Kia Gregory reports:
When it comes to winning the White House, Governor Ed Rendell boiled the strategy down to four key states: Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.With Clinton’s victory yesterday, he endorsed her once again as “by far the strongest candidate” for the Democratic nomination in a conference call this afternoon with reporters.
And…
“If you count the Florida vote,” he said, and factor in the upcoming primaries, “I believe Senator Clinton will end up with the most popular votes, and that really cuts the knees out of Obama.”
In his ideal world, the Democratic ticket would read Clinton/Obama -- heck, even Obama/Clinton.
“Either way,” he said, “I think they would be unbeatable.”
But in the real world, Rendell admitted Obama has a strong hold.
“If anything, this goes to the convention,” where Rendell said the super delegates will play their traditional role and decide the party's strongest candidate come November.
Rendell refused to take credit for Clinton’s victory in Pennsylvania. He attributed her win to the last debate.
“In the debate, she had a much better command of the issues,” he said, “and presented herself as a better commander in chief. Senator Obama stumbled,” particularly on the issue of taxes.
Asked if he’s concerned about race dragging on, the governor said:
“I think it helps the party,” he said. “If Clinton had lost, do you think we’d have 300,000 additional Democrats on the rolls? No way.”
Even going the distance doesn’t frighten him.
“All this stuff will be forgotten,” he said, referring to the November election, “particularly if the candidates broker a ticket.”
What's Ed smoking? I want some.— Sweatheart- Congrats to us for selecting the strongest candidate who will fight for us.— Jamie
- If this nominating season were a fight,it would have been stopped last night and Clinton's hand raised. What are Obama's people going to do when they wake up on November 4th and find out that there are no caucuses?There will be no auditoriums in which thay can pack with their goons and college students to scare away senior citizens? Instead,there will be the order of the voting booth in which every citizen decides the leader of the free world in an atmosphere devoid of the rancor of the coo-coo caucuses. If the Democrats nominate Obama,they will be successful in one thing:Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Obama cannot get the votes needed by a Democrat to win in November.The older Democrats will never vote for him.These people voted for Stevenson.They voted for McGovern.They voted for Dukakis.They will not vote for Barack Obama.He is too much change for them.— bigeastbeast
- Despite my pseudonym, I'm an Independent and I vote for the best candidate. I voted twice for Bill Clinton and once for George W. Bush. But if the Democratic nominee in November asks me whether I "want four more years of Bush," I'll have to reply: "Better four more years with McCain than four more with Clinton."— amabobama
- If there is to be a next debate...I have an idea. Let Hillary suporters sit on one side...and Obama supporters sit on the other. We select 2 moderators...by pulling...2 people on the street...within 10 minutes of debate. They will take turns taking...then reading one question from the Clinton group ....and one from the Obama group. Let's see ...who can win a fair debate. Clearly, the last one in Philly was an AMBUSH...to hurt Obama.— SonnyJames
- Ed Rendell's desire to 'cut the knees out of Obama' typifies the malevolence and egotism of Hillary Clinton's campaign. Barack Obama is the only excellent choice for this country.— shanl
- Why can't she close the deal? A few moments ago, one of the little afternoon anchors, that's trying to make a name for herself- kept trying to pin down one of Barack's surrogates. She kept prodding him, asking why can't Barack seal the deal. I was asking myself, why in the world is an anchor wanting to know why he can't seal the deal, why can't she seal the deal? Here are the real questions: Why can't Senator Clinton seal the deal? Why are American's not buying her experience lock, stock, and barrel? Why is it after 16 or so years in the public eye, with name recognition, and being First Lady for eight, did she not shut this down on Super Tuesday? Why is it that most Americans find her to be untrustworthy and dishonest? How can Jr. Senator from out of nowhere blindside her and take over not only the Popular Vote and Delegate Lead, not to mention win more states? Why is it that in states where she's expected to win by 20 or more percentage points, she barely scrapes by? Why is it, that people have started to cringe when Bill Clinton opens his mouth? Why is it that the Senator feels she has to lie, flip flop, change her position, and blow up Iran? Renee Perry— iperry23
- There is no excellent choice among the current nominees. There is just compromise. It would be great if some members of either political party recognized that the American discontent has much to do with the divisive two-party system. The end is nigh. Bring up a third party. Call it Libertarian, Independents, Whigs- whatever. Just drive something to cater to the discontented middle ground unsatisfied with either party's current pandering and 6-month post-inauguration amnesiatic hypocrisy.— MtAiryGirl
- I Don't want a Couple of Marxist sympathizers as President.. McCain is the Man..— Philly-d-kidder
- I Don't want a Couple of failed socialist sympathizers as President.. McCain is the Man..— Philly-d-kidder
- Why would Florida count?? What is he talking about?— ZTG
- this election was a fraud! obama won!— bobbi
- Gov. Rendell learned the same lesson Mayor Nutter learned: in spite of the celebration they attended after Clinton won (and not by that great a margin), and after all of their attacks on Obama, the African American vote went with Obama. Neither one of them could influence the African American vote to their side. Now, say it's October '08 and Clinton is the Democratic nominee and trailing McCain in the polls. Do Rendell and Nutter think Black voters are going to come to the aid of She Who Is Imperious?? NOT! The attitudes I have heard in my community is that Black people have survived 8 years of Bush, so 4 years of McCain is better than 8 years of a(nother) self serving deceptive Clinton!— hope8325
- I can hear Eddie now at the convention, "IN THIS CORNER". Nice going democrats, you managed to let them divide the party.— FJG JR
- The sad part here is that all who voted for Clinton in PA will NEVER hear or see her again! It's too bad too... We'll see how many more vacations she spends in PA at the cottage or goes duck hunting or even has a shot and a beer at the local pub...lol Yea, lets see if good old Bill will help her bring jobs back and lets see just how much she really hate NAFTA...lol She played you like a fool..... Our only hope is that the people who still have to vote will not be suckered in..... Remember this, it's all about the clintons to the Clintons.....— JayG
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About Inquirer political writers
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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