Ed Rendell is a Hillary supporter who thinks white people from the state he governs won't vote for Barack Obama. But despite his confidence in the small-mindedness of his fellow Pennsylvanians, he seems pretty sure Hillary's not going to win the nomination. This must be because he can count, unlike everyone in the Clinton inner circle. Here's Ed's big idea (via Ambinder):
Brownstein: Do you think it would make sense for the winner to offer the Vice Presidency to the loser, either way?
Rendell: I do - and that doesn’t mean the loser has to accept. But I think it’s important that it be offered, and if the loser doesn’t accept, I think the loser can say why. But no, I think that would be very, very important. You know, obviously, I’d love to see a Clinton/Obama ticket. But if Senator Obama won, I think his offering it to Senator Clinton would be a great gesture. I’m not sure she would take it, I’m not sure he would take it. But either way, I think that it would be good if the offer were made.
Brownstein: Would you encourage either one to take it, if it was offered, if you were asked?
Rendell: Sure, sure. I mean, I think you’ve got to do it.
Ed: let's do a little hypothetical. Imagine somebody's told lies about you repeatedly on TV; let's say somebody has called you a "kid" when you're 48 years old; let's say they've taken a photo of you and used computer technology to darken your skin and widen your nose. Would you call those things "great gestures"? Cause I'd call them textbook Rovian, Atwaterian, GOP-sleaze tactics.
But forget for a second how Barack Obama might feel about Hillary for her kitchen sink full of crapola. Do we really need another asshole in the Vice President's office? Another asshole who considers the Republican nominee a "great friend"?
Sorry, Ed. Senator Clinton will have to live in her "home" state of NY for a long time.