Gabbin' with the Gov

by Mary F. Patel

Gov. Ed Rendell was the main attraction for the closing party of the 31st annual Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Convention, held at the National Constitution Center last Saturday night. The gov was a particularly interesting draw because of the recent turn of events in the presidential election: The hundred or so journalists from around the country who gathered to listen to him were clearly more intrigued by his thoughts on the national political picture than the current state of affairs in Pennsylvania.

The governor did not offer prepared remarks, opting instead to open the floor for questions.

It had been a rough week for him, his preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton, having conceded to Barack Obama. He appeared to be trying to re-establish himself after betting a lot of political capital on the wrong horse. (Some other elected officials in the state, such as U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, had the foresight to go with Obama.)

Rendell had gone on national TV to give his take on what was next for the candidates; he'd also been quoted as saying that Obama had the right to choose whomever he wanted as his running mate, and that it didn't necessarily have to be his vanquished opponent.

Hugh E. Dillon Ed Rendell & Chelsea Clinton (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

"But she would make a great vice president," Rendell said. "She is all about change, like changing the health-care system."

He was perhaps able to become a national political pundit so easily because of his stint as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, from 1999 to 2001. His toughest task in that job was to oversee the 2000 Democratic National Convention, when Vice President Al Gore accepted the nomination to run against George W. Bush; there was, of course, subsequent uncertainy over who won the election, and when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush, Rendell publicly urged Gore to concede. This won him some enemies among rank-and-file Democrats, and he stepped down from the DNC post shortly after.

At the AAN convention, Rendell's audience wanted to know if the gov would accept an offer to run for vice president, should Obama ask him. It might make sense, after all, for Obama to pick someone from a key state like this one or Ohio, where Gov. Ted Strickland has come out for Obama. But Southern votes are also important to the Democratic nominee, and Virginia's junior Sen. Jim Webb is reportedly on the VP short list.

Rendell has said numerous times he's not interested in running, but some believe that, if asked, he would.

Given his glowing remarks about Clinton that night, it seemed Rendell would prefer for her to take the VP role. But strategists worry that a minority and a woman on the same ticket would doom the Democrats against Republican nominee John McCain.

Attorney and political strategist Nelson Diaz says it would be easier to pick a white man as a vice-presidential contender, and that though Clinton might be suitable, she has issues.

"Hillary brings out the best and worst in voters," says Diaz. "The right hate her, but she did bring out 18 million people to vote for her."

He thinks Rendell would be a good choice given his state's importance, and says he sent a letter to Obama's campaign suggesting they seriously consider the Pennsylvania governor.

Back at the party, a reporter asked Rendell what he thought of current DNC Chairman Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont and a former presidential candidate.

Rendell said Dean was a mixed bag, sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good; a great background strategist, but a politician whose public persona is lacking.

"Howard should lighten up," said Rendell.

Would that anger the chairman?

Perhaps a better question is, would it matter? Dean's days as chair may be numbered anyway, depending on what Obama wants to do.

"The DNC belongs to Obama now," said Rendell.

(rcpatel@aol.com)