Ed Rendell strolled onto College Green late yesterday afternoon, with his hands laying casually in his suit pockets and his chest boasting a festive pumpkin-laden tie. It was of no significance to the crowd that he arrived 40 minutes late, as around 100 students began simultaneously clapping and chanting "Edd-ie."
Two Penn students, growing tired of the wait, had retired to a nearby bench.
"For all his virtues, he cannot be on time," one said.
But even they immediately sprung to their feet upon his arrival, determined to be a part of the unified chant.
Yesterday's rally on College Green was sponsored by the College Democrats, who finally succeeded in stealing Rendell for a brief visit, five days before the election.
As Rendell made his way around the 50 or so VOTE RENDELL signs, he was boldly introduced as "America's governor," a derivative of the title bestowed on him by former Vice President Al Gore as "America's Mayor."
He jokingly stated that one of his rivals for mayor had thrown this same title in his face by dubbing himself Philadelphia's Mayor, implying that Rendell was more concerned about national affairs. Luckily for Rendell, the word games did not carry import, since Rendell retained his office.
Rendell said that his day in the sun eventually came to an end when Gore bestowed the same title upon the mayor of Chicago, an incident that never fails to surface during his occasional brushes with the former vice president.
Still, Rendell must win the governorship of Pennsylvania before he can take on the title of America's governor.
Most of the students in attendance said that they were certain that Rendell would be the winner of Tuesday's election.
"I figured that since [former] Governor [Tom] Ridge is now working for the government, this says that Pennsylvania is an important state," College of General Studies student Chris Wilson said. "You never know what he'll end up doing. I just want to say that I saw him speak."
Penn students are not the only ones wearing Rendell buttons.
Upon being stopped by a TV reporter as he descended from the platform, Rendell comically mentioned that a ribs restaurant had recently opened across the street from the governor's mansion, leading him to believe that even they are making bets on his success.
Rendell said that it thrilled him to be greeted by such a large audience.
According to him, the 18 to 33 year old age bracket has the most at stake in this election, yet it has often frustrated him that these voters are the ones lagging at the polls.
He pointed out that major issues like global warming have little impact on his age group, while being of premier importance to young people.
Additionally, social security, a topic that most college students hardly concern themselves with, will eventually impact this under-represented body the most, he said.
"If the 18 to 33 group voted at the same percentages as 65 and up, they could dominate the elections," Rendell said.
Rendell visited Penn after making his rounds at other Pennsylvania schools. He said that while university students are an extremely precious resource, their mass exodus from the state upon graduating is a tragedy.
"Pennsylvania is the second oldest state in the U.S... it's because we are losing young people," he said.
Rendell claimed that there was a time when Pennsylvania was highly ranked in its growth statistics, with its world-class coal, steel and railroad industries shooting it to the top. But amidst current technological leaps and bounds, coal and steel have not had the same potential they once did.
"We never changed," Rendell said, attributing the disappointing numbers to this phenomenon.
But Rendell gave the state its due by pointing out that along with California, Pennsylvania is the science capital of the world, a status which he claims that he contributed to as mayor in promoting the University City Science Center.
Ultimately, Rendell claims he cannot wait to roll up his sleeves and attack the problems he speaks about week after week during his political campaign, which started in January 2001.
College junior Christina Schoppert said that having had a class taught by Rendell during her freshman year, she has a deeper understanding of the personality behind the political mask.
"He is a funny guy," she said. "And he doesn't just talk about his ideas like other politicians... he really believes them."
College Democrats President Arshad Hasan said that Rendell's visit reminded people that politicians are still paying attention to student issues.
"It was hard to get him here, but he had to come since Penn is such an important place for him, having attended here and taught here," the College senior said.
At any rate, Rendell still plans on teaching a class next semester. And although it is a long shot at this point, if things do not go his way at the polls, he claimed that he might even teach two.
