Swann Song

by Justin Sykes

Does the former football star stand a chance at ousting Rendell?

Pennsylvanias 2006 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a contest of larger than life personas from different sides of the state. Ed Rendell the gregarious incumbent Democrat, will be sweating to retain his post against charismatic Republican Lynn Swann, a candidate more recognized as an athlete than as a politician.

The difference between the candidates could not be more apparent Rendell has been a key player in politics much of his life serving as Philadelphias district attorney and mayor the Democratic National Committee chairman, and now as governor of the state of Pennsylvania.

Swann is a novice in the political arena. He hails from Pittsburgh, where he once won three SuperBowls with the Steelers. After his hall-of-fame-worthy career, Swann became a commentator, analyzing college and professional football from the sidelines.

Though not often associated with politics, Swann does have some experience. In 2004, he served as the co-chair of the African-Americans for Bush steering committee. Prior to that, he was chairman of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness, a post once held by another celebrity-turned-politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger. A late January poll showed the race between Swann and Rendell to be a statistical dead heat. Similar polls in addition to the alignment of the state Republican Party machinery behind Swann convinced other Republicans in the race, including former Lt. Governor Bill Scranton and State Senator Jeffrey Piccola, to drop out.

A more recent poll released mid-February paints a different picture. In the survey by Quinnipiac University, Swann trails Rendell by twelve points. Polling institute assistant director Clay Richards attributes this discrepancy to low support for Swann among Republicans and Independents.

Rank and file Republicans appear more reluctant than their leaders to back Swann,
Richards said.

Twenty-two percent are voting for Rendell at this point. And only about a quarter of all Pennsylvania voters say Swann has the right kind of experience to be governor. For Swann to overcome this deficit, he will need to instill confidence in Pennsylvanians that he is more than just a 1970s football standout. An appearance on ABCs This Week raised questions about Swann’s political acumen and many pundits predict that despite his experience as a sideline reporter Swann will be gobbled up by Rendell in the inevitable gubernatorial debates. Nevertheless, Michael Shiely, chairman of the Penn College Republicans, believes that Swann will bring new ideas and wash out the corruption and partisan bicker that has plagued Harrisburg for the last three years. Said Shiely Ever since the legislative pay increase was signed into law by Ed Rendell, an anti-incumbent environment has blanketed Pennsylvania.

While Nathan Hake, president of the Penn College Democrats, declined to comment, he did say that the Penn Dems fully support Governor Rendell and are confident that Rendell will be reelected.

To win, Swann must tap voter skepticism of Rendell, whose approval ratings have hovered at or slightly below fifty percent. Victorious non-politicians like Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger have had the most success when dissatisfaction with incumbents is high.

Swann is currently hammering away at high property taxes and low economic growth in the state under Rendell. According to Swann, citing a study by the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, The reality is that this governor has failed us when it comes to creating jobs. That is why he received a grade of F for job creation by a non-partisan group, and …the F doesn’t stand for fine.

Rendell’s plan for lowering property taxes calls for raising the state stales tax to 6.5 percent in addition to collecting revenues from state-run slot machines. Swann has not yet announced the specifics of his proposal. If elected, Swann would become Pennsylvanias first African-American governor and the highest ranking black Republican nationwide. He is part of a wave of black Republicans including Michael Steele, who is running for U.S. Senate in Maryland, and Ken Blackwell, who is running for Ohio governor, seeking office as Republicans in 2006. In 2004, George W. Bush won barely 11 percent of the black vote. Penn will likely play a pivotal role in the November election, especially if turnout is as high as it was in 2004. In the past presidential election, turnout on campus increased 280 percent over 2000.

Christina Catanese, a College sophomore, is torn by her allegiance to Pittsburgh Steelers and the Democratic Party. Said Catanese, I do not consider it responsible as a voter to blindly vote along party lines. She admits that she would consider voting for Swann, but would not vote for him solely for the reason that he is a former Steeler.

If I find that his candidacy is legitimate and that his platforms and plans strike a balance with my personal views for the state of Pennsylvania I would ponder giving him my vote.

Justin is a sophomore in Wharton and the managing editor of the Penn Indy.