From the Hall of Fame to the Governor's mansion?

[TonyB06]

(I believe Lynn Swann is an Alpha brother)

Local GOP behind Swann for governor
By Charles Lardner, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Former NFL star Lynn Swann's bid to be Pennsylvania's next governor just got a big boost from one of the state's most conservative counties.

Wednesday, 14 of the 16 members of Lancaster County's delegation to the state Republican Committee, including county GOP chairman Dave Dumeyer, signed a letter endorsing the Hall of Famer in what is currently a four-way contest for the Republican nomination in the 2006 gubernatorial race.

rest here: www.local.lancasteronline.com/4/17049

[Professor]

oh well

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Professor
oh well

...you don't think our interests are best served by "responsible" interest from both parties?

[TonyB06]

It's Official: Ex-NFL Star Lynn Swann Running for Pennsylvania Governor
Date: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
By: Monica Lewis, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Lynn Swann has excelled at virtually every task he's taken on: A national college championship with the University of Southern California, four Super Bowl wins with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a successful broadcasting career with ABC Sports.

Now Swann, a 53-year-old NFL Hall of Famer, will attempt to make a big play in the game of politics, tossing his hat into the ring as a Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania. He made the official announcement during an event in Pittsburgh Wednesday evening.

According to Swann's website, lynnswannteam88.com, Pennsylvania needs “fresh, energetic leadership,” and the political novice apparently believes he is the right man for the job. It'll be an uphill battle for the former wide receiver, who will face some tough opponents in the GOP primary before even getting the opportunity to face incumbent Democratic Governor Ed Rendell, a popular two-term mayor of Philadelphia who gained national attention while serving as chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2000.

read more at:
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site/...news/swann0105

[honeychile]

Woot!! Woot!!

Some of us are positively THRILLED!!!!!!

[RBL]

Excellent News

[Steeltrap]

First of all, I didn't know that L. Swann was an Alpha.

Secondly, this isn't surprising -- the country overall is not left-leaning anymore, and as some blacks become better off, their politics may change. I've heard of several black former football players being GOP/conservative.

What will be interesting is if he's going to be a center-right or hard-right guy. I am not familiar with Pennsylvania's politics, as an aside. I just kind of compare it with the Guvernator out here, who did the centrist thing, but tried to play to the red-meat right with the special elections, and flamed out spectacularly.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
First of all, I didn't know that L. Swann was an Alpha.

What will be interesting is if he's going to be a center-right or hard-right guy. I am not familiar with Pennsylvania's politics, as an aside. I just kind of compare it with the Guvernator out here, who did the centrist thing, but tried to play to the red-meat right with the special elections, and flamed out spectacularly.

I don't know internal Pa. state politics either, but generally it's considered pretty much a toss-up nationally. Gore and Kerry carried it in the '00 and '04 presidential races respectively (albeit closely). I've heard criticism that Rendell focuses a lot of political largesse on Philadelphia, at the expense of other parts of the state--but not being a resident don't know how true that it.

at this point, Swann, on the state level, is probably like Colin Powell was nationally in '96. Until he opens his mouth and declares issue positions, he can safely be "everybody's" candidate.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by TonyB06
I don't know internal Pa. state politics either, but generally it's considered pretty much a toss-up nationally. Gore and Kerry carried it in the '00 and '04 presidential races respectively (albeit closely). I've heard criticism that Rendell focuses a lot of political largesse on Philadelphia, at the expense of other parts of the state--but not being a resident don't know how true that it.

at this point, Swann, on the state level, is probably like Colin Powell was nationally in '96. Until he opens his mouth and declares issue positions, he can safely be "everybody's" candidate.

Very good point. He's handsome and telegenic, and that will be what sticks until he does declare issue positions.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
He's handsome and telegenic.....

*sigh* we (Alphas) get so tired of hearing this. Love us for our minds as well...

[mccoyred]

Originally posted by TonyB06
I don't know internal Pa. state politics either, but generally it's considered pretty much a toss-up nationally. Gore and Kerry carried it in the '00 and '04 presidential races respectively (albeit closely). I've heard criticism that Rendell focuses a lot of political largesse on Philadelphia, at the expense of other parts of the state--but not being a resident don't know how true that it.

at this point, Swann, on the state level, is probably like Colin Powell was nationally in '96. Until he opens his mouth and declares issue positions, he can safely be "everybody's" candidate.

PA has had governors that cover the entire spectrum so it is definitely a toss up. The key to seeing what kind of governor her would be will be determined by where he campaigns (Pitt and Philly - left; rural areas - right).

However, I am very glad to see the brother do his thing!

[06pilot]

How goes the race? I havent heard anything about it