Swann takes early lead in PA governor race.

A recent poll from Rasmussen shows the former All-Pro receiver leading incumbent Democrat Ed Rendell 45% to 43%. Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters view Swann favorably; 47% view Rendell favorably.
-Both men currently win about two thirds of the members of their respective parties. Each also wins about two thirds of self-identified liberals (Rendell) or conservatives (Swann).
-Swann attracts more votes from Democrats than Rendell does from Republican, but unaffiliated voters side with Rendell 44% to 38%. Rendell also leads among moderates 48% to 40%.
-In a poll taken in November, before Swann announced, Rendell held a 14 pt lead over Swann.
Rendell is an immensely popular governor who helped stump for John Kerry on several occassions last fall. Kerry eventually won Pennsylvania and Rendell is still mentioned as a future presidential candidate. A victory for Swann would be a huge blow but would probably be offset by a defeat of incumbent Rep. Sen. Rick Santorum.