Report: Rendell tapped for DNC post

Mayor Ed Rendell, whose term ends this year, is said to be interested in the offer. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell has reportedly been approached by Vice President Al Gore and other senior officials in the Democratic party about assuming a top post with the Democratic National Committee. While Rendell -- who has become close to the vice president and presidential candidate over the years -- has acknowledged that while he had talked with Gore and other party members, there had been no formal job offer. Rendell spokesperson Kevin Feeley said the party has inquired about Rendell's interest, but said the outgoing mayor would only be receptive to such a position under several conditions --Ethere would have to be a firm offer, a vacancy and he'd "have to do it on his own terms." But Feeley added that "these are not insurmountable roadblocks." The Washington Post, which broke the story last week, reported that Rendell's key attraction is his impressive fundraising ability -- he has raised about $14 million for the Clinton-Gore campaign, the DNC, state and local democratic candidates and his two mayoral campaigns. Rendell's term expires at the end of the year, and he is barred by city law from running for a third term. The DNC and Gore are trying to compete financially with the Republican presidential frontrunner, Texas Gov. George W. Bush -- who already has $50 million in the bank. Gore has raised less than half that, and may have a tough primary battle against former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. The DNC could definitely use the charismatic Rendell's fundraising skills. The party is becoming increasingly worried about Bush, who has opted out of the presidential matching funds system -- meaning his spending during the election will be unrestricted. It is not yet clear if Rendell would replace the current DNC general chairperson, former Colorado governor Roy Romer, or assume another senior role. Rendell has said he would not seriously consider working for the DNC until his term ends three months from now. But it may be an attractive option for him in January. Rendell caught Gore's attention with his financial triumphs in Philadelphia. The mayor has raised money for his own campaign fund, for Democratic mayoral candidate John Street and helped amass $450,000 at a Gore fundraiser in Philadelphia at the Wyndham Franklin Hotel last June. Rendell is widely believed to have a bright political future in state or national politics. His friendship with Gore could earn him a Cabinet-level post should the vice president win the presidency, and he is also considered likely to enter Pennsylvania's 2002 gubernatorial election. Rendell was asked to head the DNC in 1994, midway through his first term as mayor. He is currently planning to teach a course at Penn next semester about urban politics. It is not known how an appointment to the DNC would affect those plans.

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