Rendell Is A ‘Little Wary’ After Obama’s Victory

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said that though likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will be “a fine candidate” in the general election, Hillary Clinton would have been stronger.

“I am excited about Barack Obama’s candidacy. But I think Hillary Clinton would have been a stronger candidate,” Rendell said on CNN Wednesday. “And it’s so important that we change the White House. And from that standpoint, I’m a little wary.”

Rendell, an early supporter of Clinton’s campaign, said he wouldn’t have any problems getting behind Obama. But he pointed out that Clinton received more votes than her rival in the last three months.

“He’s smart as a whip,” Rendell said of Obama. “I think he’s got the backbone and the courage to lead this country. He’s got some work to do, though. There’s no question. I mean, look at the results of the last three months. You can’t deny that.”

Rendell added that he thought Clinton would soon support Obama now that he has secured the nomination. But Rendell suggested that Obama hold fundraisers to help pay off Clinton’s campaign debt.

“He can’t write her a check or anything like that. But he may do some [fundraisers]. And by the way, it’s our obligation,” Rendell said. “I helped pay off the debt of my primary opponents in the past and the winning candidate sort of always shoulders that burden because he or she wants to unify the party. There’s nothing unusual about that.”