Lynn Swann for governor?

[Ben E Lou]

Those from PA or nearby: does he have a legit shot at winning?

Lynn Swann Forms Gubernatorial Committee



<TEXT id=txt_posted>POSTED:</TEXT> 10:20 am EST February 24, 2005


<!--startindex-->HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann has filed papers forming a campaign committee, his first official step toward a possible 2006 bid for governor.

The filing by Swann, a Republican, allows him to begin raising money. He filed the papers yesterday, on the eve of his first public speech as a potential candidate -- at a Westmoreland County Republican dinner."

Swann named his committee "Team 88" -- the number the wore during a career as a wide receiver that won him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Swann faces at least two prospective opponents for the GOP nomination next year -- state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola of Harrisburg and former Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton. The nominee is expected to take on Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who is expected to seek a second term.

[sabotai]

My impression is that Ed Rendell is pretty popular and will be very hard to beat. But I'm in the Philly area at Philly is very democratic so that could be part of it.

[cuervo72]

I'd think Rendell could be hard to beat too.

[stevew]

If Swann had played for the Eagles, i'd say he would have a better chance of winning. He should definately do well on this side of the state tho, good name recogntion, favorable opinion.

[Comey]

Rendell's not as popular as you think. He's ticking off a lot of people here in Harrisburg. I think it'd be hard to get rid of him (PA has a history of giving Governors two terms), and a rookie Lynn Swann may not do it.

The fact that he's from Pittsburgh also doesn't help. The two big cities don't exactly like each other, and if it came down to a pissing contest between the two, Philly would win (higher population).

[Passacaglia]

Happy birthday, Comey!

[Comey]

You too!

[stevew]

Rendell's not as popular as you think. He's ticking off a lot of people here in Harrisburg. I think it'd be hard to get rid of him (PA has a history of giving Governors two terms), and a rookie Lynn Swann may not do it.

The fact that he's from Pittsburgh also doesn't help. The two big cities don't exactly like each other, and if it came down to a pissing contest between the two, Philly would win (higher population).


I think Swann's only chance would be if he could cut into Rendell's base in Philly, and take away a good amount of his minority voters.

[Passacaglia]

You too!

Thanks! A good day to be born!

[SlapBone]

At least he's not running for governor of Texas.

He has tramautized us enough (edit: he has traumatized all Texas NFL fans. I forgot that the had the greatest catch of his life against Dallas). .

Which reminds me... could the people of Tennesee please come pick up the stigma they left here in Houston for the "greatest second-half choke of all time" their team gave up to Buffalo on January 3, 1993.

[mhass]

I've heard some polling shows Swann ahead of Rendell. But since he hasn't declared, those aren't going to be terribly accurrate.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

So was last year his swann song as a broadcaster?

[Poli]

I figured there'd be at least one mention of this:

LynnSwann4Governor.