Former Steeler Swann's political bliss may soon pass

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 2/4/2006 | AP

[serendepitylives]

Former Steeler Swann's political bliss may soon pass

Saturday, February 4, 2006

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - If 2006 ends for Lynn Swann as well as it started, he's sure to be Pennsylvania's next chief executive and Gov. Rendell will go down in political history as One-term Ed.

In January, Swann swiftly amassed more than enough unofficial support in regional caucuses of the Republican State Committee to clinch the committee's endorsement for the GOP gubernatorial nomination next Saturday.

The former Pittsburgh Steeler reached that mark just as his old team was heading for another Super Bowl game and Steeler-mania was sweeping the state. Even Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones — star of the Super Bowl's halftime show — complimented Swann before a horde of reporters in Detroit as he admiringly recalled the wide receiver's graceful athletic style.

But Swann's bliss could be short-lived.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

From the tone of the article, I believe they see Mr. Swann as a force to be reckoned with and are now running scared. Alot of free publicity and fond rememberances of number 88's exploits with the earlier Super Bowl Steeler teams. Scranton appears to not have any grass roots support behind him; and Rendell has that non-vouchered payraise stuck to him like Mr. Swann used to have Oakland Raiders. Governor Swann, R, Pa., has a nice ring to it...

[EDINVA]

please ping me to the article, thanks

[serendepitylives]

oh yeah!

[Sisku Hanne]

A reminder for those outside of PA...Fast Eddie Rendell was the former DNC chair during the 2000 elections. He will have an army of mainstream media minions at his beck & call. Swann's national fame & starpower will gather media attention like Scranton could never hope for. When the Steeler win tomorrow, look out baby!

[onyx]

Your thoughts?

[socialismisinsidious]

"Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton, is urging the committee not to take sides in the race."

wonder why....


never mind:

"the caucuses showed that a clear majority of the state GOP's senior leaders prefer him over Scranton."


Scraton and Eddie baby both know that Swann can win. They saw what we did with Toomey....they know Swann can win Pittsburgh b/c of football and he calls it home. Anyone remember the commercials that ran here with his wife and the singing doctor for Allegheny General? Swann can win Philly too....he has a great personality and he will take some of the black vote from Eddie.

Go Steelers!

[Ann Archy]

The evil Dems will spread a rumor about Swann....just watch.....they will try to destroy him!!

[GraniteStateConservative]

I still don't understand why his bliss will be short-lived? Because his competition for the nomination won't drop out after Swann wins the state committee's endorsement? Because he'll have to spend money now, instead of later? These aren't problems. Swann will have no trouble raising cash once he becomes the nominee, and probably sooner. And Scranton will only keep Swann sharp. Swann knows how important it is to be tested every Sunday against guys who want to break your legs-- literally and figuratively, in politics.

Even if Swann loses, the fact remains that he is the best possible person to be on thge ballot this fall.

[Sisku Hanne]

Presidential results in Philadelphia county were 125,727(R) 524,752(D). In Allegheny county they were 268,387(R) 363,674 (D). I think Swann will deliver Pittsburgh fairly painlessly, but definitely not Philly. BUT, he will be able to peel off enough votes to hurt Fast Eddie big time. And if we get some kind of voter ID legislation in place...well one can only dream of ending the breathtakingly flagrant voter fraud in Philly.

[b4its2late]

The libs won't know what hit them.

[cyborg]

?

[LdSentinal]

He'll get a boost if the Steelers win tomorrow.

[jocon307]

"Ed "I signed the big legislative pay raise" Rendell."

I'd bang that gong as hard as possible from now to election day.

[Mo1]

Swann is ahead of Rendell in the polls by a few points

I'll admit that Swann needs to be tested .. but I have a feeling he'll pass the test

Plus many in PA are sick of candidates the GOP shoves down our throats

The last election .. though Fisher is a nice guy ... he didn't have a chance with Rendel

[cinives]

How about Eddie "I raised the state income tax 30%" Rendell ...

[onyx]

I so want Swann to win and to win BIG!

[USS Alaska]

Blackwell, Ohio; Swann, Pennsylvania; Steele, Maryland

The demonRAT's worst nightmare.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

If Swann delievers Pittsburgh, that should be enough to get him over the top. Bush lost Pittsburgh, Philly and its suburbs, but still got to within three percentage points in the end.

[Sisku Hanne]

Even closer than that- it was Bush 49%, sKerry 51%. What I wonder is, will those manufactured Dem votes impact the gubernatorial race to the same extent? Personally, I don't think so.

[Bernard]

Any White liberal is vulnerable to a Black conservative. If Swann is successful in 2006, consider the impact on a "Draft Condi" movement.