Swann campaigns at La Salle

By Erin Brodbeck
Collegian Editor
November 1, 2006

Lynn Swann, the Republican candidate in Pennsylvania’s upcoming gubernatorial election, addressed students, faculty and staff Oct. 30, encouraging audience members to cast a vote for him Nov. 7.

Pennsylvania gubernational candidate Lynn Swann poses with members of the
Student Government Association (SGA) and the College Republicans. -Sara Allen

Swann, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, drew many parallels between sports and politics, comparing governing to watching the tape of a football game.

“You need to analyze what happened in the past, and decide what you need to do to win,” Swann said.

According to Swann, Pennsylvania needs to move in a new direction. New jobs need to be created in order to keep college graduates in the state at a time when 40 percent of graduates move elsewhere in search of jobs, Swann said.

“I like to stick to the two R’s,” Swann said, “reform and results.”

To begin his speech, Swann reflected on his own childhood. He was brought up by Democrat parents who stressed the importance of good education and strong family values.

“I don’t just mean two-parent families,” Swann said. “Some of the best parents I know are single moms and dads.”

Swann considers high school education to be even more important than college, saying that it “is a foundation that must be stressed.”

Members of the audience appeared to support Swann, cheering and chanting, “Let’s go, Lynn” as he approached the podium.

After Swann’s address, some audience members asked questions ranging from environmental policies to his stance on gun control. Unlike his opponent, current governor Ed Rendell, Swann opposes limits on gun purchasing.

“Owning 100 guns or one gun is not the issue. It’s what you do with the gun,” Swann said.

Swann vowed to unite Pennsylvania if elected as governor, “making us a leader among states and a competitor among nations.”

The candidate considers the current policies in Harrisburg to be outdated. He promised to streamline and update the state government, and his motto is “common sense for the commonwealth.”

Swann encouraged the students in attendance to work hard.

“Whether one is born with everything or nothing, it is possible to achieve anything with the right education and determination,” he said.

While reflecting on his journey to becoming a candidate for governor, Swann admitted that he never pictured himself as a politician when he was a young boy, or even as an adult college student.

“It wasn’t something I dreamed of,” he said.

Swann served on the National Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and is chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

brodbecke1@lasalle.edu