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Sat 11 Feb, 2006 06:45 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's Republican Party leaders endorsed former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann for governor Saturday, virtually guaranteeing that he will be the candidate to face Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell this fall.
"I haven't cried this much since I was inducted into the Hall of Fame," Swann told the applauding crowd as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Swann, 53, was unopposed for the endorsement, which came in a unanimous voice vote during a meeting of the 300-plus-member Republican State Committee at a downtown hotel.
Swann is seeking to become Pennsylvania's first black governor. Though he has revealed little about his political philosophy, he has said the Democratic Party has "taken the African-American vote for granted."
He didn't shed any new light on his platform Saturday, but castigated Rendell as too willing to raise taxes to finance his initiatives.
Rendell's spokeswoman Patricia Enright dismissed Swann's comments as "vague platitudes and baseless attacks." With Rendell as governor, she said, "Government is leaner and we have an all-time record number of jobs in the commonwealth."
The Republican State Committee also endorsed Jim Matthews, the brother of the host of MSNBC's "Hardball With Chris Matthews," for lieutenant governor. He's now the commissioner of Montgomery County near Philadelphia.
Jim Matthews, 56, joked Saturday about going from being known as "Chris Matthews' brother" to "Lynn Swann's running mate."
Swann now faces at least token opposition in the May 16 primary from retired business advocate Jim Panyard, who did not compete for the party endorsement.
A novice in politics, Swann remains a sports celebrity and his name is as inextricably linked to Pittsburgh ?- the state's second-largest city ?- as Rendell is tied to Philadelphia, where he once was mayor. Rendell is seeking a second term.
At the end of 2005, Rendell had more than $12 million in his war chest. Swann's campaign ended the year with about $1 million.
Swann was a wide receiver for the Steelers from 1974-83 and led his team to four Super Bowl victories. After retiring from football, he worked as an ABC Sports commentator. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Can Swann do an arnie? Not sure, Edgar but isn't arnie doing a swan dive?
I don't see why not. If Brett Favre ever chose to run for office in Wisconsin, it would be a landslide... regardless of his politics.
I dunno I liked Arnie's movies and Swann's catches before politics. Guess they get loaded with cash and become...
This is a tough place to be...I recall in 2002 when Rendell was running for governor of Pennsylvania. He was a likeable guy and I even got to see him and shake hands with him during the Pittsburgh Columbus Day parade (which was oddly about 5 or 6 days before Columbus Day). I also got a nifty 'Rendell for Governor' poster courtesy of Rendell henchmen who were wandering along the parade route following the people tossing candy out at children (it was a weekend not to be soon forgotten). Now, you bring in the likes of a former Steeler that could create a lot of confusion for the people of Pennsylvania (this post will add the rest of the mind twisting).
Not being a resident of the Commonwealth of PA I clearly won't be part of this election vote. If I were; well, then I'd need to have more info on what Swann really thinks and believes...beyond the Democrats having taken the African-American vote for granted. Hopefully Mr.Swann will be presenting his ideas in the next few weeks.
OCCOM BILL wrote:I don't see why not. If Brett Favre ever chose to run for office in Wisconsin, it would be a landslide... regardless of his politics.
That would be, Bill, just be one more shining example of the vacuousness of the America voter?
Incredibly, Swann told ABC's George Stephanapoulus that if the SCOTUS oerturned Roe that would make abortion illiegal in the US.
He also said the Geoege W. Bush wasn't a politician when he ran for Governor. He was an enterpreneur!
Bush an enterpreneur!!!?? If digging dry holes for oil is an enterepreneur, just call me J Paul Getty!
Hello J.Paul... (guess it's time for your next screen name, eh RoxxxNikkiChris...)
JTT wrote:OCCOM BILL wrote:I don't see why not. If Brett Favre ever chose to run for office in Wisconsin, it would be a landslide... regardless of his politics.
That would be, Bill, just be one more shining example of the vacuousness of the America voter?
Ignoring the damn near unreadable quality of your question's structure; nope. He's almost universally liked, a proven leader, extremely candid and a man who could actually get a majority of constituents to listen to his speeches. Hell, we should start the grass roots campaign right now. On second thought; Brett Favre for President!
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