Some praise is likely unwelcome. Former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell (D) recently spoke highly of Rick Santorum’s ability to federal dollars into his home state while in Congress. Rendell, who was governor when Santorum was in the Senate, appreciated the money he brought to the state for transportation — but the praise is likely ammunition for Santorum’s opponents trying to paint him as a big earmarker and spender. (h/t The Hill).
“He understood that those type of earmarks translated into jobs and investment,” Rendell said in the interview. “So I think there’s a practical side to Rick that didn’t come through in Pennsylvania quite enough. But I think where he will eventually be tripped up are some of the things that he said that make you shake your head.”