Swann keyed his answers to a suburban audience

On violence, Lynn Swann did not come across as a "over my cold dead hands" Republican. Instead, he talked about solving the causes of crime - despair, poor education. Meanwhile Rendell came across with his typical blather of "I did this" and "I did that" which sounds good until you realize that things have gotten worse, not better, since he came into office.

On property taxes, I really wasn't paying attention because the guy asking the question sounded like he just swallowed helium. Not really. He asked Rendell about his failure to solve property taxes. Rendell answered his typical nonsense of how he has cut property taxes. (Why Republicans enacted his bill is beyond me.) Swann retorted well, pointing out that Rendell's plan falls short of real reform and does not address the underlying structural problem. In short, Rendell sounded like a hack, Swann like a statesman.

On crime, Swann pointed out that Rendell has become an election year convert to reform. Rendell did not contest the fact and came across with the usual generic nonsense about gun control laws. He called for a press conference with Swann calling for one gun a month. Honestly, what do Philadelphia voters see in this clown? One of the people asking questioners pointed out that you can still collect 12 guns a year. Rendell's answer was unintelligible.

On the payraise, Rendell said it was a mistake for Ridge to give a pay raise. Gee Ed. That was how many years ago? Moreover, it has nothing to do with it. Swann, as usual, hit on the issue very hard. His point that Rendell fails on his promise to cut property taxes but finds time to raise the salaries in Harrisburg exponentially. Swann turned the experience issue against Rendell, asking how someone who is an attorney and a district attorney could have failed to understand what he was signing.

On education, Rendell poured out his litany of nonsense, choking on the phrase "No Child Left Behind." Apparently it does work Ed? Then he said that there are "tremendous results." Really Ed? Swann answered the question personally, and stressed how, as an African-American, he is offended by the results. Hopefully African-Americans in Philadelphia heard that. The moderator tried to trip Swann up, and Swann answered it perfectly. It's okay Jim (the moderator) - tomorrow you can go back to shrilling for Eddie.

On health insurance, Rendell talked about pouring more dollars into the problem. Swann answered by talking about what would really solve the problem - tort reform. Once again, Swann is showing he is easily the equal of the clown on the stage.

On homeland security, the moderator, like a good Philadelphia Democrat, made snide comments about Bush and Cheney. Swann strangely tossed the question to Rendell. It wasn't the best move he could have made in the debate, although, honestly, it was a very stupid question.

On SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), Swann easily recovered by pointing out that a report documenting the problems of SEPTA was released in early 2004, 2 years ago. Swann, as usual, came across as the model of fiscal conservatism and restraint. Rendell talked about flexing money. Flexing money and flexing his mouth. That's the entirety of Ed Rendell's legacy in this state.

On education, Swann touched the crucial issues of Pennsylvania losing jobs, especially recently. Rendell talked about spending more. Fiscal restraint vs. a spendaholic liberal. That seems to be the choice for Pennsylvania voters this fall.

On zoos, Swann missed a huge opportunity to say we need to put an elephant back in the gubernatorial chair. Well I mean party wise. I know weight wise, we have one.

On term limits and reducing the size of the legislature, Rendell said we need term limits and a smaller legislature and citizen politicians. He then said that some legislators said they would vote for one gun a month, but don't because they would be "killed" in the district. Swann ran with Rendell's answer like it was a football.

At the end, Rendell talked about how life improved in Philadelphia since he became Mayor. Really? Wow. Swann ended talking about how Rendell is more rhetoric than reforms and results.

Now tomorrow, Ed Rendell's shrills in the Philadelphia media will glow with how well Rendell did and how he's wonderful, how lucky we are to have him, etc., etc. The truth is that Swann, once again, matched or beat Rendell in this debate

In 2002, Rendell rolled out of Philadelphia and the four suburban counties with a 500,000 vote majority. If Swann can reduce that to 300,000 he certainly has a chance to win on election day. We'll see in a few weeks.