Posted on 04/12/2007 12:24:01 PM PDT by mainepatsfan
Swann considers running for Congress Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann said Thursday he is weighing a run for Congress.
Swann, a Republican who lost Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race last fall, said he has been approached to run for the Pittsburgh-area seat held by Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire.
"I'm still collecting information," Swann, of Sewickley Heights, Pa., told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "People are still talking to me about it."
Swann would not say who has talked to him or when he plans to make up his mind.
"It's a process. It's not a matter at this point about whether it's something I thought about doing in the past or would think about doing in the future," Swann said. "It's a matter of getting information and keeping an open mind."
Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver for the Steelers, made his political debut in a run against Gov. Ed Rendell in November. Before that, he had worked as a reporter and analyst for ABC Sports.
In his race, he advocated slashing state taxes, limiting spending and overhauling the local property tax system. But Swann couldn't keep up with Rendell financially, raising about $11 million to Rendell's $32 million.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
That is a seat he definitely could and should win. I would love to see him run.
Too bad he’s not considering a run against Jack Murtha. I love Diana Irey, but getting rid of Murtha really has to be Job #1.
Is this your district, Smooth?
If so she should run again. She was a great congresswoman.
Lynn Swann is an intellectual and political lightweight.
He must have some info on how he did there when he ran for governor.
It’s a shame that he couldn’t get elected governer. I put a lot of time into his campaign, but voters here in PA were stupid enough to re-elect Rendell, who now wants to increase taxes EVEN MORE. I really hope that he wins that congressional seat because PA definitely needs more social conservatives.
It wasn’t exactly the best year for a Republican to be running.
After his pathetic run for governor, I’d say forget it, Lynn.
That’s what he should have done last year. But better late than never.
I do not think a conservative can win in PA. The only Republican left in this state with any power at all is Specter. The situation in Ohio may be worse, as the Dems ran the table there last year as well, and would not even re-elect DeWine.
Without either PA or OH it is impossible for a Republican to win in November 08, which is why I am backing Rudy.
Conservatives run in PA and do win, on a good scale. Problem is, these guys aren’t conservative. That’s why Mellie got spanked.
Swann’s problem was that he never did anything for the party before he put himself up for governor.
We knew it was a lost cause.
Altmire is my district. I think Swann might be able to win it.
Its where he should have started in the first place.
He’s black, and he’s a home town boy. But will Pittsburgh ever vote Republican? It doesn’t seem likely. I’m no expert, but it would be a pity to run and lose, because I think that would pretty much finish him off for any future chances.
I do agree with you in terms of credentials though. Hart kills Swann in that regard.
The district is outside of pittsburgh and has a goodly Republican base.
Very true. I supported Toomey in the primary. At the time, all the conservatives said about Specter what they are saying now about Rudy. That they'd stay home in the general. If they did stay home, it didn't matter. Specter got 65 percent of the vote in the general election after barely squaking by in the primary.
That, and the California experience whereby Schwartzenegger gets over 90 percent of the Republican vote, is how I learned that the "we'll stay home" argument is phony.
Most conservatives have enough good political judgment to see that you take the best plurality you can get. That is why Giuliani will win.
I’d say he was out of his league to run for governor, although a lot of people I know voted for him and he is head and shoulders above Spendell. This is something that seems more do able. Go for it Swann!
Specter got 53% in the general.
If the Unions had turned on him, he would have been under 50%. So ya,, you got a union owned RINO senator, horray.
My mistake, sorry. He did beat his opponent by 11 points, though. Rudy is the only Republican who beats the entire Dimwit field in PA according to Quinnipiac. That much I am pretty sure of.
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