Rendell: Don't Count Clinton Out

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA. -- During a campaign rally just north of Philadelphia in a highly industrial part of Pennsylvania, the campaign message was simple: Hillary Clinton is a fighter. The point was reinforced by the music that brought Clinton to the stage: “Eye of the Tiger,” a song made popular by the boxing movie “Rocky III.” Clinton was introduced by Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., who told the crowd that calls for Clinton to drop out of the race are "ridiculous.”

With March Madness upon us as college basketball teams battle out for the NCAA championship, politicians and supporters have taken to using the games as political analogies to the current climate of the campaign trail.

“This is a basketball game,” Rendell said, “and we’re about 2 points behind with about 8 minutes to go and we’re going to come roaring back and win this thing.” Clinton stood by nodding her head as the crowd cheered.

Rendell said Clinton has been counted out before and she has come “roaring back.” He pointed to her victories in New Hampshire, Super Tuesday, Ohio and Texas saying Pennsylvanians are going to have a “deafening noise for the nation on April 22nd,” the date of the Pennsylvania primary.

When choosing which candidate to endorse, Rendell said he looked at each of their positions closely. “I looked at all their position papers and I would give Senator Obama and Senator Edwards a solid B+. I teach at Penn and I grade papers, Hillary Clinton got an A+.”

The rally at Keystone Industrial Port Complex was largley attended, primarily by union workers. When Clinton took the microphone she delivered her usual stump speech, getting the crowd fiery when she said Americans have to start working together again. Clinton said some people “wring their hands” while others “roll up their sleeves.” She pointed out that if you “are wringing your hands, you can’t roll up your sleeves.”

Clinton is scheduled to make several campaign stops in Pennsylvania tomorrow.