HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate William Scranton has fired campaign manager James Seif for making disparaging comments about Lynn Swann, one of his opponents in the upcoming primary.

Seif made the comment Wednesday night, during a one-hour show on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. He was trying to portray Scranton as the outsider in the race and Swann, a sports celebrity with no experience in public service, as the choice of the GOP establishment.

"In fact, the rich white guy in this campaign is Lynn Swann," Seif said. "He's the one that hangs around the, uh..."

Swann's campaign manager, Ray Zaborney, who was also a guest on the show, interrupted Seif and said, "That's one of the most ridiculous and insulting things that I think I've heard in politics."

Scranton has issued an official apology, saying the comments "in no way whatsoever reflect my views or those of my campaign."