Jan 23, 2008 1:40 pm US/Eastern
Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell Endorses Hillary Clinton
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said Wednesday he is backing Hillary Clinton for president, a key endorsement in a delegate-rich state that could be critical if the race remains unresovled after Super Tuesday.
Rendell said he likes Clinton's health care plans and thinks she has developed well as a senator. The governor was in Carlisle to attend a law school building groundbreaking.
A formal announcement was planned for an afternoon event in Philadelphia with Mayor Michael Nutter, who earlier had endorsed the New York senator.
Pennsylvania's primary is April 22.
Rendell's ties to the Clintons include having served in 2000 as general chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a position made possible by then-President Bill Clinton.
Sen. Clinton endorsed Rendell's re-election at a June 2006 "Women for Rendell" event in the Philadelphia suburb of Narberth, but in recent months the governor has dodged questions about his preference for the Democratic nomination.Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton will visit Philadelphia Wednesday for a campaign rally outside City Hall.
Following the Philadelphia event, Clinton is scheduled to attend events in Bergen County, New Jersey, where according to the latest Quinnipiac poll, she leads among likely male and female voters.
According to the independent Quinnipiac University poll, "Senator Obama leads among black Democratic likely primary voters 62 - 27 percent, while Senator Clinton leads among whites 54 - 23 percent. Clinton also leads 54 - 28 percent among women and 44 - 36 percent among men."
The New Jersey presidential primary will be held February 5 for candidates in both parties.
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