Ridge: Rendell worth at least a few points for Obama

Former Gov. Tom Ridge (R) told PolitickerPA.com in an interview Monday that current Gov. Ed Rendell (D) is worth a few percentage points to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) this fall.

"I don't know if it's 2 or 3 points, but he's got Democrats controlling the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia," Ridge said. "There's a certain home-field advantage."

Rendell's presence, the state's undeniable leftward shift, and the resulting surge in liberal elected officials are big advantages for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, the former governor said.

"It's a steep climb" for the presumptive Repubican nominee John McCain, Ridge said. "Nobody is operating under any illusions or delusions."

Those caveats aside, however, arguably the state's most high-profile Republican remains very upbeat about his friend U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) chances in the Keystone State this fall. Most analysts consider Pennsylvania critical to McCain's general election success, and GOP officials have said no state will receive more attention this fall from the candidate than Pennsylvania.

McCain appeals to independents and independent thinkers, Ridge said, and Pennsylvania has plenty of each, particularly in the southwest.

"I think of all the Republican candidates involved in the primary, the only candidate that would have an appeal to independents" is McCain, he said.

"John has been my friend for 25 years," he said. "He has enormous appeal on both sides of the aisles. Getting that message out is going to be critical."

The former governor has been rumored as a potential vice president candidate for senator from Arizona.

Ridge said he's unaware if he's being vetted a vice presidential candidate.

"John and I have had no conversations about it," he said. "When John lets me know, I'll have more to say. If John lets me know."

Ridge did say he thinks McCain will pick a vice presidential candidate he has a good personal relationship with and one who will have the strength to disagree with him.

He said he's open to a cabinet position with McCain, but he can't say the same if Obama offered him a spot.

"We don't align philosophically on too many issues, so the answer is no," Ridge said.

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