Posted on 12/09/2004 4:12:07 AM PST by Prov1322
Gov. Swann? Lynn might make a run Ex-Steeler seeking backing now
By CHRIS BRENNAN brennac@phillynews.com
TAKE Pennsylvania politics, mix in pro football and that can only add up to Gov. Rendell. Right?
Think again.
Lynn Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver who got a taste of politics as part of President Bush's re-election campaign this year, yesterday confirmed that he is thinking about running for governor in 2006.
"While a decision is not imminent, he is discussing the issue with family, friends and political leaders," a spokeswoman for Swann said, reading from an e-mail he sent her in response to questions from the Daily News.
That could pit Swann against Rendell, who does a Philadelphia Eagles post-game television show for Comcast SportsNet.
It might also set up a Republican primary battle between Swann, former lieutenant governor Bill Scranton III and state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola.
Bob Asher, a GOP National Committeeman from Montgomery County, said Swann called him Tuesday seeking support.
Swann will make his pitch to Republican leaders this weekend in New York City during the annual Pennsylvania Society event.
"I think if Lynn Swann stays in it, you'll see an interesting year as everybody moves around and builds support," said Asher, who has not decided on a candidate to back in 2006. "I think right now it's wide open."
Piccola yesterday said Swann called him Tuesday to say he was interested in making a run for governor. He praised that courtesy, calling Swann "a class guy."
Piccola, who will also be drumming up support at Pennsylvania Society, said he is "97 percent" sure he will run for governor.
"I'm way down the road," Piccola said. "I'm gearing up."
Scranton did not return phone calls yesterday.
Swann has also been making calls for support from Republican leaders in the General Assembly.
Rendell seems well-positioned to win re-election in 2006 after navigating through a Republican-controlled Legislature a package of campaign promises that includes legalizing slot machines to increase education spending and lower property taxes.
Democrats and Republicans have taken turns since 1971 controlling the governor's office for eight years.
Speaker of the House John Perzel yesterday said Swann could be a strong candidate in western Pennsylvania but weighs that against the eight-year supremacy of sitting governors and Rendell's ability to raise cash.
"Somebody is going to have to have the wherewithal to raise the money to run against a guy who can raise $50 million," said Perzel. "It's going to take an exceptional individual or something drastic for that to change."
Swann was co-chairman of the African-American steering committee for the Bush-Cheney campaign this year. Bush appointed him in 2002 as chairman of the President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. And Swann spoke at the Republican National Convention on Sept. 2.
In an interview with Fox News later that night, Swann was asked why he is a Republican.
"They provide platforms, and they don't give people crutches to walk on," he said. "They give them tools to build. "
Swann, contacted this week at his home in Sewickley Heights, near Pittsburgh, referred calls to his company, Swann Inc.
Fans can visit his company's Web site to view his career football statistics, book him as a paid speaker or purchase a $200 autographed football.
Swann was a first-round draft pick for the Steelers in 1974 after playing in two Rose Bowls for the University of Southern California. He helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls, ending his career after the 1982 season.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Swann reports on college football games for ABC Sports.
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© 2004 Philadelphia Daily News and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.philly.com
And Rocky Bleier for Lt. Governor... or dare I say Terry Bradshaw... nah, even though I'm sure Terry is a Republican.
This is the future of the Republican party and our best hope for long term survival: High profile athletes knocking off the rising stars of the Democrat party. When John Elway gets tired of selling cars and Karl Malone stops driving his truck, we may have two more to join Swann in the ranks of state governors.
I doubt Lynn can crack the black vote ( and fraud) in Philly
He will be painted as an Uncle Tom etc etc and Rendell,as the "First Black Governor ala Clinton "
It works every time
but what the heck does he know about running a state?
Just because a person has cable TV doesn't mean they're qualified to run billion dollar operations.
Maybe if he ran for Lieutenant Governor and got some administrative experience he could become a political force in Pennsylvania.
I'm normally the one to say that senators don't normally get elected president because they don't have reputations for "running billion dollar operations."But then, Ronadus Maximus ran for Governor of California without any lower-level executive experience. It turned out that the qualities that he did have, his experience in the Screen Actors' Guild and his deep analysis of the problems of the day, actually qualified him to be an excellent governor and in the top 10% or so among presidents.
No one was touting GWB for president 12 years ago; back then he had never held elective office and was a long shot to defeat Governor Richards.
If Swann is the second coming of J C Watts, and if instead of becoming a legislator from a reliably red state he becomes governor of a swing state . . . So by all means let Mr. Swann run for governor, and if he has the right stuff he can win and, in a matter of a few years, become presidential timber.
But as to running for Lieutenant Governor, that is no way to start out a political career - even if you win, what executive authority do you really have? The vice presidency isn't an executive position, it's simply political heir to the executive position. Only three sitting presidents have seen their vp elected to succeed them - and Adams wasn't Washington's running mate. The other two sitting presidents were Andrew Jackson and Ronaldus Maximus.
I have to respectfully disagree here. His personality was very lacking. I lived, across the street from him. He was so rude to his fans that it was embarrassing. I remember one incident at a restaurant, sitting at a table next to him. I could also see a man with his son, sitting several tables away. The son was very excited. His father walked over to Jim, and I must agree, should have waited until Jim finished his dinner; ask him to sign his son's baseball cap. Jim angrily refused to sign the cap, told the man to see his brother who is in charge of publicity. He told the man that he doesn’t give autographs. With all the negative energy he expelled, he could have been gracious, and signed the cap. I was shocked at his behavior. There were several other children who wanted and did not get an autograph. Perhaps the illness of his son mellowed Jim. I certainly hope so.
I also was present in a restaurant, while OJ Simpson was playing for the Bills. He and another player were eating lunch. A man came by, sat down in his booth, and began talking to both of them. They talked to this man for a good 10 minutes, signed autographs and then finished their lunch. He was the complete opposite of Jim Kelly. I know, OJ is a killer, but still, he knew how to treat and respect his fans. Another time, OJ was picking up his dry cleaning, a fan asked for an autograph, he set his clothes on hood of his car, signed the autograph, picked up his clothes, got into his car and drove away. It takes as much time and energy to say no, as it does to just sign his name. Just MHO.
Would it or would it not be sweet irony to have two men of African descent inaugurated in early 2007 as new governors in what are the most pivotal eastern-midwest States, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and both wearing a capital "R" next to their names.
From what I hear it will be Congress. He even attended numerous Bush rallies around the country this past Summer.
What the hell is the point of this? Do they ask all Republicans this question or just the black ones? BTW Swann is my favorite all time player.
Charles Barkley used to be big friends with Rush but I notice he sounds kinda whiny lefty lately. He needs to stop hanging with the ESPN types. They all strike me as left wing types.
won't dent the Philly black vote but will clean the mat with Rendell among Iron-swilling Western PA Union Democrats.
Until I saw a couple of Swann interviews this past election year where Swann defended his choice of GW, I thought that Lynn was hired to be just a good looking black guy on the sidelines for pro football games.
Lynn is a class act, and he should be a good candidate.
I can just see the racist rat political cartoons doing their Condi Rice Racist Treatment of Lynn. Then the left wing blacks saying Lynn isn't black enough. That will backfire on them even worse than their racist treatment of Dr Rice.
Not to give Kelly any breaks because to many athletes think they are above the rest, but is it possible this was during his sons fight for survival? Perhaps he was discussing it with his friend and the fan came up at a bad time. Just wondering.
No, he wasn't married at that time.
What a fascinating way of putting it:
Dimocrats give people crutches,
Republicans give them tools!"
What the hell did Arnold S. know about running California? You provide leadership, a program, and attract good people and the people will follow.
Senate seats are state-wide, unless you're not talking about the U.S. Senate.
Wow! Lucky us, in PA. Lynn Swann is a smart, classy guy, a great Republican, we would be lucky to have him as our governor, and it would be great to be rid of Rendell. Pittsburgh, that Dem/union haven, is fortunate that he chose to make his home there after finishing his stellar football career. My son and BIL met him (bummer, I wasn't along!) a couple years ago. I can't really say enough nice things about him. Let's hope!
and JC Watts and Tom Osbourne and Jack Kemp and almost Steve Largent. All Republicans too.
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