Anyone Can Make A Difference.

In politics, the popularity of a candidate can many times overcome lack of experience.

When a celebrity throws their hat into the mix, they bring something with them that is much stronger than their platform. They bring recognition.

As Lynn Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers, shakes hands and kisses babies it poses the question "how powerful is notoriety in an election?"

As a gubernatorial candidate who hopes to win the Republican nomination and then defeat Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell in 2006, Swann joins a long list of celebrities who have decided to take a stab at politics.

But is winning realistic for the local legend?

Simply take a look at some other states. Jesse "The Body" Ventura, a former professional wrestler, was elected governor in Minnesota. And who would have guessed that Arnold Schwarzenegger could ever become governor of California.

Using those two candidates as examples, the possibilities become very real.

Whether or not Schwarzenegger was educated on the topics that were most important to Californians paled in comparison to the fact that he has been in each and every voter's living room at one time or another via blockbuster movies.

While he doesn't have the same kind of national appeal as "The Governator," Swanny does have a loyal following in this region.

Do four Super Bowls and acrobatic catches for touchdowns do enough to sway a voter who is on the fence? How about an uneducated voter who bleeds black and gold?

Nobody is saying the Swanny isn't up to speed on the issues, but in many instances, the voters are not. In that case, does a legendary athlete win your vote? Around Philadelphia, probably not. But in western Pennsylvania, perhaps.

Regardless, the odds are stacked against Swann as no incumbent governor who has run for re-election in the Keystone state has ever lost. Still, he did make one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history and for many registered voters, that is the important thing.