPer]

Marcus, when a room full of reporter come out of a meeting and go to the Spot Restaurant for a hot dog and they all look like, what do I write, you know it was a bad presentation.

[OldFriend]

Well, reporters couldn't possibly understand anything kerry ever said. Nor hilary for that matter.

When they love the candidate it doesn't matter what is said, the press dons the kneepads very well.

[El Gato]

Why is the republican base always being asked to lay aside it's misgivings? Why aren't the "moderatates" (RINOS) asked to ignore theirs, in the interest of party unity.

That said, I don't anything about Swann's politics, but have the dark suspicion that neither does he.

[Russ]

I guess we could say the same thing about Fast Eddie, too. Other than favoring the gambling interests and going around the state handing out checks where does he actually stand on the issues? I haven't heard his policy position on immigration, crime, or even property taxes. At least I know Swann is against any amnesty for illegals and in favor of overturning Roe V. Wade. I can't claim to know where Rendell stands on either issue.

[mjolnir]

Pathetic they need to be 'urged'. . .These Repubs better put their money where their mouth is. ..or. . . 'mouths are'. . .so to speak.

What do you expect? The state looks like it's not even gonig to re-elect Santorum, so why would they give Swann a chance?

Somehow I feel like, if Pat Tommey had been nominated and elected, Santorum wouldn't be in trouble and Swann would have had a better shot. Instead, one month of poor campaigning and the polls do a 180. I don't care how much trouble he has presenting his ideas, they can't be worse than Rendell's. Losing that fight seems to have sucked the spark Pennsylvania GOP... What a costly mistake President Bush and Senator Santorum made!

[AGreatPer]

I honestly believe that saying nothing at this time is part of the stragegy. Heck, who pays attention to a Governors election during vacation times. Only the hard core.

Prediction here: Swann's only hope in the future is if he comes out swinging for three things:
1. Property tax reform. (and his current plan is not underatandable)
Support for the war on terrorism.
Border issues.

Honest, I would like to love Swann. But I don't now. He may be able to run specific patterns on a football field, but he sure can't tell us where he's going now.

In a word. WishyWashy.

[OldFriend]

I don't get it. I heard Swann speaking early on when he first decided to run and thought him quite articulate.

Sometimes handlers can be the death of a campaign.

[George W. Bush]

Why is the republican base always being asked to lay aside it's misgivings? Why aren't the "moderatates" (RINOS) asked to ignore theirs, in the interest of party unity.

That's a very good question.

[Owen]

>>
1. Property tax reform. (and his current plan is not underatandable)
Support for the war on terrorism.
Border issues.

>>

LOL. Why would the race for governor of Pennsylvania have anything to do with border issues?

[GregH]

PA Republicans should get a clue and get behind Swann who is way better than the slimy Rendell. Whats with these PA Repubs? They gave us Specter, surely they are not that idiotic.

[GregH]

uh oh...Border issues are not a State issue and a Governor is not responsible for it.

[cricket]

When they love the candidate it doesn't matter what is said, the press dons the kneepads very well.

They do; ; ;but apparently, not ALWAYS the easy case for those wearing those kneepads.

I think - along the same lines. . .you play the hand you are dealt.

Pensylvania Repubs better jump into the game here because in the end. . .what matters is that Repubs WIN. . .and and not Demrats. . .

Everyting else, does not matter by comparison . . .period; be it one. . .two; or three, or more. . .

[cricket]

Losing that fight seems to have sucked the spark Pennsylvania GOP...

. . .much of what passes for Repub politics is now, sucking the spark out of the many in me; and suspect I'm not alone

. . .although, I should speak only for myself.

[cricket]

. . .although, I should speak only for myself. . .

Given the earlier contributions. . .am wondering just WHO iS. .speaking for 'moi'. . .ANYbody?

That said, a late update on Repub politics - nothing has changed. . .