It surprises me that more athletes and ex-military men don't run for office on the Republican ticket.
Contrary to lefty opinion, many athletes and military folks are highly intelligent, and therefore avoid politics at all cost (not just the Repub ticket).
Politicians are not held in high esteem, and the athletes and military folks have too much pride to be associated with them.
It takes someone with character quite a bit to make that move, and Swann must feel that his call to government duty is for true representation rather than for ego or $$, and worth setting his pride aside.

Many military officers serving in Iraq are getting experience in all sorts of things that could transfer to politics, such as negotiating and civil planning. I think that Iraq War veterans will emerge as Stateside leaders in the future.

Lord, I hope this happens. I can't stand Rendell. Special Ed (as we call him up here in the northeast part of PA) is just running the commonwealth into the ground.

Jerome's Campaign Slogan: "We're taking back the Commonwealth - two yards at a time!"

This is what happens when black folks start making money and having to pay outlandish taxes.

They too begin to say "WTF? I'm voting Republican."

The unintended side effect of the liberal program of giving minorities special treatment in starting businesses and getting government contracts is that we have a lot more minority Republicans today than we would have in the absence of such a program.

Seeing the effects taxes and regulations have on you business makes you a smaller-government advocate right quick.

My favorite quote about Bettis:

When you need one yard, he'll get you three.

And when you need five yards, he'll get you... three.

Not this season, though. Whoo doggie.

It seems to be the general rule that Republican famous athletes or Hollywood types who are interested in politics run for office (Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Eastwood, Sonny Bono, Steve Largent, Jim Bunning) but the Dem/ liberal/ lefties just give money to candidates and causes (Babs Streisand, Michael Moore, Meathead). Why is that?

Xoxotl:

I know Swannie would be a major player in western Pa, but is he as well thought of in Eagles territory?

B,

I grew up in the Philly burbs and my folks still live out there. Rendell was voted in as Governor for the absolutely amazing work he did in turning around one of the worst run cities in the United States. Philadelphia is almost unrecognizable to where it was 10 years ago and Rendell deserves a large amount of the credit for it.

So, he got a lot of votes from some moderates and conservatives that thought he would take his Giuliani-styled policies to Harrisburg. No such luck, he was elected Governor and just became another stupid, big-government democrat.

I think Rendell is in trouble regardless of who runs against him, but Swan is the best candidate.

B - There's no active dislike for Swann here in northeast PA, but, outside of Scranton, a dead deer on the side of the road has a better chance then Rendell.

Jessie Jackasson and the NAACP will call SWNN at traitor for joining the GOP what a bunch of losers i hope SWANN wins