PA Politics

It seems the gravel-voiced Governor of Pennsylvania is cruising towards re-election. Quinnipiac has the latest poll results:

Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has a 57- 38 percent lead among likely voters, including leaners, over his Republican challenger, former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann, with 4 percent undecided, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
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Likely voters for Swann split 47 - 49 percent on whether their support is mainly for Swann or mainly against Rendell.

"Lynn Swann has failed to make any significant headway against Gov. Rendell over the summer. The former Steeler quarterback's two big problems are that 38 percent of likely voters don't know him well enough to form an opinion and about a quarter of Republicans are voting for the Democratic Governor," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Lynn Swann was a Steelers wide receiver.

A 47 - 49 'for Swann' 'against Rendell' split isn't good news for Swann. When more of your voters are opposed to your opponent than actually excited about your candidacy, you're not going to inspire many people to get out to the polls. This, combined with low polling for the other Republican 'headliner,' Rick Santorum and the anti-Republicanism and anti-Bush feelings in the state doesn't bode well for the PA GOP. Low Republican turn out will be helpful for Democrats in close races for House of Representatives seats in suburban Philly too.

Without getting too excited - it's a long way to November - I'm feeling good about Pennsylvania not just staying Blue, but getting Bluer.

Lynn Swann Ed Rendell Pennsylvania Democrats Republicans 2006 Election