Could Pennsylvania be the keystone to the vice presidency?

Both Tom Ridge and Ed Rendell are reported as in the hunt to be on the national tickets of their parties’ presidential nominees. Ridge is Pennsylvania’s former two-term Republican governor and one-time national homeland security director; Rendell is now in his second term as the state’s Democrat governor.

Both are very popular in their own rights -- and very effective politicians. Yet they have never met on a political battleground.

But what if their parties’ nominees were to pick them as their wingmen?

“It would be the dramatic match-up that Pennsylvanians never got to see,” says GOP political strategist John Brabender.

Brabender gives an ever-so-slight edge to Ridge, based on his national experience, but says Rendell’s turn as head of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 recount and his stunning barnstorming for Clinton in Pennsylvania in April probably keeps that edge slim.

“Rendell’s strong suit is his likability factor and his ability to be extremely quick on his feet,” he says. “He does it in a way that is clearly not scripted. Whatever he says is truly what he believes.”

Brabender says Rendell is not someone you manage, who says whatever he thinks, and that might deter Barack Obama from picking him -- “which would be unfortunate, because Rendell is a brilliant politician.”

Rendell passed on a race against Ridge in 1998, instead heading off to the DNC. For his part, Ridge went out of his way to avoid political contact with the man then known as “America’s Mayor.”

But destiny may finally bring them face to face as opponents.

So why would Barack Obama pick Ed Rendell? Well, since Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland scratched himself off the list and since Virginia Sen. Jim Webb’s blunt comments about Confederate viewpoints eliminate him, Obama needs to snag a leader who can bring victory in a critical swing state.

Enter Rendell, who brings effective campaign skills, unparalleled Clinton loyalty, no Washington-Beltway baggage and the experience to help Obama win and govern.

And why would John McCain pick Tom Ridge? Continued...