Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Pennsylvania Gov. endorses Clinton
By Mandy Hofmockel and Brandon Taylor
Daily Collegian (Penn State)
01/24/2008

(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell announced Wednesday in Philadelphia that he would endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, in her race for the presidency, Rendell's press secretary Chuck Ardo said.

Ardo called Clinton a "leading voice for New York" after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, adding that Rendell believes she has done an "outstanding job" in the Senate and that she has the best health care proposal.

"I have always admired Governor Rendell's energy, vision, and ability to get the job done," said Clinton in a press conference yesterday. "I'm grateful that he is helping to spread my commitment to change to the people of Pennsylvania."

Brandon Means, president of the College Republicans, said he suspected Rendell would make a presidential endorsement.

"It's not really a big surprise," he said, adding he heard rumors that Rendell could be a cabinet member or possible running mate for Clinton if she wins the primary.

Samantha Miller, spokeswoman for the College Democrats, could not be reached by press time Wednesday.

Rendell, who has "known the Clintons for many years," Ardo said, also served as the general chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 election.

"The governor's endorsement was made because he believes she is the best candidate," Ardo said, adding that recent polls did not influence the decision to endorse Clinton.

A poll released by Franklin and Marshall College put Clinton in the lead in Pennsylvania by 40 percent, with Barack Obama second place among Democrats at 20 percent.

Ardo said Clinton agrees with the governor's "point of view investing in infrastructure."

Greg Stewart, an Obama Pa. Field team member, said Rendell's endorsement will have little effect on democratic candidate Obama's campaign in the state.

"I don't think it's going to change what we're doing in Pennsylvania," Stewart said. "We're still doing what we've been doing for our own campaign."

Although the Obama campaign does not have the support of the governor, other Pa. politicians have stepped forward to support Obama, including Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Bucks, and state Rep. Tony Payton, D-Philadelphia. Both representatives campaigned for Obama in New Hampshire, Stewart said.

"As the highest elected Democratic official in Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell has every right to exercise his prerogative to continue political tradition and endorse the person of his choice for the office of President to the United States," Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney wrote in a press release.

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