BUTLER TWP — This is no game of Republican flag football. The pads are on; it's full contact — political style.

Former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton is calling out former Pittsburgh Steelers great Lynn Swann. He wants to go one-on-one and debate — now — the issues shaping this year's governor's race.

But Swann, the front-runner, has balked.

"What's he afraid of?" Scranton asked Thursday after a meet-and-greet session with county GOP activists and leaders at American Legion Post 778. "Let's see what he's got."

Scranton doesn't believe Swann, a rookie candidate, has the toughness to withstand a grueling campaign against a seasoned politico of the likes of Gov. Ed Rendell.

"Politics is a tough business and campaigns come down to a contest of strong-willed persons," Scranton said. "This campaign is not a proving ground. We can't afford to have an untested candidate going up against a candidate as tested as Ed Rendell."

Scranton wants an open primary and urges GOP leaders to stay on the sidelines and forego any endorsement.

But it appears time is running out for this son of a former governor.

His Butler stop was the latest in a frantic attempt to stave off what even he admits appears inevitable — the Republican State Committee endorsement of Swann come Feb. 11.

A football analyst for ABC, Swann has racked up impressive straw poll victories this month among Republican leaders comprising caucuses in the central and northwest regions of the state.

Similar votes are coming, including one on Tuesday when the Southwest Caucus, which includes Butler County, meets to endorse a candidate.

"Am I going to win the endorsement? Probably not, so I'm trying to make a case for the wisdom of an open primary," said Scranton, a two-term lieutenant governor under Gov. Dick Thornburgh.

An open primary would buck party tradition. Many fear a primary battle between Swann and Scranton would waste money that could be better spent against Rendell in November.

A contested primary could also develop into a negative campaign and provide fodder for Democrats.

"But I believe the alternative is worse," Scranton said. "We need a contest of ideas to field the strongest candidate. We need to make sure we nominate someone who can best compete against a governor with very strong political skills."

Kristi Storti of Cranberry Township, a state committee member leaning toward endorsing Scranton, agrees. She would like to see an open primary rather than an endorsement made by the 365 fellow committee members next month.

"I don't think 350 people should decide who our candidate for governor should be," she said. "I'd like the voters of Pennsylvania to choose."

State committee member Pat Stirling of Lancaster Township, once with one foot in Swann's camp, is now backing Scranton.

"Lynn has not yet come forward with specifics on a lot of the important issues," Stirling said. "Bill is versed on those issues and he is a proven candidate. We need that this year."

Among Butler County's other six delegates to the state committee, Ken Brennan of Lancaster Township and Jim Powers of Middlesex Township are backing Swann. Edward Green of Butler is leaning toward Swann.

Jim Kennedy of Middlesex Township was unavailable to comment on his position.

The other candidate for the GOP nomination, retired Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association chief Jim Panyard, is not competing for the endorsement.

Scranton, it appears, doesn't have much reason to hope for his coveted open primary.

The committee is "sticking with the endorsement process, absolutely," Eileen Melvin, the state's GOP chairwoman, said earlier this week.

Should he lose the endorsement, Scranton says he's prepared to stay in the primary race.