Governor

By now I am sure almost all of you have seen the latest edition of JibJab.coms campaign 2008. An interesting note is Governor Ed Rendell makes a small cameo appearance in the movie during Hillary Clinton’s 2012 rally. The one thing that cannot be denied is his loyalty.

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Kathleen McGinty gave her notice last week to Governor Ed Rendell.  McGinty, who has been with the administration longer than most people have stayed with Rendell, has been a star for Rendell.  McGinty has proven to be a loyal soldier, articulate speaker and brilliant resource for the governor.  With her departure speculation began immediately that McGinty was laying the ground work for a run to be Rendell’s replacement.  After talking to a variety of prominent Democratic activists and fundraisers we have confirmed McGinty is indeed making her calls, but there is no mention of a run for Governor at this time. 

PHILADELPHIA -- After a weekend in which he seemed to relish the role of playing host, Gov. Ed Rendell this morning was formally named chairman of the National Governors Association, continuing a political rise that has gained steam in recent months.

Assuming the organization's leadership during the closing meeting of its annual conference here, Rendell reitereated that the emphasis of his year-long tenure as chair would be on repairing the nation's crumbling infrastructure. Infrastructure has long been a pet issue of his in Pennsylvania.

“It is not the sexiest of issues," Rendell acknowledged. "It certainly doesn’t compete with health care an energy on the radar screen … but in many ways it’s as important as any single thing we can do.

"Now is the time when we can repair our nation’s infrastructure for significantly less than it will cost us 5 years down the road," he added.

PHILADELPHIA -- Mayor Michael Nutter played to the crowd here during his opening remarks of this weekend's National Governors Association meeting Friday night.

At one point, Gov. Ed Rendell whispered in his ear to mention something about the famous, but unusual brightly-uniformed Mummers.

Here is a video of Nutter's remarks:

Gov. Ed Rendell delivers opening remarks at the NGA meeting with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, left, and Mayor Michael Nutter, rightPHILADELPHIA -- After his brief opening remarks kicked off this weekend's centennial meeting of the National Governors Association here Friday, PolitickerPA.com caught up with Gov. Ed Rendell for a brief interview on the famous Art Museum steps.

Rendell is poised to assume leadership of the NGA this weekend from current chair Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.

In his opening remarks, he thanks the NGA for choosing Philadelphia, and made sure to point out the scenery of the steps, where Sylverster Stalone's "Rocky" famously trained in the movie.

"You're welcome to try it; there's no liability to the city or the state if anyting happens going up the stairs," he cracked, "but you're welcome to try it."

Here is PolitickerPA.com's interview with Rendell.

Does Dan Onorato have a drinking problem?

If he does, it's not the kind that involves kicking back with a few beers. His problem may be political fallout after the Allegheny County executive and early gubernatorial favorite adopted a 10 percent tax on alcoholic beverages.

The Morning Call reports that since Allegheny County adopted the tax two months ago, Onorato, a Democrat, "has found himself the butt of jokes, the subject of a song parody and even challenged to a boxing match."

For almost two years, Gov. Ed Rendell has worked against staunch neighborhood resistance to proposed casinos in Philadelphia. Even as some residents who once revered him as the city's mayor grew to loath him for his acceptance of the slot parlors planned for the Delaware River waterfront, Rendell has always sided with the casino developers.

When neighborhood activists continued to push the casinos to consider other sites further from residential areas, Rendell wrote to one that "the issue of re-siting is over." When City Council continued to cause delays, he sharply criticized local lawmakers as having "no guts."

But now that some of his staunchest Harrisburg allies from Philadelphia are lining up against him, Rendell appears to be bending, if not breaking, on the casino issue. On Friday, the man who championed casinos in Pennsylvania said "the political landscape has changed" and that he would meet with the casino developers to discuss moving the projects elsewhere.

Still, even as he signaled his first significant shift on casinos after long lauding their potential for proving tax relief, Rendell, a Democrat, sounded a note of caution.

"I'll meet and make a good-faith effort to explore the potential benefits of re-siting," he said, "but nobody should get too excited. The only way these casinos can be legally re-sited is if the casinos voluntarily agree."

Is it ever to early to start picking sides?  Sure the 2008 election has not even hit its peak yet, but it’s never too early to start talking about 2010.  At least that is how it seems when you look at my inbox today. 

Earlier today, U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan announced he would be stepping down later this month. 

According to a reliable Southeast Republican leader, Patrick Meehan is indeed planning on running for Governor.  While Meehan sidestepped the question at a news conference today Inside Edge has learned he indeed is planning on running for Governor and this is the first step in laying the groundwork. 

Another source who also confirmed his intent told Inside Edge Meehan is stepping down as to not become a holdover who could be let go if Barack Obama won the presidency.  This also allows Meehan to be in the field prior to November’s election and help other candidates.

Gov. Ed Rendell: Getty Images PhotoNobody ever said Gov. Ed Rendell took things sitting down.

The governor has formed a grassroots group for Democrats who, while disappointed by U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-N.Y.) defeat, plan to support U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Called Hillary-Obama-United-Not-Divided, or HOUND, it was created in response to a group called PUMA, short for Party unity, my ass. That group seeks to dissuade former Clinton supporters from voting for Obama.

The governor, who was one of Clinton's most high-profile supporters, wrote the group's credo, which appears on the state Democrats' Web site. Rendell wrote that former Clinton supporters should vote for Obama not because of party loyalty, but because his policies are nearly identical to hers.