Reply #26: It's not Ed Rendell's time yet [View All]

[Penndems]

He still has work to do in Pennsylvania. Maybe in '06.

John, I worked on Governor Rendell's campaign in the Harrisburg office. On the day of the '02 Pennsylvania Democratic Primary, the Sheet Metal Workers Union was out at the polls for Rendell en masse statewide. A great bunch of folks.

However, the AFSME people were against Ed Rendell from the get-go. They supported Bob Casey, because AFSME management told their rank-and-file that Rendell would cut their jobs. My understanding is that his problems with the Philly unions came when he asked them to make concessions to get that city fiscally back on track -- short-term pain for long-term gain, so to speak. Everyone that I've ever spoken with from Philadelphia during the campaign said the same thing: He's a great guy who turned that city around. One gentleman opined to me that "Ed don't bullshit."

I signed up before we moved back to Northern Virginia to receive Governor Rendell's E-mail newsletter, so that I could keep up with his accomplishments (I'm the reverse of you: From Northern Virginia, moved to PA when husband was transferred there). Here's the link, in case you're interested:

http://www.state.pa.us/governor/site/default.asp

PA also has an outstanding cable source: The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). You can stream various legislative, news and information programs using Real Video.

http://www.pcntv.com/