On May 3, 2014, former-Governor Ed Rendell held a press conference, asking the Democratic gubernatorial primary candidates to refrain from mudslinging and focus on issues. We applaud Mr. Rendell for encouraging civility during a competitive political discourse.
Rock the Capital would like to take a moment and remind our readers that Mr. Rendell was known for serving up less than civil, and often spicy, responses to his critics, the media and political opponents when he was Governor from 2003-2011. We ranked Governor Rendell’s ten most infamous meltdowns, outbursts and uncivil responses.
10) “Imbeciles.”
In July 0f 2007, Governor Rendell snapped out on the Commonwealth Foundation’s criticism of his budget: “What these imbeciles don’t understand is that most cost drivers in a budget, you don’t control.”
Matt Brouillette, CEO of the Foundation responded, “Clearly the governor’s mathematically challenged because a budget at $26.1 billion and the growth to $27.494 billion even by a third-grader’s calculation is 5.3 percent.”
9)“Sometimes we adhere to the speed limit, sometimes we don’t.
On April 26, 2007 Governor Rendell admitted, “Sometimes we adhere to the speed limit, sometimes we don’t.” Between November 2003 and March 2004, Pennsylvania State Toppers recorded Fast Eddy’s state-police chauffeured Cadillac traveling 100 mph or faster on nine separate occasions.
8) “Certifiable.”
In 2007 Senator Mike Folmer made the mistake of sponsoring legislation to limit spending increases to about 3.2 percent. In July 2007, Mr Rendell said of Senator Folmer: “He’s certifiable.”
7) “Janet’s perfect for that job. Because for that job, you have to have no life.”
On December 2, 2008, Gov. Ed Rendell commented on former Arizona Governor’s Janet Napolitano appointment to head the Department of Homeland Security. “Janet’s perfect for that job. Because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family. Perfect. She can devote, literally, 19, 20 hours a day to it.”
6) “One of the best 10 people I’ve met.”
In September 2007, Mr. Rendell commented on disgraced fundraiser, Rendell campaign contributor and convicted felon – Norman Hsu. Rendell defended his friend and described him as “one of the best 10 people I’ve met.” Then Hsu skipped bail and Rendell decided to donate Hsu’s $40,000 campaign donation to a charity.
5) “A deep sense of social responsibility.”
In 2009 Governor Rendell was a “character reference” in support of Vince Fumo prior to sentencing. Although Fumo spied on Rendell; and was “ruthless” according to the Governor, ” Mr. Rendell also said the former Senator had “a deep sense of social responsibility.”
4) “Snow Job.”
In 2010 Mr. Rendell responded to media inquiries as to why he was spending so much visible time with Kristin Snow, and if he was having an affair. Rendell responded, “I should go out and find an unattractive woman to have an affair with.”
Dr. Kristin Snow, aka the former Ms. Pennsylvania, was the state’s Director of Commonwealth Media Services when Mr. Rendell was Governor. She currently serves as his spokeswoman.
3) “Eric Epstein is about as mentally stable as that guy who ate all those people.”
The Governor’s responded to Eric Epstein’s assessment of Mr. Rendell’s political agenda in the “Philadelphia Inquirer” on July 12, 2007. Mr. Epstein had stated, “I think he believes he has a mandate to pillage, but he won 61 percent of the vote against an empty suit last year and he didn’t have a clear agenda until June 30.”
Governor Rendell said, “Eric Epstein is about as mentally stable as that guy who ate all those people.”
Epstein countered, “I invited the governor to my home for the first night of Passover. He declined. I thought it was due to scheduling. How was I supposed to know that the governor was allergic to Chianti and fava beans.”
2) “Simpletons” and “Idiots.”
On January 9, 2011, Governor Rendell melted down after Leslie Stahl asked him on “60 Minutes if he was concerned about the harmful impact of legalized gambling on gambling addicts.
Rendell: “Well, if they were going to lose it anyway, let’s get the upside. . . You’re a very smart person.”
Stahl: “But not now.”
Rendell: “But you’re not getting it.”
Stahl: “I’m dumb now.”
Rendell: “You’re not getting it. Those people would lose that money anyway. Don’t you understand? You guys don’t get that. You’re simpletons. You’re idiots if you don’t get that.”
1) “Butt-kissing.”
On August 27, 2006, Mr. Rendell explained to some Bucks County business people why he signed off on the 2005 Pay Raise.
“If I didn’t sign it [pay raise bill], I might have been governor for the next five years, but I would have gotten nothing done, literally, because I need the cooperation of the Legislature. I’ve had remarkable success in getting seven major initiatives enacted into law … so you have to kiss a little butt.”
Photo by Ted Van Pelt