Rendell and Richardson: Clinton Pick Would Work Against Obama’s Themes

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said that the argument for Barack Obama not to choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate revolves around her ties to Washington.

“Well, I think the biggest con [of a Clinton veep pick] is that Sen. Obama has talked about changing Washington from the beginning,” said Rendell, a long-time Clinton backer. “And you’re taking someone [Clinton] who has been a fixture in Washington and has done great things, and how do you reconcile that?”

Rendell was responding Thursday to a question by NBC’s Matt Lauer about the perils of making Clinton the vice presidential nominee.

Richardson, in the same interview, echoed Rendell’s answer. He said that Obama “represents change, bringing the country together, bringing people together,” “You know, Sen. Clinton, for all her great qualifications, is part of the Washington’s themes that Senator Obama has been running against.”

He added: “Nonetheless, she should be on the short list. She brings enormous assets. The key is going to be can they get along as president and as vice president, given the decisiveness of the primary?”

Watch the interview below.