Seeking Votes

Those seeking office are shaking hands, making speeches and calling radio talk shows. Yet only a few have actually announced they are running. Bill Scranton made his second appearance in 3 weeks on our program. He has now officially announced he wants the top job in PA and is beginning to answer specific questions. (sort of)

Scranton was asked on the show about the issue of abortion. He claims to be in favor of a partial birth abortion ban. This practice is so barbaric that there are even some in the "pro-choice" camp that cringe at it. Yet Scranton also said he would ban state money for abortions in a greater effort to reduce or eliminate abortions in the state.

He also tossed out a few conservative names to support his efforts. Glenn Meakem and former state Rep. Jeff Coleman have been given senior campaign positions with Scrantons' campaign.

While the abortion question is often asked of candidates by most Christians, the one question that was not asked of Scranton was his involvement with the Transcendental Meditation movement. Claims have been made that Scranton is concealing his ties to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Maharishi University. His daughter, Elizabeth Scranton, is a recent graduate of said university. Scranton has claimed in other interviews these connections no longer exist and has explained that he became involved in the Maharishi's movement when he had a drug problem and they helped him quit. While Scranton may have broken past ties, the issue is bound to surface as he seeks GOP approval.

The Republican National Committee seems to adore Steelers legend Lynn Swann. He was standing by the side of President Bush in his re-election campaign while his team mate Franco Harris was elbow to elbow with Sen. John Kerry. While Swann has not officially announced, he has done everything just short of doing so.

Swann also has a few names in his corner. Former Republican State Committee Chairman Alan Novak and Republican National Committeewoman Christine Toretti Olson. It will be interesting to see if the White House makes a move to repay Swann for his Bush re-election efforts. There has also been some speculation the Swann could go after Dan Onoratos' job as Allegheny County Executive if he does not make a run for Governor.

Conservative Jim Panyard, wants to run as well. He may do so as the Constitution Party third-party candidate. Panyard (who was also on the show) is campaigning on a ban on abortion, a commitment to hang the 10 commandments on the wall of the governorÂ’s office, rolling back gay rights, ending corporate welfare and cutting state spending. The problem is he is not making much impact in any of the polls.

Then we also have State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola who has tossed his hat into the ring running as a pro-life convert and tax reformer.

It's early in the race, but there is already much to ponder with the folks who seek to serve us.