Too bad Swann and Blackwell didn't run campaigns as well.
Swann and Blackwell had different environments to run in. I agree Steele ran a better campaign, but I don't think either of them would have won even if they had run better campaigns.
Blackwell would probably have won in a landslide in 2002 or might still be able to win a comeback bid in 2010, but this year the environment is just poisonous for R's in Ohio because of Taft.
Swann is running against and incumbent, and has little experience, and Rendell is one of the most experienced Pols in the nation.
I'm not saying I don't like Swann or Blackwell, just saying they had very different challenges.