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I can make a website saying I'm pro-bestiality and pro-vivisection, but that doesn't make it so. Yes, in the last two weeks his website has articulated a few soundbite positions. You can find the same sort of stuff (although granted not pro-life professions) on Specter's website as well. Until Swann actually puts forth an actual agenda or some policies beyond the typical political soundbites, I'm not getting excited.

One thing I've been advocating for awhile is that either Swann or Scranton (although it's now a moot suggestion in his case) and even to some extent Santorum (even though it isn't a federal issue) get behind the proposal of the Commonwealth Caucus of congressional Pa. Republicans regarding the property tax issue. It is one of those issues that would resonate and their proposal would address a couple of issues. (Plus it is embodied in 4 bills already in committee, even though the Republican higher-ups in the House and Senate are trying to bottle it up). It would also be a good contrast to Rendell's slot-machine boondoggle scheme for property tax rebates.

In a nutshell, the plan completely eliminates both business and personal property taxes. This would make Pa. a very attractive target for companies looking to relocate and could be used to revitalize areas hard hit by the collapse of steel and manufacturing like Pittsburgh and Allentown. It would also require that any other taxes used to fund the schools would have to be eliminated - this would include that portion of the Philadelphia wage tax used to fund Philly schools - again, something that would be noticed by potential voters. In addition, the state sales tax would be lowered from 6% to 5% (or from 7% to 6% in Philly and Pittsburgh because of the stadium boondoggles). The downside would be that the sales tax would be expanded to include both goods and services instead of just goods. In my opinion, this is a ready made agenda for Swann to endorse that would give him a lot of traction across the political spectrum.