Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Carmela Aquino Senator Hillary Clinton speaks yesterday at City Hall after Governor Ed Rendell announced his endorsement of her presidential candidacy. [Click to enlarge]

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell announced his support for Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign yesterday in a news conference at City Hall.

Clinton, a Democrat from New York, made a last-minute trip to Philadelphia to speak at the event. Rendell was also joined by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who had already announced his endorsement of Clinton.

Nutter introduced Rendell, reaffirming his own endorsement and stressing Clinton's focus on issues important to Philadelphia, such as crime and poverty.

Rendell, who has been a friend of the Clintons for over a decade, stated that he supported Clinton because of her experience and initiative.

"This senator knows what we need to do," he said, "and this senator will get it done."

Although he acknowledged that Clinton's main opponents for the Democratic presidential nomination, Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, are "fine" candidates, he emphasized his belief that Clinton will be ready for the presidency from day one.

Rendell also outlined the major successes of former President Bill Clinton's tenure, particularly its economic successes and the Clinton administration's impact on Pennsylvania.

"The Clinton years certainly had a dramatic effect on the trajectory of Pennsylvania," he said.

Rendell cited Mrs. Clinton's plans regarding universal health care, education reform and the economy as major reasons for supporting her campaign.

In her remarks, Clinton outlined her proposed initiatives on those three issues, as well as energy consumption and the war in Iraq.

"We have a lot of work to do," she said. "We just need to organize the economy and get the right government incentives."

When asked about the sparks that flew between herself and Obama during Monday's Democratic debate in South Carolina, Clinton acknowledged that the coming months will be an "intense" primary season, but once the Democratic candidate is chosen this summer, the party will unite behind whichever candidate the voters choose.

Pennsylvania's primary will not be held until April 22, and the frontrunners for both the Democratic and Republican nominations will likely be clear by that point.

However, Rendell said he declared his support for Clinton with the hope of giving her more support in the New Jersey and Delaware primaries, both of which will take place on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5.

"I'm willing to do anything I can to help in South Jersey and Delaware between now and Feb. 5," Rendell said.

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