Scranton withdraws from GOP race for governor (PA - Swann vs. Rendell)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06038/651672.stm

Former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton announced this afternoon that he is withdrawing from the race for the Republican nomination for governor.

Mr. Scranton, in a prepared statement, said, "I have determined that my chances of success are minimal in mounting a grassroots campaign effort."

That leaves two Republican candidates in the race: Steelers Hall of Famer Lynn Swann and James Panyard, a former president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association.

Mr. Swann was expected to win the endorsement of the full state Republican committee, which is scheduled for Saturday. Mr. Scranton previously had vowed to remain in the race regardless of the committee's selection.

[Doctor_J]

1. Swann will parade current and former Steelers to his

events. Of course he's a dumbass with no platform whatsoever, but such a person now lives in the WH, so we can't really count him out because of that. How's Rendell's support on Western PA?

[AlinPA]

2. OK, but Swann was at the Steelers parade today and spoke in front of

250,000 Steeler fanatics. He was a "MVP" in one of the Super Bowls and is worshipped around here. It won't matter what his policies are, Pittsburgh first a football town. It is what matters most to W. PA..

[RamboLiberal]

3. We may have to depend on the Eagles fans to keep him out

of office. Wonder if Rendell can recruit Franco Harris to introduce him at rallies here in Western PA? Franco was at all the Kerry events in this area.

[wisteria]

7. That would be interesting. n/t

[xxqqqzme]

4. You all have my sympathies

Hopefully CA will shed itself of idol worship in November. We cannot afford 4 straight years of steroid boy - 2 has been disasterous!

Good luck w/ the hero worship crap

[wisteria]

6. I do know a couple die hard Steelers fans in this are that will not

vote for Swann though, and one has said he should stick to what he knows- football.

[blue neen]

11. This Steeler fan will NEVER vote for Swann.

He was sickening at the parade rally today. He has nothing to run on besides the fact that he wore number 88. Your friend is absolutely right--Swann should stick to football.

[PA Democrat]

16. Hey neen!

Make that TWO Steelers fans that will never vote for Swann.

BTW, I am OUTRAGED that Republicans would introduce POLITICS into a solemn Steeler victory celebration. The local news media reported that people were chanting slogans endorsing Swann for governor at the rally. Quick someone call Tweety. I'm SURE he'll be just as outraged about this as he was about people talking about continuing the work of Coretta Scott King in their eulogies. :sarcasm:

[Doctor_J]

8. The worst part is that on every NCAA telecast this fall, he will get

unpaid ads from every ABC and ESPN announcer. Just like we did for Smirk in fall 2004.

[bleedingheart]

10. Franco Harris is a Democrat

who has been involved with loads of charities and political campaigns....I just don't envision him endorsing Swann....

[Doctor_J]

13. I didn't say EVERY steeler would be campainging for him

but alot will be - Bradshaw, Lambert, Tommy Maddox, and a bunch more - many more than will stump for Rendell.

[AlinPA]

15. Agree. I can't see it either.

[trogdor]

18. How about Terry Bradshaw?

How does he feel about this?

[wisteria]

5. What a shame, really, the repubs think so little of actually running

a government and place all the emphasis on winning the race. Swann offers nothing but a name and a Steelers background. I live in this area,but wasn't born or raised here. I can honestly say that in the Western part of the state where Steelers fever runs high, many boneheads will vote for him simply because he was a former Steeler and also because the Repub trash paper owned by Scaife continues to do nothing but a constant stream of negative reporting on Rendell. The paper is the only news many of these people get and they read it like the bible. Redell, barely took this part of the state before. They despise anything Philadelphia anyway and Swann gives them a good excuse to vote against Rendell who is from the Philly area.
Swann won't IMO, get much support in The Eastern part of the state, where they actually vote on competence and not just a name.

[Doctor_J]

9. That's the GOP way.

it doesn't matter a lick to them if someone is qualified to govern. It only matters if (s)he can get votes. This nation is in deep, deep, trouble.

[RamboLiberal]

12. Knowing the GOP they are desparate to win PA

so for 2008 race they'll have a Repuke governor to be cheerleader for the Repuke Prez candidate!

[Boxturtle]

14. My boss, a diehard republican, is convinced that Swann

will win the governorship in PA. I believe, however, that there will be such a push to get rid of Santorum that Swann will lose as well.

[cybildisobedience]

19. your boss is probably right

The fed. gov. is coming down HARD on Pa. counties to buy these electronic voting machines with no paper ballot capacity. They're telling them that they'll be fined if they're not in compliance with HAVA and you know the push is on to save little Ricky Santorum and to install Swannie.

[KamaAina]

17. The "Immaculate Deception" has begun

of course I know it was Franco, not Swannie, but as has been mentioned, he's a solid Dem who would never have to run on a pack of lies.

Two points:

1) Stallworth was actually the better receiver.

2) Swannie isn't even a very good football announcer. What on Earth makes anyone think he could be Governor?!

[JohnstownDEM]

20. Rendell is done

There are far too many staunch democrats that will not vote for him just because he's destroying this state. First rule of getting re-elected: Don't cut the wages of state employees and then expect them to vote for you.