"Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell acknowledged today that if John McCain names former Gov. Tom Ridge as his running mate in the coming days, it will have a discernible impact on the presidential race in the Keystone State.
Citing a new Quinnipiac poll that showed Barack Obama leading McCain 49 percent to 42 percent, Rendell said that adding Ridge to the ticket would shrink the Democrat's lead to four or five points.
"People think if their home state guy is on the ticket, then they will get more from Washington," explained Rendell who called Ridge a "friend."
Rendell said that the story of Obama's campaign to date in Pennsylvania is of unfulfilled potential.
The Democratic candidate "hasn't done a good job yet of giving those white working class voters a reason to come home," said Rendell. "Before I can tell you Pennsylvania is in the bag we have to do a better job with our message."
Because Rendell is a Dem, you might be skeptical of him. But keep in mind, 1). He's not afraid to speak his mind, 2). He's really a Hillary guy, and 3). He is one of the sharpest political minds in the business.