Super Bowl XL and PA Governor's race: I'm rooting for the Seahawks

[Ignacio Upton]

Being from NY, and someone who doesn't follow football beyond the playoffs and the Super Bowl (between the Jets and Giants, I'll root for whoever gets farther in the playoffs, this year I supported the Giants.) Anyway, this may sound a little paranoid, and Steelers fans here will flame me, but here goes:

In Pennsylvania, there will be a tight Governor's race if Steeler's legend and Bush supporter, Lynn Swann, gets nominated and runs against incumbent Governor Ed Rendell. Two polls done by Zogby and Rasmussen show a potential Rendell-Swann race to be a dead heat:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06020/641195.stm

Now, it's possible that former Republican Lt. Governor Bill Scranton will be the Republican candidate, but considering the stupidity factor in America's electoral, when it comes to celebrities (see Ahhnold) I do not underestimate a star struck electorate. Symbolically, there is a football parallel that could help Swann if the Steelers win. Last year, the Eagles, Rendell's team since he's from Philly and was Mayor there, lost to the Patriots. Now imagine the orgasmic reaction of the local media if the Steelers win and how it will rub off on Swann. Swann will try to exploit the Steeler's victory at every turn and make it some kind of prophecy as to how he's destined to become Governor. What also worries me is that Lynn Swann could save man-on-dog's ass with high turnout. Casey isn't helping himself with the fact that he says he would support Alito if he were a Senator (and neither does Rendell, since he's pro-choice) and if the liberal base doesn't turn out enough, combined with Swann's potentially "charismatic" Schwarzenegger-esque hypnosis of the electorate, than the Pennsylvania GOP could be saved. Do NOT allow for anything that will help PA's version of Arnold win, even if it means rooting against Roethlisberger (who is a GREAT Quarterback, but he's still young and has another chance to win a Super Bowl in the future.)

[endarkenment]

1. I try to not mix sports and politics.

It is a football game. If the people of Penn elect that idiot Swann as their governor I just feel sorry for them.

[bigscott]

2. it would be almost as bad

as electing an actor as governor - TWICE in one lifetime

[Ignacio Upton]

3. Kick!

Go Seahawks!

[livetohike]

4. I don't mix football with politics, but I do mix religion with football

God, please let my Steelers win! :-)

[smtpgirl]

9. I'll second that

GO STEELERS, from a Redskins fan

[livetohike]

15. Thanks and welcome to DU

:hi:

[spuddonna]

5. Do not 'misunderestimate' the power of fan mania...

I grew up in a suburb of Pgh. For our 3rd grade assembly before Christmas break, we watched 3 hrs of Steeler highlight reels!

People are insane about the Steelers in western PA. And I've talked to my parents and family still there. People in Pgh know how pro-business Swann is, but at the same time he is well liked, and he makes people remember the 'glory days' of the 70's.

If they can get Franco and some other guys from the 70's team to point out that people need to use RATIONAL thought, then they'll have a better chance.

Otherwise, it's really going to boil down to how much hate of * rubs off on Swannee...

[Ignacio Upton]

6. That's what I'm afraid of

Swann is unarguably a great football player, and did good for the Steelers, but that odes not excuse him for being a Republican. However, I hope that the voters in PA, or at least Western PA since it's Steelers country, do not give him a blank check.

[spuddonna]

10. Those are my hopes exactly...

I hope Franco Harris gets up and says something. He helped Kerry; I hope he'll speak out...

[Ignacio Upton]

11. BTW, Harris was also a Seahawk

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=89

[spuddonna]

12. Oh holy cow, I'd forgotten!! lol

Thanks, because I'm sure that will come up in a conversation with my brothers! lol

[Ignacio Upton]

13. Could Swann use that against him if he campaigns for Rendell?

[spuddonna]

14. Good grief, I would hope not...

But then again, I've learned to put nothing past the GOP...

I don't think it'd fly anyway. I think Franco leaving was due to the Steelers releasing him, so he became a free agent. I think... :)

[VolcanoJen]

7. Chimpy just said that Rendell supports Alito...

... and urges the Democrats to confirm him. But I was rooting for the Steelers, anyway.

[cybildisobedience]

8. making matters worse....

counties in Pa. are moving toward paperless electronic voting equipment, to be in place by this spring's election. It is varying from county to county, but these clueless, moronic political appointees in place in some offices have NO IDEA what they're doing by allowing these machines to replace the old reliable lever machines.

I know Ed Rendell has pooh-poohed concerns about these machines, but maybe he'll get it when he loses places like Phila., where he used to get like 90 percent of the vote.