Pennsylvania Governor (and Clinton supporter) Ed Rendell, March 7:
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.
It ain’t just me. Expect to hear more of this as the Democrats’ endless, bloody battle drags on through the spring. The more party leaders speak up, the harder it’ll be to for the winner to refrain from at least extending the offer.
UPDATE, 3:11 p.m.: Clinton leaves the door open yet again, this time on the trail in Mississippi. Via the AP:
Speaking to voters in Mississippi, where Sen. Barack Obama is expected to do well in next week’s primary, Clinton said, “I’ve had people say, ‘Well I wish I could vote for both of you. Well, that might be possible some day. But first I need your vote on Tuesday.”
An admirable open-mindedness? Or a strategy for swaying fence-sitters? You guys tell me…
