I think the RNC just pulled a Hackett on one of its own

[AnnInLa]

www.redstate.com (spit, spit)

Lynn Swann is now unopposed for the Republican gubernorial nomination, as erstwhile opponenent Jim Panyward has dropped out.

In withdrawing, he blamed the State Republican Committee in his snit:

"It is not interested in public policy and answers to the state's multitude of problems, financial, social, educational or otherwise," he said in a statement. "It is interested in winning, principle be damned."

Thing is, Panyard had said that he didn't want the party's endorsement. By doing so, he had rendered his chances of receiving it to nil.

I suspect he lacked funds.

The Republican Party apparatus is indeed interested in winning. That is why we have a State and county committees,

All clear for Swann vs. Rendell.

[Hobarticus]

1. How convenient....Lynn Swann, just after the Super Bowl

Gotta give them credit....they're shrewd evil bastards. They'll always play for that lowest common denominator.

[MercutioATC]

4. "Shrewd evil bastards" seem to exist in both parties...

[Hobarticus]

5. Yes....putting up the most viable candidate is indeed shrewd and evil...

:eyes:

[MercutioATC]

10. "The most viable candidate"?? Brown's cross-party numbers suck.

Sure, he was ahead in the primary poll that he paid for, but that's not where we need to pick up voters to win in Ohio. Remember 2004? Repubs own this state, granted by a small margin. We need people OTHER than those who vote in the primary to vote for the Dem in November. Do you think Brown is going to be better at that than Hackett would have been?

[napi21]

2. I realize this is a nasty thing to say, but...

this guys name would have made him fail anyway! Pantywad??????

I think that's one of the reasons Pinochio is also failing as the Dem candidate running against Casey in PA for Santorum's seat.

Names aren't supposed to affect your life, but, in reality, THEY DO!

[VonDoomPhd]

6. Well...

Pennachio's "failing" has little to do with his name and everything to do with the fact that the powers-that-be had already fingered Casey as their republican-lite golden boy.
Also, Casey has the luxury of just sitting back and saying nothing until the homestretch of the general election.
He has nothing to gain and everything to lose should he engage in political discourse with Chuck or Alan Sandels.

[Onlooker]

3. Any word on Lynn Swann's views?

Just because he's Republican doesn't mean he's right wing. Any idea what kind of Republican he is? I haven't read anything as to his stand on any issues.

[Justitia]

7. Very RW - go figure, & very dumb & uninformed, lucky for us.

Trust me, Rendell will eat him for lunch. Ask any PAer (where I was born & majority of my family still lives).

The PA GOP just cleared the way for PA to keep a Dem governor.

[Hobarticus]

9. That's what they said about Dubya, too!

But, I hope you're right!

[Justitia]

11. Swann was on TV this past weekend, he really IS clueless, it was painful

to watch.

Yes, "W" is dumb (I'm a Texan, so I know this all too well, unfortunately), but he went to Washington with a HUGE political machine behind him, having grown up in those circles. He is dumb, but he had been protected in political circles for his whole life.

Swann is completely out of his element. His "backers" are hoping for the "sports star" thing to combine with the "African American" thing - as they need it desperately to win over Philly one day - and ignore the rest.

Not to mention, Rendell is a very popular guv in PA with quite a long political pedigree of his own.
He is also very smart, and incredibly politically savvy.

I was quite encouraged to see it is down to Swann & Rendell, it is hardly a match in any way.

[AnnInLa]

12. So, you think Swann is being controlled,

has handlers, and will front for.....whom exactly?

Interesting.

[Justitia]

13. I don't think it's that well planned. I just think the PA GOP is looking

for a "star" candidate, a la Arnold the "Terminator" in CA, and sports star Swann fits that bill.

I see it more as a desperate move to counter a popular incumbent Gov. by trying to find someone more "popular".

[marmar]

8. "It is interested in winning, principle be damned."

Uh, yeah, and the sky is blue.

[Coexist]

14. I know. eom.