What has been known for months finally became official on Wednesday: former Steeler great Lynn Swann declared himself a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor -- and he did it without any sense of anticlimax or stale formality. Indeed, if the enthusiasm of the 500-strong crowd was any guide, the race just got a welcome burst of voltage.

Those gathered at the Senator John Heinz Pittsbugh Regional History Center were treated to the reasons why Mr. Swann should not be taken lightly. In a 25-minute speech undertaken without notes, he was fluent and relaxed, showing off some of the skills that have made him in his post-Steelers years a well-liked TV sports commentator.

Projecting a positive image and making an easy connection with crowds of onlookers is a political skill, but it isn't the full measure of a would-be public official. Although some people may sneer at the notion, politics is an art in the service of a profession, and its best practitioners have served an apprenticeship that has taught them when to compromise and when to stand on principle. They have taken stands on issues and have learned something by defending them.

Mr. Swann declared he was a conservative and an agent for change, but once again he did not provide details of what this means as a practical matter. Implicitly, he invited the voters to support him on the basis of his fame from football, both as player and commentator, and the good feelings that naturally attach to him as a result.

But name recognition doesn't paper over the fact that Mr. Swann is seeking to be the top public official in Pennsylvania when he hasn't served a day on council in Sewickley Heights, where he lives, or in any other elected position. In contrast, his most prominent opponents have paid their dues. Bill Scranton was the lieutenant governor; Jeffrey Piccola is a state senator.

Theoretically, a bright and attractive person could walk in and be a good leader, although that would make politics unique among almost all other jobs. In reality, those who have tried to parlay celebrity into a political career have often run into trouble. Jesse Ventura was something of a disaster as governor of Minnesota, and Californians are now becoming disenchanted with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The one exception may be Ronald Reagan, but he certainly benefited by being governor of California before going to the White House.

This is not to discourage Mr. Swann from running. We are glad he is doing so because he brings much-needed excitement to the race -- and if this disturbs the complacency of Gov. Ed Rendell, all the better.

No, our comments are to encourage him to put aside the platitudes and state clearly where he stands. The only way for him to overcome the impression that he has not paid his dues is to demonstrate that he has knowledge equal to or better than his opponents. In short, if he wants to be taken seriously, he must make a serious effort to show that his star is more than the glimmer of celebrity.