Santorum closes gap, Rendell widens lead

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | May 4, 2006 | David M. Brown & Brad Bumsted

[GOPwatch]

Santorum closes gap, Rendell widens lead By Brad Bumsted and David M. Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, May 4, 2006

HARRISBURG -- Aided by a $1-million-plus TV advertising blitz, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has opened a 14-point lead in his re-election campaign against Republican challenger Lynn Swann, according to the latest Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/WTAE-Channel 4 Keystone poll.

The statewide poll of 578 registered voters released today also showed U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn Hills, has pulled within six points of his likely Democratic challenger, state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., of Scranton.

[Al Gator]

You're right.

I'm getting older, and the campaigns run together now.

Thanks

[Al Gator]

Didn't Katz run some dumb butt ad too?

I seem to remember there was a controversy over one or two of his.

[Coop]

Eddies got this one unless he shoots somebody. Even then, he may get it.

I find your claim rather absurd given the "all powerful" incumbent can't break 50% in the polls.

[Al Gator]

We'll see how "absurd" it is in November.

This is Pennsylvania, national rules do not apply.

You Swann guys, keep up the good work!

Me, I'm getting the roaster bag ready.

[Coop]

We'll see how "absurd" it is in November.

It will still be absurd, no matter what happens in November. Your laughable omnipotent incumbent claims, if true, should translate into something well over 50% in polls. Apparently they do not. You're blowing smoke. Yes, Rendell can certainly win in November. Unfortunately for you so can Mr. Swann.

The only one who brought up "national rules" was you.

[smoothsailing]

The latest Rasmussen, before Diamond got in and the governor of Philadelphia started his ads...

April 29, 2006--The Pennsylvania Governor's race remains very close, but the possible entry of an independent challenger has the potential to shake things up in the Keystone State.

Republican Lynn Swann, the former football star, now leads Governor Ed Rendell (D), 44% to 41%. That's the mirror image of last month's result  (see crosstabs).

All four of polls on this race conducted in 2006 have found the candidates within three points of each other. Swann has ranged from 41% of the vote to 45% in the four polls, Rendell from 41% to 46%....

[Al Gator]

Go watch some more tv. You guys who think a candidate must have 50% to win re-election are just parroting what the talking heads fart.

For Ed to lose, he needs a viable opponent. Swann is not it.

The oldsters in the state, who no one 'polls' will decide who wins.

If Eddie only has 20% in the 'polls', he will win.

You don't have any good handle on the voting numbers in this state, so your whole assumption is absurd.

I'm not blowing smoke. I'm a republican trench worker who's been doing this stuff in this state for more years than most have been alive.

In this case, Swann gets NO MONEY from the party. He is running on low fast.

Eddie doesn't need but 10% to win against NO OPPONENT.

That you can't figure that out is really absurd.

[Al Gator]

". Yes, Rendell can certainly win in November. Unfortunately for you so can Mr. Swann"

BTW Coop baby, you ASSUMED I was Eddie fan.

You know what they say about Assume!

I'm a hard core, extreme right, etc,etc.

But I am also a political realist who doesn't let fart gas get in my eyes.

[Coop]

You don't have any good handle on the voting numbers in this state, so your whole assumption is absurd.

You're incorrect. And overall you're blowing smoke.

[Coop]

BTW Coop baby, you ASSUMED I was Eddie fan.

You mean how you assumed I was a "Swann man" and "watch TV?" I love it when you blowhards whine when your own words are used against you! :-D

[Antoninus]

49% for an incumbent mayor is nothing to write home about. I'd say Swannie is in a pretty decent position right now.

Ditto. Most people aren't even aware there's a governor's race going on yet.

The fact that the election is happening at the height of football season doesn't bode well for Fast Eddie either.

Go Swannie!

[Al Gator]

As usual, you are WRONG again.

When and where did I assume you were a Swann fan?

I knew you were just some guy from another state who "thinks" he knows it all because some talking head told him how to read "numbers".

I'm tired of numbskulls who know nothing.

I have something else to do.

[TheForceOfOne]

Rick Santorum & Swann will get my vote.

2006 PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS

General Primary May 16
General Election November 7

[Coop]

I'm tired of numbskulls who know nothing.

You're not the first to be afraid of a little competition.

[Coop]

Hey, before you go storming off, Al. Here's some reading for you. And these folks use words like "trenches" to describe themselves, and theyre from the Keystone State. Yet you're the only one who seems to think Swann won't get financial support. Go figure! :-D You sound like a ticked off Scranton straphanger to me.

Swann faces fund-raising star
...Swann, 53, of Sewickley Heights, shouldn't have trouble raising money now that he has clear coasting to the nomination, said Jerry Shuster, a political communications professor at the University of Pittsburgh. "Frankly, the Republicans smell victory, and that's what will bring out the money," Shuster said...

But Allegheny County Republican Chairman Bob Glancy, who was a strong Scranton backer, said he believes his party will unite behind Swann. When Scranton called Glancy on Tuesday to ask his opinion about staying in the race, Glancy said he advised Scranton "his best course was probably to drop out" considering Swann's obvious momentum.

"I don't think there is any doubt that Lynn Swann can raise the money. I think he will be a very good candidate," Glancy said. "I think the message that the Republican Party is delivering to defeat Ed Rendell is quite clear."

Glancy's comments were echoed by state Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, a Scranton supporter who had hoped to be Scranton's running mate.

"In the end we'll have to retire Rendell, and we'll unite behind Lynn Swann to get that done," Turzai said...

But okay, I'll take your word for it that Rendell doesn't have a serious opponent... because you're in the Pennsylvania trenches! :-D

[GOPwatch]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/zito/s_443838.html

[philsfan24]

im sure katz ran some dumb ones too but i cant remember for sure. it ashame how close he came to victory the first time. philadelphia would be in a lot better shape right now.

[Coop]

Good read by Salena, but she offers almost nothing but opinion. Which is okay, because she's an op-ed writer. But claims about fundraising at this point are pretty much rumor. We'll find out Friday if/when the Swann campaign files its SEC report. And no, I don't expect Swann to outraise Rendell in $$$. :-) But he doesn't have to.

I think Swannie raised about $ one million last quarter. I would expect now that he's announced & the field has cleared, that he would do significantly better this quarter. So IMHO I would view approx. $2 million as the line below which I would worry about his fundraising and campaign in general.

[GOPwatch]

check out her story in the weekly standard it is really in depth, i bought it yesterday
you will see swann file with $2 on hand, Rendell with $13.5

[GOPwatch]

here it is online http://www.weeklystandard.com/Check.asp?idArticle=12168&r=nvefv