Governor Ed Rendell Hints That Mark Penn Should Be Fired

This has, undoubtedly, been a very tough week for Sen. Hillary Clinton's chief campaign strategist, Mark Penn.

First, news breaks that he met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. to discuss passage of a bilateral free-trade agreement - a pact Clinton opposes. Then, there is confusion over whether he held the meeting as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide or as a representative of the senator. And finally, he calls the meeting an error in judgment only to be fired by Colombia (for that statement) the very next day.

Now, it seems, the blowback has begun.

Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Gov. Ed Rendell, a key surrogate to Sen. Clinton was asked whether, in the wake of the Colombia mess, the campaign should considering Penn's firing.

His answer was hardly a vote of confidence. Why stop at just the Colombia mess?

"Well there are a lot of issues in which you can raise that question, Tim," Rendell told host Tim Russert. "I think you've got to make it very clear for someone who is a consultant, who you are representing and who you are not representing and I would hope that Mr. Penn when he talked to the Colombians made that clear. And it doesn't sound to me like he did and that's something the campaign should take into question."

Ever the good sport, Rendell went from there to discuss Sen. Clinton's history of opposing free trade agreements that did not come with labor or environmental standards.

But, it must be noted, that this isn't the first time Penn's business involvements have caused political headaches for his candidate. Indeed, the Burson CEO has represented the energy-giant Exelon, at the same time he was criticizing Sen. Barack Obama for his ties to the company. He has also been involved with a list of businesses embroiled in deep-seated labor disputes including, as the Huffington Post reported, New Era Cap.

Comments

[NoFactsJustTruth]

How about then replacement Wolfson and HIS lobbyist income from foreign governments, not to mention what 'the Clintons' themselves have accepted from PACS representing other governments?

[anghiari]

I thought that Ed Rendell was going to admit that Marc penn is really Ed and Hillary's love child. Thus her reluctance to send him packing sooner!

[awb]

is there anyone following this campaign who honestly thinks Ed Rendell did not know today was Mark Penn's last day on the Clinton campaign BEFORE the MTP appearance today?

He was the advance man --

They are going to try and spin this as Hillary has so much integrity --
but most people will see this for what it is
Hillary - as Bill - surrounded themselves with loyalistsand cronies who tell them what they want to hear
Hillary - unlike Bill - does not even know how to manage a campaign

Ed Rendell is yesterday's politics -
Time to look forward

[suekzoo]

If they were smart (the Clinton campaign), they would have fired Penn ahead of MTP so that Rendell could have gone on and mopped up afterward and extolled the campaign's virtues of having handled it.

As it is, Penn asked to step down, was not fired, and will still have a role. The whole thing reeks of weak management.

[ann1]

Was Rendell in "Good Fellows"?

[anthonylee]

I think the MSM is "pressing" Rendell because they're hoping for a "Foot-in-M­outh-Momen­t" sound-bite that would drive their ratings. There is no iota of respect, statesmanship or class that Rendell brings to the Governor's Office in Pennsylvania. His "sheister-esq" style is making PA the laughing stock of this Primary.

The fact of the matter is that no one should give a rat's ass what Rendell thinks, especially where Hillary's Campaign is concerned.

Why isn't anyone asking what Gov. Daniels (IN) or Gov. Easley (NC) thinks about Penn?

[margi]

I thought he was completely canned. My mistake, the guy is still giving advice, which means he is and will always run the show. He holds the keys to her campaign he knows too nuch to be let go. Unfortunately , it is a huge mistake to keep him. He managed to tarnish HRC candidacy, now she is desperate, it is too late now. He did not have her best interest in mind , he took all the do he could. At the end of the day he did a deservice to all democrats.
Even if HRC is running against Barack Obama she is not his ennemy, But This guy Penn destroyed everything because he wanted to rip her off. Hopefully she will learn from this. Tomorrow something else will come up.

[repent1]

Does Hilliary think we are stupid? According to campaign manager Maggie Williams said "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign." He should have been fired immediatly and have no part in Hlillary's campaign. This is hypocrisy at its highest. She is a dishonest and she is a liar. She will say and do anything to win.

Rendell needs to explain why He and Louis Farrakhan were on the same stage. Read article on the following web site: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DD173FF936A25757C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1

[treadway123]

I hope pennsylvania is reading all this! It will explain who was busy out sourceing thie jobs behind thier back! Stilll Clinton kept Pen on for advice and polling. I think they are scimming money into Penns account so it look legidament. So , if they lose, they all get to keep millions of dollars the American people sent her. Why alse would any one give Penn 10 Million dollars so consulting for a campagne? Just a thought there, people. But I sure wouldn't send her another dime, to give to Penn and Associates!

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Rendell gave Penn the kiss of death. Rendell reminds me of a cross between a used car salesman and a mobbed up union boss.

[cspanwatcher]

Rendell actually called Obama disingenuous!
you can hear the clip at:
http://inewstube.com/smm/ed_rendell_obamas_special_interest_claim_disingenuous.html

[FairyTale]

Rendell should be fired too!

[shoeshoot]

i wish that my governor would worry about what is wrong in pa that he isn't fixing instead of hillary and her camp. i am so sick of him being on tv instead of taking care of our failing schools, bridges breaking down, crime running out of control, pheaa stealing money, etc. he cares more about hillary than fixing the problems here.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

Amen!

[huffhuffpass]

She can't run her campaign properly, and some believe she can put together a competent cabinet?

[DSM1]

Of course Rendel said this, because he knew it was all going to come out so that the campaign had to fire him.
The real issue is that the Clinton campaign must have known about this all along.

[TheRebel82]

It's kinda pathetic that Clinton didnt fire this completely inept person Mark Penn. This guy couldnt run a high school campaign.

[ChandraSF]

Was it just a coincidence that the Colombian President criticized Obama the day after Mark Penn's visit there?

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g0QWd0hI_BMCPs0zeVkg0oenx6RAD8VQ2HJO0

or was Mr Penn stirring things up? How effective would someone in Mark Penn's position be, advising a foreign head on sensitive trade issues with the inside track on Hillary's thinking? He probably said something like, "Listen Amigo, all this criticism of NAFTA is just politics. Wait till after the November election, we'll get you the votes for favorable treatment. Listen, the Bill Clinton foundation has $500 million sitting there to buy influence, and don't think we are not going to use it. You are going to be just fine. By the way, my invoice from January has not yet been paid. Would appreciate if you could take care of that. Another thing, amigo, maybe you want to donate $5 million to the Bill Clinton Foundation, yes? For that Bill Clinton will take your calls anytime during day or night, even at 3am"

Upon his return to the US, Mr Penn declared, "That was a bone headed decision to go to Colombia, but I can assure you there is no conflict of interest involved between my advising the Clinton campaign in a personal capacity, and going to Colombia as the CEO of my company."

[spaceman3838]

Celebrating Women: A Note from Dr. Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I"ll rise.

This is not the first time you have seen Hillary Clinton seemingly at her wits end, but she has always risen, always risen, much to the dismay of her adversaries and the delight of her friends.

Hillary Clinton will not give up on you and all she asks of you is that you do not give up on her.

There is a world of difference between being a woman and being an old female. If you"re born a girl, grow up, and live long enough, you can become an old female. But, to become a woman is a serious matter. A woman takes responsibility for the time she takes up and the space she occupies.

Hillary Clinton is a woman. She has been there and done that and has still risen. She is in this race for the long haul. She intends to make a difference in our country.

She is the prayer of every woman and man who long for fair play, healthy families, good schools, and a balanced economy.

She declares she wants to see more smiles in the families, more courtesies between men and women, more honesty in the marketplace. Hillary Clinton intends to help our country to what it can become.

She means to rise.

Rise Hillary.

maybe this women is racist

[Sabreen60]

Please do not use Dr. Maya Angelou and Hillary Clinton in the same context. Hillary has lied repeatedly to not only women but men as well. Hillary should not be mentioned in the same breath as Maya Angelou. If fact, it is an insult to Maya Angelou.

Rendell is an idiot. When asked why Clinton should receive the delegates or votes in Michigan since Obama's name was not on the ballot. He said and I paraphrase that it is harder to run against yourself than running against someone else. Idiot!!!