Lynn Swann, Rich White Guy

Say what! Well, that's what the campaign manager for Swanny's primary opponent says:

A gubernatorial candidate challenging pro football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann in the Republican primary fired his campaign manager after the man told a televised call-in show: "The rich white guy in this campaign is Lynn Swann."

Bill Scranton, a former lieutenant governor who is white and comes from a wealthy family, also issued an apology to Swann after his campaign manager's comments Wednesday.

The remarks by James Seif "in no way whatsoever reflect my views or those of my campaign," Scranton said. "I want to apologize to LynnSwann, his family, supporters and PCN viewers for the offensive and disturbing comments made on my behalf."

Swann, a former Pittsburgh Steelers star, is seeking to become Pennsylvania's first black governor.

Two comments: 1. Scranton can write off any chances of winning now and should just pack it up and concede. 2. When did "rich white guy" become an epithet? That's something a rich white liberal Dem might come up with, but a Republican? C'mon.

These are the kinds of tactics being used by Michael Steele's racist opponents in Maryland, but they're Democrats and it's to be expected (though not tolerated) from them. Scranton will be permanently damaged by this, and his hopes of getting any minority support in the primary just went poof.