Swann Announces Candidacy for PA Governor

[King]

From Politics1.com:

Pro Football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann (R) -- Chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness -- confirmed this week that he is planning to challenge Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D). Other likely GOP primary candidates include former Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton III, State Senator Jeffrey Piccola and retired USAF pilot Mac McCawley.

[Keystone Phil]

You should have put this in our special PA Gubernatorial thread, King 

Anyway, if Piccola, Scranton and Swann are the only three candidates, you can bet that Swann has my full support. I've heard that he donated some money to Specter and Kerry a few years ago but other than that he seems to be a good choice. I like what I'm hearing. However, if Toomey, Hart or another, better conservative jumps in then I will support Toomey or Hart or whoever the other candidate is (that is, if the "other" candidate is better than Swann). Does everyone understand? 

The "Epicenter of Conservative Grassroots Activity" in PA  www.grassrootspa.com is reporting that besides Swann, another western PA conservative is likely to run and details will be provided soon. The report also states that this candidate would have little trouble fundraising. It will be interesting to see who this candidate is.

[King]

The "Epicenter of Conservative Grassroots Activity" in PA  www.grassrootspa.com is reporting that besides Swann, another western PA conservative is likely to run and details will be provided soon. The report also states that this candidate would have little trouble fundraising. It will be interesting to see who this candidate is.

Let's see....

Tom Ridge
[X] Western PAer (Pittsburg)
[X] Conservative
[X] Likely to run
[X] Fundraising not a problem

[Keystone Phil]

The "Epicenter of Conservative Grassroots Activity" in PA  www.grassrootspa.com is reporting that besides Swann, another western PA conservative is likely to run and details will be provided soon. The report also states that this candidate would have little trouble fundraising. It will be interesting to see who this candidate is.

Let's see....

Tom Ridge
[X] Western PAer (Pittsburg)
[X] Conservative
[X] Likely to run
[X] Fundraising not a problem

Ridge isn't that conservative (atleast not the type of conservative that this website represents. Ridge is more center-right.) and I have to disagree that Ridge is likely to run.

[danwxman]

Wow, if he actually gets the nomination this will be Eastern PA vs. Western PA. The matchup will be fun to watch for sure. I'd still give Rendell the edge though.

[Keystone Phil]

Wow, if he actually gets the nomination this will be Eastern PA vs. Western PA. The matchup will be fun to watch for sure. I'd still give Rendell the edge though.

East vs. West
Rendell vs. Swann

and how about this to top it all off...

Eagles vs. Steelers in the Super Bowl!

[zachman]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

[Keystone Phil]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

[danwxman]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

[Keystone Phil]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

You'd be a very rich man, I know. But Dan, it's the truth and the Dems don't want to admit it. Hey I have no problem if you think Rendell wil cruise into a second term. In fact, I hope the PA Democratic party has a unanimous agreement and believes the same. Only better for us.

[danwxman]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

You'd be a very rich man, I know. But Dan, it's the truth and the Dems don't want to admit it. Hey I have no problem if you think Rendell wil cruise into a second term. In fact, I hope the PA Democratic party has a unanimous agreement and believes the same. Only better for us.

The Republican party knows their chances are low. That's why they gave Swann the go-ahead.

[Keystone Phil]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

You'd be a very rich man, I know. But Dan, it's the truth and the Dems don't want to admit it. Hey I have no problem if you think Rendell wil cruise into a second term. In fact, I hope the PA Democratic party has a unanimous agreement and believes the same. Only better for us.

The Republican party knows their chances are low. That's why they gave Swann the go-ahead.

What's with you and this "The Republican party knows their chances are low" stuff? How are their chances low? That's all I ever hear from you. Sure Rendell has the advantage of being the incumbent but look at this incumbent's approval ratings. They'd throw in a "sacrificial lamb" if Rendell had 60% approval ratings. That certainly isn't the case. The PA GOP is going to keep interest in this Gubernatorial race.

[danwxman]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

You'd be a very rich man, I know. But Dan, it's the truth and the Dems don't want to admit it. Hey I have no problem if you think Rendell wil cruise into a second term. In fact, I hope the PA Democratic party has a unanimous agreement and believes the same. Only better for us.

The Republican party knows their chances are low. That's why they gave Swann the go-ahead.

What's with you and this "The Republican party knows their chances are low" stuff? How are their chances low? That's all I ever hear from you. Sure Rendell has the advantage of being the incumbent but look at this incumbent's approval ratings. They'd throw in a "sacrificial lamb" if Rendell had 60% approval ratings. That certainly isn't the case. The PA GOP is going to keep interest in this Gubernatorial race.

I've already explained my reasoning...we don't know Rendell's true approval ratings and no Governor has ever been ousted.

[Keystone Phil]

I'd give Swann better than 50% odds. Republicans are fantastic at getting non-politician notables to run (i.e. Arnold), and the Democrats need to improve on that now that John Glenn is retired.

And the fact that Rendell isn't very popular anymore helps the GOP here.

If I had a nickel for every time you said that...

You'd be a very rich man, I know. But Dan, it's the truth and the Dems don't want to admit it. Hey I have no problem if you think Rendell wil cruise into a second term. In fact, I hope the PA Democratic party has a unanimous agreement and believes the same. Only better for us.

The Republican party knows their chances are low. That's why they gave Swann the go-ahead.

What's with you and this "The Republican party knows their chances are low" stuff? How are their chances low? That's all I ever hear from you. Sure Rendell has the advantage of being the incumbent but look at this incumbent's approval ratings. They'd throw in a "sacrificial lamb" if Rendell had 60% approval ratings. That certainly isn't the case. The PA GOP is going to keep interest in this Gubernatorial race.

I've already explained my reasoning...we don't know Rendell's true approval ratings and no Governor has ever been ousted.

Just because a Governor hasn't been ousted doesn't mean it can't happen and since we don't know Rendell's approval ratings right now, we go by the latest ones that show him just about 50%

[Sibboleth]

"About 50%" is hardly "DOOMED!!! AAAAAAGH! THE ELECTORAL GRIM REAPER HATH COME FOR ME!!!!!!!" is it?

Plenty of Governers would kill for that

[Keystone Phil]

Plenty of Governers would kill for that

And they've pretty much lost their jobs already. Rendell's approval rating was once in the high 50s I believe. He also has high disapproval ratings.

[Sibboleth]

Plenty of Governers would kill for that

And they've pretty much lost their jobs already. Rendell's approval rating was once in the high 50s I believe. He also has high disapproval ratings.

Rendell's ratings have been around 50% approve/30% disapprove for a fairly long time now.
These are not *bad* numbers. They aren't exactly good numbers either.
Rendell is the favourite but he ain't no lock. He might be the Barnes/Benson of 2006, he might not.

[Keystone Phil]

Plenty of Governers would kill for that

And they've pretty much lost their jobs already. Rendell's approval rating was once in the high 50s I believe. He also has high disapproval ratings.

He might be the Barnes/Benson of 2006, he might not.

I don't think it would be that type of surprise if he loses.