Rendell rallies campaign workers at party

"America's Mayor" held a campaign kick-off at his campaign headquarters in Center City yesterday. Amidst cheers, the 70 volunteers and campaign staffers piled into the the office in the Suburban Station building to greet Mayor Ed Rendell. The workers were also treated to traditional Philadelphia fare, including hoagies, pizza and pretzels. And although many political observers say Rendell is a shoe-in for re-election, Rendell said campaigning is still crucial. Currently Rendell faces no challengers in the Democratic party, which will hold its primary in May, but Michael Rocks announced his candidacy for mayor on the Republican ticket last week. One possible challenger had been Republican attorney Richard Glanton, who was investigating the possibility of switching his party affiliation to run against the mayor in the primary. But Glanton announced this week that he would stay out of the race. The mayor said that while television commercials are an important medium for his message, going out on the streets and talking to people is the most effective method. "People get people out to the poles," Rendell said. And although many supporters said Rendell is unstoppable, they cautioned against being overconfident about his chances. "I think you can never say it's all over," Chris Dwyer, a volunteer, said. "His chances are fantastic, but you don't want to take anything for granted." The mayor said one of his greatest achievements was not laying off city workers or cutting their pay. "We were able to accomplish a financial miracle without laying off people and having pay cuts," Rendell said. After Rendell finished his brief address, one man began to chant "four more years" and the crowd erupted into applause. Wharton and Engineering sophomore Eugene Huang, a Rendell campaign worker, said the mayor's accomplishments will serve him well in his re-election bid. "Rendell has done fabulous things for the city," Huang said. "He rescued the city from insolvency in an incredibly short time. He's Philadelphia's biggest cheerleader." John Ross, a resident of West Philadelphia, said the mayor has done a lot for the University City area. "I think he will do well," Ross said. "He's an accessible mayor."

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