Friends, looking for a job? Perhaps Gov. Rendell can lend an ambivalent hand.

Consider this stunning endorsement. "I have been asked by counsel for defendant Vincent J. Fumo to write a letter to the Court regarding his upcoming sentencing. I do so willingly but with mixed feelings," Rendell wrote Judge Ronald Buckwalter, possibly with an arm twisted behind his back.

Fumo was once one of Ed's many BFFs.

In politics, forever is a fungible concept. Basically, it means until federal indictment or you lose control over the state Senate Appropriations Committee.

Of Fumo, due to be sentenced Tuesday, Rendell observed, "His conduct has cast doubt on the rest of us who devote our lives to public service. This is something that I on a personal basis cannot forgive him for."

Gee, Ed, don't hold back.

"This sometimes ruthless politician had and still has a deep sense of social responsibility and a strong caring for the plight of the most unfortunate members of our society."

Don't know about you, but ruthless was the deal-breaker for me.

"I do believe, however, we are all complex people," Rendell therapized.

True! Fumo, for one, could be ruthless and selfless.

Sometimes, Rendell reflected, Fumo went so far as to help people "who do not live in his district (!) and therefore could not vote for him (!!) and almost all of whom did not have the wherewithal to contribute to his campaign or to any of his projects (!!!!)."

(OK, I added the exclamation marks for dramatic readings at home and as an homage to Fumo, knowing how partial he is to exuberant punctuation, especially toward people he was not inclined to help.)

When a politician is willing to step outside his district, that ought to count for something. Indeed, as Rendell wrote, "the good that Vince Fumo did should count for something; in fact, it should count for a great deal."

Perhaps when Buckwalter's done, he could pass along the letter to the Nobel Peace Prize committee in Oslo.

The governor could have a future in composing character references for individuals in search of compassion. Consider these possibilities:

Your Honor:

I write this letter voluntarily for defendant Bernard Madoff, though I'm addled by a severe case of nausea. This sometimes worthless excuse for a Homo sapiens has and continues to possess a complex, often busted moral compass, coupled with an innate sense of the inherent weakness of the most gullible yet deep-pocketed investors in our financial marketplace. However, $65 billion? Impressive! Even I can't shake that out of the DRPA.

Rendell could tend to the lovelorn, mending broken hearts and busted political careers.

Dear Jenny Sanford:

I send this missive of my own volition mixed with a gallon of crocodile tears topped with a splash of bitters. I think it is beyond dispute that your husband, though not your soul mate, has overshared, confusing the Associated Press with Dr. Phil, while adding one more unstable wackjob to an already crowded pool at the next National Governors Association shindig. Plus, Mark's completely ruled out the possibility of our meeting in Buenos Aires. Bummer. Still, he's one awesome hombre.

Knowing his passion for sports, Rendell could assist in winning leniency for former Phillie Lenny Dykstra as he wrangles a mass of debt in bankruptcy court.

Dear Magistrate:

Lenny has asked me to write this letter on his behalf. I do so vigorously but with convoluted emotions, negligible investment and a hidden agenda. Sure, this sometimes charmless center fielder boasted of unsubstantiated financial acumen. Nevertheless, I'm sure Your Honor is aware that Nails took the Phils to the 1993 World Series. Dude took a gamble. I want all Pennsylvanians to gamble.

On the other hand, Toronto won.

Governor: Keep those letters coming. You have 17 months left in Harrisburg. I respectfully submit that I'm already mourning your loss.

Contact staff writer Karen Heller at 215-854-2586 or kheller@phillynews.com.