Pennsylvania GOPer Goes Deep

Fate didn't allow the Steelers and Eagles to meet in this year's Super Bowl, but Pennsylvanians can hope for a Pittsburgh-Philly matchup in next year's election for governor.

Former Steelers wide receiver and hall-of-famer Lynn Swann recently formed "Team 88," a campaign committee named after the number he wore when playing in the Iron City. His opponents for the Republican nomination include Lt. Gov. William Scranton III and state Senator Jeffrey Piccola. Both rivals are more established in state politics, but Mr. Swann is better known among voters and has ties with the national Republican Party. Since 2002, he has served as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness -- the same job Arnold Schwarzenegger held under Bush 41. Mr. Swann also spoke at last year's GOP Convention and co-chaired the group African Americans for Bush. He's an avowed opponent of abortion, but otherwise his views on issues have not been rolled out yet.

A Quinnipiac poll in February found that Governor and former Philly mayor Ed Rendell would beat Mr. Swann handily by 16 points. But voters may be growing weary of the governor's handling of the state economy. He pushed through a tax increase last year, and his answer to reducing high property taxes was to install slot machines in hopes of grabbing gamblers and their money before they escape to Atlantic City. Result: a new SurveyUSA poll last week found Mr. Rendell leading by only 6 points.

Each candidate polls strongly in his home turf and they're about even in the state's midsection. Mr. Swann's strategy will have to focus on the eastern part of the state, where he's weakest. The challenge will be getting black Philadelphians to vote for a black Republican. He'll find that politics can be as tough as any NFL cornerback.