Lynn Swan Leading Rendell in Race for Governor
For an incumbent governor to be at only 43 percent in the polls at this point in the election is really bad news for him.
January 19, 2006--Our latest poll of the race for Pennsylvania governor shows Republican Lynn Swann, the former receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, narrowly leading Democratic Governor Ed Rendell 45% to 43%.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters view Swann favorably; 47% view Rendell favorably.
Swann formally declared his candidacy just two weeks ago, on January 4. But he has enjoyed early success in securing endorsements from two of six regional caucuses in his quest for the party nomination. The Republican state Committee will endorse a candidate on February 11. . . .
UPDATE: Note for the comment below, it is interesting that Democrats are so worried about Swan that they have to try to vainly argue that Swan stands for nothing.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters view Swann favorably; 47% view Rendell favorably.
Swann formally declared his candidacy just two weeks ago, on January 4. But he has enjoyed early success in securing endorsements from two of six regional caucuses in his quest for the party nomination. The Republican state Committee will endorse a candidate on February 11. . . .
UPDATE: Note for the comment below, it is interesting that Democrats are so worried about Swan that they have to try to vainly argue that Swan stands for nothing.
posted by John Lott at 7:11 AM
6 Comments:
Here we go again. Another failed GOP candidate for governor. Lynn Swann may seem like a strong candidate now, but this will come to an end if things don’t change.
Now he is the talk of the state. As celebrity with his former team going to the Super Bowl XL, he has a huge opportunity to capitalize on this free media coverage. I agree, it makes for a good story. He also seems to have the state GOP nomination in hand. Scranton, is only close competitor, has asked many times to debate and Swann has declined. Reason… He (Swann) is in control and Scranton is behind. Simple. Swann seems to have everything wrapped up to win the primary and win the general election. Right? I don’t think so.
After the Super Bowl and GOP nomination the hype will settle. If the Steelers win, I am sure some stylistic “I am a winner” tag lines will spew from the Lynn’s speeches. That will work for a while. Up until this point, Swann will be untouched, making appearances in friendly venues and answering softball questions from conservative talk show hosts.
There is one thing Swann’s campaign wants to avoid. DEBATES. Putting it plain and simple. Swann cannot debate and defend his ideas with details. Reason: THERE ARE NO DETAILS. This will be one of his down falls.
To date, he has not articulated any details on how he plans to accomplish his plan of “moving Pa in the right direction”. I can’t tell you what that means, what he thinks it means or, more to the point, what his people thinks it means. This is not just my opinion. Several columnists have pointed out that there is little substance to the campaign at this point. Even some of his endorsements have admitted that he does not have a clear plan. Jeff Haste, a Dauphin County elected official said that “he dose not have all of the answers but is willing to work hard to find them”. You have got to be kidding me. This is not the statement from our next state CEO. Can you see Lynn in a debate with Scranton when the question is asked, “How will you help businesses in PA create Jobs?” and Swann responds with “we need to change PA and I don’t have all the answers and I will assemble a team to help be define the solution” Now I know it will not come out like that. Swann will be coached to speak around the issue using the only asset he has, style and presentation. After you parse through code, it will boil down to my previous statement.
Lets say Swann survives the primary (and yes, there will be a primary regardless of an endorsement which is bad for any challenger) and wins. First, he will have spent money on advertising against Scranton. This is not good for any candidate going against an incumbent.
Scranton may have also started the process of pealing back the proverbial “Celebrity Curtin” to expose Swann’s inexperience and lack of substance.
Next Act: Ed Rendell.
First, I am no fan of Ed and want to see him out of office as much as the next Republican. Ed has some qualities that have gotten him far and one of them is he is a good politician. In my opinion, he will destroy Swann in the general election through debates, advertising exposing Swann’s weaknesses.
I believe the campaign will go something like this for the current Gov. “You are going to pick and ex jock to run the state. Come on!”
I will leave you with this anology. You are on the Board of Directors for a large billion dollar company. You are looking for your new CEO. There are several candidates who well qualified but not well known. There is another candidate that is not qualified but was a former movie star. You finally eliminate the candiates down to two, the movie star or lesser known candidate. The choice is clear.
Don’t misunderstand me. I believe anyone has the right to run for any public office. Lynn Swann has the right to run for Governor of PA.
For Republicans of Pennsylvania, I want the best qualified candidate. In a long campaign substance is the only thing that will win.
This strikes me as something written by a Democrat. This long winded discussion is incredibly short on specifics, and my observations are that if anything the opposite is true about Swan. I have only heard him on a few talk shows, but he has a clear message that reminds me of Reagan: cut taxes and let people be free to advance themselves. From what I have seen on talk shows, Swan will do fine in debates, even against someone such as Rendell, who is quite glib and willing to make up things to support his claims. Swan seems to be an great candidate and given the continual push for higher taxes that Rendell supports and other scandals involving him (the government pay hikes for example), it is also important that Rendell be replaced.
I never rooted for the Steelers when I was a kid, but Swann's personality and aura grows on you after a while.
I agree with you Mr. Lott. Swann is articulate (always was) and he is intelligent. Rendell is snake-like (if I may). I watched Swann on TV recently and he quoted Regan type ideas. Those are simple concepts and facts applied to the simple problem of decreasing government, reducing spending and growing the economy.
Exactly what brain surgeon program did Rendell graduate from? Does the poster consider Jack Kemp a dumb jock? Was Reagan (a brilliant politician) considered a wordy intellectual?
Not only do I see Swann easily taking the Pennsylvania governorship, I see him as possibly the first black President.
Go 88 (ha ha)!!
It is great to see Mr. Swann run for office. I am a conservative AMERICAN of African ancestry and unfortunately I live in New Jersey (unfortunate for more reason than one) and can't vote for him. I would say to all those who are pre-judging him and counting him out already...nothing beats a failure but a try...and I am excited that a black man who isn't a liberal socialist, is trying to accomplish something in PA. Win or lose, I am glad the effort is made.
MSGT Jimmie L. Hollis
USAF Retired
City of Millville
The Peoples Republic of New Jersey
Lynn Swan has my vote..
Pennsylvania needs a change!!!!!!!!!
Lynn Swann for McCain, really? I guess he makes too much money to benefit from Obama's tax cut plan. Far be it for Swann to remember his roots and try to help those trying to make it in the world. I guess when you are blessed with athleticism and go political via fame and recognition, it is easy to forget where you might be if you never had that athleticism. Too bad Swann won't make a difference for the young black community or for any other for that matter. Too bad the good life prevents Swan for making a truly positive difference in this world - too bad.
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