TodayScranton says sorry, Swann
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The Bill Scranton for Governor campaign stumbled Wednesday night when campaign manager Jim Seif called opponent Lynn Swann “the rich, white guy” in the race.
Scranton acted swiftly, firing Seif and reaching out to Swann — who is black.
Both Republicans, Scranton and Swann are battling for the GOP nomination to challenge Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat.
Seif was appearing with Swann’s campaign manager, Ray Zaborney, on a live call-in show on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).
While trying to portray Scranton, who served two terms as lieutenant governor in the Thornburgh administration, as a political outsider and Swann as the candidate favored by the GOP establishment,, Seif said “the rich white guy in this campaign is Lynn Swann.”
Quick reaction
In a hasty press release sent Wednesday night, Scranton expressed “deep personal regret and anger” over Seif’s comments, stating the remarks, “in no way whatsoever reflect my views or those of my campaign.”
Scranton added, “I want to apologize to Lynn Swann, his family, supporters and PCN viewers for the offensive and disturbing comments made on my behalf.”
The Scranton campaign has grown increasingly frustrated in recent days at Swann’s refusal to debate prior to the Republican State Committee’s expected Feb. 11 endorsement vote.
The endorsement is viewed as a crucial step towards winning the nomination.
Primary bound
On Monday, Scranton vowed to stay in the race through the May 16 primary, saying it is the only way to force Swann to debate the issues and his qualifications to be the state’s chief executive.
The former lieutenant governor said Swann implicitly endorsed an open primary when he said he is willing to participate in as many as three primary debates, but only after the committee meets. An NFL Hall of Famer who starred with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Swann has no political experience.
Swann’s team could not be reached for comment this morning.
Two polls released late last week depict a potential matchup between Rendell and Swann as a virtual tie.
Both surveys, by Zogby International and Rassmussen Reports, show Swann is in a virtual dead heat with Rendell, 43.9-43.6 percent in the Zogby poll and 45-43 percent in the Rassmussen poll. Swann trails in both, but is within the margin of error.
Meanwhile, Scranton trails by 45.7-37.9 percent in the Zogby poll and by 46-36 percent in the Rasmussen poll.
