Heath Shuler, Winner -- Lynn Swann, Loser

Not on the football field of course - tho Shuler did well in college - but on their maiden jouneys into the political arenas.

An interesting lead article in the Sports section of today's USA Today compares the campaigns of the two.

Swann is trailing badly in his bid to be governor of Pennsylvania. A great player like he is must know by now that you still need a good if not great quarterback. And the signal caller on his team -the GOP - is considered by many to be the most addle-brained to ever play the game at that position.

The people of Pennsyvania are sick of Bush and his failed foreign policy, as well as massive job loss overseas. Swanny will need an Immaculate Reception to pull it out. But GW is no TB.

If Swann makes another bid for public office he'd do well to first check out the smarts of the team leader, before he lines up on the flank.

Shuler almost won the Heisman as qb at Tennessee, but pretty much flopped as a pro. But he's in the red zone now and appears to be ready to punch it over the line --- he has a solid lead against a long time Republican congressman in an area where he grew up, in western N Carolina, not that far from where he starred at the Univ of Tennessee.

Football, notes USA today, is big in that region, so Shuler had instant name recognition. And likely the people have tired of the arrogance, corruption and gross mistakes of the party in power. A phenemona that is apparently widespread, not just on gambling forums.

also, athletes are much more prone to be voted in as congressmen then governors. as a congressmen, they dont have much power so you just use name recognition or who you like when you vote. however, as governor people consider your qualifications much more seriously and swann doesnt really have any.

To be fair to Swann he was in an uphill battle from the beginning. No Pa. governor has ever lost for relection. (they have only allowed relection since the early 60's but still a long time). The machinery (and purse) of state government there is controlled by the governor to a greater extent than in many states regardless of party. It didn't help that Swann was found not to have even voted in 12 of last 28 oppurtunities.

At one time, in Iowa, former Hawkeye wrestling coach, Dan Gable was being courted by the Republicans to run for governor. Gable was and is basically a god in Iowa, but after much thought he decided against the run. He was an action person, and expected things to get done quickly. But that doesn't usually happen in politics.