Lynn Swann's Opponent Fumbles

[Judi Lynn]

Lynn Swann's Opponent Fumbles
A televised racial gaffe may mark a turning point in the race for governor of Pennsylvania
By SEAN SCULLY/PHILADELPHIA

SUBSCRIBE TO TIMEPRINTE-MAILMORE BY AUTHOR
Posted Friday, Jan. 27, 2006

As a star receiver for the Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Lynn Swann was used to making his own winning plays. But in his race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in his home state of Pennsylvania, Swann may have just been handed the game, thanks to an ill-advised comment by his chief opponent's campaign manager. James Seif, a widely respected and seasoned political operative, was on the Pennsylvania Cable Network Wednesday night discussing the campaign of former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton when he derided Swann as “the rich white guy in this race.” Even though Seif seemed to be trying to paint Swann as a well-connected insider in contrast with Scranton—despite the fact that Scranton (as in the city) comes from a distinguished Pennsylvania family—it was an odd, unfortunate choice of words, since Swann, well, happens to be black.

Not surprisingly, the comment came off as offensive and insensitive. Scranton almost immediately fired Seif, who ironically had been brought in only weeks before to shake up the flaccid Scranton campaign and initially gotten high marks for giving his candidate a new identity as a reformer in a state where anti-incumbent feeling is running particularly high this year. Seif’s comments “in no way whatsoever reflect my views or those of my campaign,” Scranton said in a hastily released official statement, while Swann said "it is important this campaign be waged on a higher level of dignity and character." The gaffe couldn’t have come at a worse time, either, just two weeks before a state party meeting that will decide which candidate will gain the crucial endorsement in the May 11 primary. Swann, a political neophyte, had already been running ahead Scranton, and political observers say this affair ended any chance Scranton had of securing the party’s official backing—without which no Republican gubenatorial candidate has won the primary since 1978.

No governor has ever lost a bid for reelection in Pennsylvania, but Republicans sense an opportunity this year. Polls already show that the popularity of Gov. Ed Rendell, the incumbent Democrat and former Mayor of Philadelphia, is sagging in the Western and Central part of the state. Rendell has so far failed to make good on his promise of property tax reform, and many social conservatives object to his support of slot machine gambling. Although Swann is still making some rookie mistakes—making attendees at one North Philadelphia rally wait over an hour in a cold, unheated warehouse, and then failing to acknowledge the officials in attendance during his remarks — he is already a household name in the western end of the state thanks to his Hall of Fame playing career. A Rasmussen poll released Jan. 19 shows Swann leading Rendell by 45-43 percent, but Scranton losing to Rendell badly, 46-36 percent. “Rendell can’t change the perception that he is the governor of Philadelphia and that he’s helping Philadelphia too much,” said Terry Madonna, professor of public affairs at Franklin and Marshall College and director of the widely respected Keystone Poll, which will be looking at the race next month.
(snip/...)

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1153951,00.html

[Divernan]

1. "Failing to acknowledge the officials in attendance". . . .

It is hysterical, in a tragic way, that of the all the reasons that any Repubican official should realize that Swann is grossly underqualified to be governor, their criticism of his is that he failed to acknowledge them at the beginning of his remarks. If there's anything you can count on in a politician's speech, and if there's anything that makes you want to hurl every time, it isthe time they waste giving all these obsequious, verbal forelock tugging acknowlegements of every zoning board member, asst. fire marshall, local council person in the audience before addressing the audience.

As to the fact that Rendell has not implemented property tax reform, the media fails to point out to the public that a Dem. governor cannot force legislative change on the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. And a major problem is the public's stupidity and greed on the subject of property tax reform. You say "tax reform" to the average taxpayer, and their eyes light up at the mistaken idea that this is the same as tax reduction. The schools and highways and all the infrastructure of state and local govts. still have to be paid for. What "tax reform" boils down to is "tax shifting". If the residential property taxes are slashed, the personal income and/or business taxes HAVE to be increased to make up the difference. So, of course, any one whose total tax burden remains the same or increases will be PO'd at the incumbents. So like deer in the headlights, the PA Legislature refuses to take any action. It is NOT Rendell's fault.

[bleedingheart]

3. The sad part is that the republicans are to blame for high property taxes

It was the republican governor who cut school funding from 50% to 35%...and then the local school districts had to fend for themselves...what did they do...they raised taxes.

So...where did the 15% go? Where did that money go GOP? It went to corporate tax breaks...not to a reduction in state income tax...

But the Legislature has raised the income tax (two years ago) and now they are playing card games trying to make it look like they will reduce property taxes...but in reality they are going to have to raise the sales tax and the income tax to do it....so it may help some elderly folks but those same folks will find that they pay more for goods and services...it is a shell game!

[wiley]

11. Same Problem in Jersey

Republican Governors promise property tax reform and then raise taxes on anything else. Plus they are CORRUPT REPUBLICANS. Who can forget Whitman's Easy Pass boondoggle? Oh, and failing to recognize an official at a Repuke event is criminal. They have their own set of laws. I had the misfortune once of attending an event where they thanked these people for their contributions and mentioned the amounts. Then they goaded people to give more. Like, "$2,000? "We all know that that construction contract you got was a bigger one that that. Is that even one-percent?"

[chelsea0011]

2. Unqualified? I've seen Swann and he has great speed and

elusive moves to outrun and fool the opposition. And those hands. Anything that touched them was gobbled up.He sounds like a perfect Republican candidate.:sarcasm:

[splat]

4. Why is Swann a Republican? n/t

[flyarm]

5. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!! n/t

[Divernan]

6. Same world view as Condoleeza Rice, but without the brains.

He got a full scholarship to University of Southern California, and identified with all the rich white kids there.

[mitchum]

9. $$$$$$$$$$$$$ and no discernible job skills

a perfect republican

[JanMichael]

13. Again... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Like so many other assholes.

[VegasWolf]

14. If one wants to be a politician there are only two games in town. Since

the Republicans control the "black box" machinery and corruptly control voting precincts, why fight them? You can get more money and reach personal power goals much faster as a republican.

[PatsFan2004]

17. Apparently, Lynn Swann is a devout Christian and a successful

businessman. You might assume from that he is a social conservative and a fiscal conservative. That sounds like Repuke to me.

[Penndems]

7. "and many social conservatives object to his support of slot

machine gambling."

Pennsylvania already HAS legalized gambling in the form of Powerball, on-track betting and The Pennsylvania Lottery. The bingo games at the local CYO hall on Friday nights are legalized gambling, for crying out loud. Does the right wing in PA wanna do away with these, too?

I'd venture to guess that the majority of these so-called "social conservatives" are the very same individuals who can't wait to get to Wawa or Sheetz and buy their lottery tickets before the deadline. :mad:

Hypocrites, the whole lot of 'em.







(edited for typo)

[mitchum]

8. The comment was not offensive, but rather trenchant...

but, of course, the republicans never like the truth (even when it comes from one of their own)

[KamaAina]

10. So is this gonna get as much press as "Chocolate City"?

Well? That's what I thought. I guess IOKIYAWR (It's OK If You're A White Republican).

What a moran. This Seif guy should be headed straight for Top Ten, the DU version of the poster on the wall at the post office.

[brentspeak]

12. Don't be surprised if Swann becomes the next Pa. governor

The fact that he has no political experience and is a GOP stooge will not dissuade a lot of Pa. voters from looking favorably upon a charismatic African-American ex-football star.

[Judi Lynn]

15. It's true Republicans love to run people with famous names and no

political gifts. I think it's the only way they can get elected as often, other than their character assassinations on Democrats, and strange moves like breaking into Democratic National Headquarters, Daniel Elsberg's doctor's office break-in, election rigging, getting lucky behind girl scandals like Gary Hart and Bill Clinton, etc., etc.

Creating ways to destroy Democrats, cheating, and using famous dummies seems to be about all they've got. Wasn't even Gerald Ford an ex-football guy? They've got that looney-toon baseball player in Kentucky as a Senator, and more football players than one can quickly remember.

Not to mention the retired football hero, J.C. Watts, in the House.

[brentspeak]

16. Yes, Ford starred in football at the University of Michigan

but he turned down offers to play for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers to go to Yale law school. But he was one of the last Republicans with ethics.