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Opinion: Obama mishandling Blagojevich scandal: Ed Rendell

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Really interesting video here below for you today. It’s from ‘Morning Joe’ on MSNBC and shows a most intriguing conversation with Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell (former Democratic National Committee chair and ardent Hillary Clinton supporter).

Rendell, analyzing what could possibly have happened for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to act the way he allegedly did, talks about the inside realities of politics -- the real-life temptations financial and perquisite-wise that come with a big public office and a salary a fraction the size of those seeking its favors and approval.

Rendell’s got some candid observations here too about President-elect Barack Obama and his mishandling of the state scandal now surrounding his former political ally, Blagojevich.

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Rendell’s pointed criticism of Obama: Perhaps because the new president has never had any executive-level experience, as with a governorship, he’s let the issue of any Blagojevich connection or non-connection with his team hang around way too long.

Could have made it a one-day story by saying: ‘I never talked to the governor, but, of course, my staff did on this day, this day and that day. But as you can tell from the governor’s swearing about me, we were never a part of any dealmaking. Period.’

End of story. Or at least the Obama team’s connection to the ‘pay-to-play’ U.S. Senate nomination.

‘Politicians are always misjudging the intelligence of the American people,’ says Rendell, who’s known for his blunt collegial critiques.

Instead, now the story continues as long as Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a close friend of the governor’s who inherited Blagojevich’s House seat, remains as locked up as Joe Biden was through most of the fall campaign.

Listen to Rendell. It’s worth the few minutes. Leave your comments below.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Hat Tip to our pals over at the Swamp.

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