Former Pittsburgh Steeler and sportscaster Lynn Swann continues to lag far behind incumbent Democratic Governor Ed Rendell. Rendell now leads the Republican challenger 56% to 38% (see crosstabs). That's not much different from our October 16 poll, when Rendell led 57% to 40%.

Swann's campaign started promisingly enough, and he was in a toss-up with the Governor until the spring. But some political observers say that after ably laying the groundwork for an easy primary win, he and his team committed blunder after blunder in the general election phase of the campaign. Others contend that he grew into his role as a candidate as time went on, and that he held his own in debates with the incumbent.

Recent campaign reports indicate that Swann's campaign has little more than $318,000 in the bank. The Governor is a veteran fundraiser who has reportedly raised $30 million for his reelection bid.

And Swann, a newcomer to politics, has been unable to shake off the charge that he's too inexperienced to run a big state like Pennsylvania.

Rendell is now viewed favorably by 60%, Swann by 56%. Although their overall ratings are comparable, Rendell is viewed "very favorably" by more (26%) and "very unfavorably" by more (21%). Swann is several points lower in each category.

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